China’s J-10C fighters are trending after Pakistan claimed to have used the Chinese-origin 4.5-generation combat jet to shoot down Indian warplanes, including multiple Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
The Indian government has not made an official confirmation/denial, but did mention that combat losses are part of any military operation. This hints at something that might have happened during India’s raid on Pakistan on the night of May 6.
India’s silence has added fuel to the fire with multiple western reports, including CNN, Reuters, Washington Post, etc, claiming the shootdown of two to three Indian fighter jets.
Now, South Korean media, Chosun Daily, is concerned with the alleged success of the J-10C fighters.
Is South Korea Worried?
Chinese J-10C fighter jets participated in Eagles of Civilization 2025 joint air drills in Egypt, which many saw as a potential offer to the country.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced the China-Egypt joint air force training, code-named “Eagles of Civilization 2025,” from mid-April to early May, on April 16.
“This is the first joint training between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries, which is of great significance to promoting pragmatic cooperation and enhancing mutual trust and friendship between the two militaries,” the statement read.
The exercise followed months of speculation about Egypt’s potential purchase of J-10C aircraft. These jets have been compared to upgraded versions of the US F-16 Fighting Falcon, which were also deployed for joint training.
However, Egypt could be interested in South Korean jets.
According to the latest reports, the Egyptian ambassador to South Korea, Khaled Abdelrahman, stated that his country is looking to buy 100 FA-50 fighter jets and expects a technology transfer.
The Egyptian ambassador reportedly said the discussions between the two sides have progressed positively after months of negotiations. “We hope the technical and detailed discussions between our institutions and Korean firms will lead to a successful outcome,” Abdelrahman was quoted as saying.
According to reports, Egypt could place an initial order for 36 of the 100 aircraft. The rest could be constructed in Helwan, Egypt.
Meanwhile, South Korean media say that after Egypt recently conducted its first air force joint exercise with China, there are speculations that Cairo could import the Chinese J-10C aircraft.
The report claims (obviously sans evidence) that the J-10C recently gained attention after Pakistan shot down India’s cutting-edge French fighter jet during a military clash.
The report adds that if Egypt buys the Chinese J-10C, it will adversely impact the export negotiations for Korea Aerospace Industries’ FA-50 light combat aircraft.
The report says the J-10C’s combat performance was noticed worldwide during the recent India-Pakistan hostilities. Notably, Pakistan is the only country to have imported the J-10C so far.
If Egypt chooses J-10C over FA-50, the South Korean fighter jet’s export potential could be negatively impacted. Notably, the FA-50 has already won significant export orders from Poland, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
The Chengdu J-10C and KAI FA-50 are both advanced 4.5-generation multirole fighter jets, but they serve different roles and cater to distinct operational needs.
The J-10C is a high-performance fighter for air superiority and multirole missions in contested environments. It outclasses the FA-50 in speed, range, avionics, and weaponry.
However, the FA-50’s affordability, ease of maintenance, and compatibility with Western systems make it a better fit for Egypt’s current needs, particularly for replacing trainers and supporting light attack roles.
The J-10C’s combat potential is offset by higher costs and geopolitical concerns, while the FA-50’s export success underscores its appeal for budget-conscious air forces. Egypt’s likely choice of the FA-50 reflects practical considerations, but the J-10C remains a strong contender if Egypt seeks a more capable F-16 alternative.
The Rise Of The Chinese Vigorous Dragon
The recent claims of J-10C fighters overwhelming Indian Rafale fighters could make it a strong contender for Egypt and many others keen to modernize their fighter jet fleet.
Even though India has not officially accepted losing any fighter jet, the international media seem to have concluded that New Delhi lost at least one Rafale in the battle against Chinese-made J-10C fighters.
British newspaper The Daily Telegraph published a speculative report on how the Chinese fighter jets stunned the French Rafale, one of the most capable 4.5-generation fighter jets.
It said that the “sleek and silent” J-10C, armed with PL-15 missiles, “Mach 5 hunters with over 300 km range,” is a formidable combination.
“One Rafale—valued at over $250 million—was reportedly shot down mid-air. Another barely made it back. The Spectra EW system, designed to protect it, was overwhelmed. The PL-15 didn’t come with radar—it came with AI-guided silence,” it said, adding that the Rafales never got a lock, never even saw their adversary.
The report claims that after India lost one Rafale to a Chinese fighter jet, it grounded its Rafale fleet and kept them 300 km away from the border.
The J-10C, armed with PL-15 missiles, turned Rafales into a US$250 million sitting duck, it said.
“No Spectra system can counter a missile it never detects. No EW suite can spoof a missile fed by satellite data. No fighter jet can outrun the death it doesn’t see coming,” it added.
Since these reports, the shares of China’s Avic Chengdu Aircraft (CAC) have surged over 60%, while the shares of Dassault Aviation have declined over 7% in the last week.
Interestingly, CAC’s shares later came crashing down after PM Modi’s ‘fiery’ speech on the successful completion of Operation Sindoor.
- Via: ET Desk
- Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
