The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) formally inducted China-made modern fighter aircraft J-10C into its air fleet during a ceremony held at Minhas Air Base, Kamra on Friday.
Prime Minister Imran Khan accompanied by various other government officials, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and the Chinese ambassador attended the inauguration ceremony of multi-role combat aircraft at the special invitation of the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu.
Independently produced by China’s aviation industry, J-10CE is an all-weather, single-seat, single-engine, fourth-plus generation, multirole fighter jet.
A total of 25 J-10C fighter jets will be delivered to Pakistan from China in a major boost to the country’s military capabilities to defend airspace, according to a foreign news agency.
“J-10C is a fully integrated weapon, avionic and combat system and its induction into PAF would further strengthen its professional capabilities,” The Air Chief said while speaking at the ceremony. He further said that the occasion is a testimony to the will of Chinese leadership and support for Pakistan.
J-10C features:
J-10CE is independently produced by China’s aviation industry and is an all-weather, single-seat, single-engine, fourth-plus generation, multirole fighter jet.
- It excels at systematic, cooperative combat
- The jet is capable of striking multiple targets from beyond visual range under complex electromagnetic environment
- It can deliver precision attacks on ground targets with multiple guidance modes
- The aircraft is equipped with advanced comprehensive avionics and weapon systems
- Boasts outstanding mid-to-low altitude combat maneuverability
- Is capable of supersonic flight, short-range takeoff and landing, large combat radius, long range
- Mid-air refueling capabilities present
Imran Khan congratulates the nation
Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the nation on the induction of the new J-10C multi-role combat aircraft and also showed gratitude towards China for delivering the fighter jets to Pakistan in a short period of eight months.
“When F-16s were inducted 40 years ago, the whole nation was jubilant and now that time has come again as Pakistan is strengthening itself. There was an attempt to create an imbalance in the region however, the induction of the fighter aircraft has again created equilibrium”, he said.
The premier also acknowledged and lauded the PAF’s No 15 Squadron for expediting the induction of the J-10C aircraft in record time.
According to a Chinese analyst, “The J-10C will significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force.”
“The J-10C is a 4.5-generation medium-size fighter jet and is more powerful than the China-Pakistan jointly developed lightweight fighter jet, the JF-17, which is currently in service with the Pakistan Air Force,” Shi Hong, Executive Chief Editor of the Chinese magazine, Shipborne Weapons said while talking to an international news agency.