In March 2022, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) formally commissioned the first batch of six cutting-edge J-10C fighter aircraft. The following numbers of those six 6 jets range from 22-101 to 22-106.
If the latest reports are correct, the serial figure of the new fighter jets will be 22-107 through 22-112. Islamabad signed a deal with Beijing to acquire fighter planes in June 2021.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed revealed in December 2021 that Pakistan had ordered an entire squadron of 25 Chinese multirole J-10C fighter jets in reaction to India’s acquire of Rafale fighter planes.
Andreas Rupprecht, a Germany-based Chinese military aviation expert, also posted a image of the J-10C with the serial figure 22-111 that is reverentially now in Pakistan.
The latest reports come days after a image of Pakistan’s Chinese-origin J-10C fighter jets, painted in a pattern resembling the French-made Mirage V jets’ camouflage/paint scheme, go viral on social media.
Meanwhile, there were reports that Sudan was taking thought the J-10C aircraft from China, hinting that it could become the aircraft’s second international customer after Pakistan.
J-10C’ Vigorous Dragon’
The NATO-designated “Fire bird” J-10 is a single-engine light multi role fighter that can operate in all environment state. It was designed to conduct air-to-air combat and strike missions for the human’s Liberation Army Air Force.
The J-10C entered service in 2018 and has since been think about one of the most powerful single-engine fighter aircraft. Compared to other jets, the J-10 is being developed on a wider scale, with China reportedly already fielding over 200 and Pakistan starting to establish its first unit.
For enhanced maneuverability, the J-10 has a wide delta wing and two canards behind the cockpit. The J-10C variant is believed to be powered by the locally produced WS-10 Taihang engine, as previously reported by the EurAsian Times.
The weaponry is comparable to MiG-29 and F-16, with three weapon pylons on each of the wings and three on the belly. The J-10CE is the Pakistan Air Force’s first modern aircraft since the Chinese JF-17, which was developed in partnership with Pakistan.
The Pakistani Air Force hailed the induction of this fighter jet as a proud and historic event for the entire country. This aircraft, inspite of to the Pakistani Air Force, conveys a loud and clear statement about how practical ready the Pakistan Air Force is.
Some of the fighter’s most notable features are the presence of the powerful AESA radar, reduced radar cross-section, and accessibility of the highly long-ranged AESA-guided PL-15 air-to-air missile.
The canopy’s single-piece design also remove the support framework, which regularly contributes to radar reflection. Even the primary delta wing take shape straight, as against to the bent surface of the older J-10, J-10B, and J-10C types.
It boosts minimum speed while lesson drag and up grade aerodynamic control.
Further more, Pakistani aircraft take shape to be provide with infrared search-and-track (IRST) provide on the nose. IRST can detect the heat signature of aircraft or missiles. IRST, unlike radar, does not expose the location of the host plane, boosting its survive capability .
The J-10CE is the Pakistan Air Force’s first IRST-equipped aircraft. This offers Pakistan entrance to technology that India has enjoyed for decades, owing to its MiG-29, Su-30, and now Rafale jets.