The J-10C fighter is a type of PLA J-10 series fighters. First of all, let's review the development history of the J-10 series fighters. In the seventies and eighties of the last century, the PLA Navy and Air Force were mainly equipped with J-6 and J-7 fighters. At the same time, the United States, the Soviet Union, France and other world powers have successively launched F16, F15, F14, MiG-29, Su-27, Mirage 2000 and other first-class fighters. In order to catch up with the world's advanced level, China launched the famous J-10 fighter project in 1986.
However, the development of the J-10 fighter has not been smooth sailing, and it has gone through various difficulties and obstacles, and even faced the danger of being terminated. It was not until the beginning of the 21st century that the J-10 fighter was finalized, and mass production began in 2004, successively equipping the PLA Navy and Air Force. In 2006, the J-10A fighter made its first appearance in news reports. At the same time, Pakistan is also equipped with J-10CE fighters. Due to the technical level and various restrictions at that time, the J-10A fighter did not use the domestic Taihang series engine, but chose the Russian-made AL31L series engine.
In terms of radar, the J-10A fighter uses the KLJ-3 mechanical scanning flat-panel slit radar. At the beginning of the 21st century, this configuration was justified. In the first few years, the J-10A fighter was considered one of the most comprehensive fighters in China. In terms of its air combat capabilities, it significantly surpassed the Su-27SK and J-11A fighters of that time. With the comprehensive development of China's science and technology and the improvement of the economic level, after 2010, China further developed the J-10B, J-10C and other models on the basis of the J-10A fighter.
Among them, the air combat capability of the J-10C fighter has reached the standard four-and-a-half-generation level, alongside late models such as the Typhoon, Rafale, and F16. Compared with the earliest J-10A fighter, the J-10C fighter is equipped with a new generation of domestic active phased array radar, and at the same time adopts a turbofan 10B engine with stronger thrust, and its comprehensive combat capability has been comprehensively improved. According to foreign ** reports, by the end of 2022, China has produced more than 700 J-10 fighters and equipped them with PLA Air Force and Naval Aviation units.
Among them, there are more than 300 J-10A fighters, more than 50 J-10B fighters, and more than 300 J-10C fighters, totaling more than 700 aircraft. The J-10C fighter is not only in service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army, but also has become the main fighter of the Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan plans to introduce 60 J-10CE fighters from China, and the first batch of 20 has been delivered. However, the J-10C fighter faces a series of challenges and problems when exporting to other countries. First of all, the J-10 series fighters are medium-sized fighters with a combat radius of about 1200 km.
Compared with heavy fighters such as J-16, Su-30, Su-35, F15, etc., there is a significant gap between medium-sized fighters in terms of range and combat radius. For many countries with large land or sea areas, they prefer to use heavy fighters because they have a longer range and a larger combat radius, which is conducive to long-term patrols. However, at the moment our country does not have a heavy fighter designed specifically for export. In the international market, various versions of the F15 in the United States, as well as in the Russian Su-30 and Su-35 series, dominate.
In the field of medium-sized fighters, the J-10C fighter faces a series of strong competitors, such as the French Rafale, F16Block72, etc. Although the J-10C fighter is not inferior to the above-mentioned fighters in air combat capabilities, its multi-purpose capabilities are insufficient. For countries with limited land area and no need for heavy fighters, medium fighters are more suitable. However, these countries have limited economic strength and prefer to choose multi-role fighters to save costs.
The J-10 fighter, as a homeland defense fighter designed in the 80s, is mainly positioned for air combat, although a series of capabilities were added later, but its basic design is difficult to change. After using the J-10CE fighter, the Pakistan Air Force summed up the advantages and disadvantages of the J-10C fighter. It has strong radar performance, advanced missile performance, and outstanding vertical maneuverability. A new generation of phased array radars is installed, capable of firing Thunderbolt-15 medium- and long-range air-to-air missiles and Thunderbolt-10 short-range combat missiles.
As a fighter with a triangular canard layout, the J-10C series fighters have strong directional and vertical maneuverability, and are not inferior when competing for air supremacy with four-and-a-half-generation fighters. However, the J-10CE fighter has a limited payload capacity and insufficient multi-purpose capabilities. The J-10 series fighters have deficiencies in horizontal maneuverability, and the continuous power needs to be strengthened. Limited by a maximum load capacity of about 7 tons, its potential cannot be fully unleashed. In a fierce air battle, the J-10 fighter's propulsion energy will be quickly depleted, greatly weakening its maneuverability.
Therefore, some countries with limited economic strength prefer to choose the American F16 fighter series or the French Rafale fighter, because these two fighters have more prominent multi-purpose capabilities. So, which countries are suitable for the export version of the J-10C fighter?First of all, it is suitable for potential users who have urgent air combat needs, especially fierce air combat needs. Secondly, it is suitable for potential users who have a limited land area and do not need to conduct long-distance operations. Third, it is suitable for countries that are already equipped with other types of multi-purpose fighters and can form a mutual cooperation mode with the J-10C fighter.
Therefore, the potential export objects of the J-10C fighter are limited in many ways. In addition, many countries have established a complete repair and maintenance system for American or French fighters, so the introduction of J-10C fighters may increase the logistical pressure. However, the J-10C fighter is not without export opportunities, and some West Asian countries, Gulf countries and some African countries may become potential export targets. These countries have real air combat needs, are already equipped with other types of multi-role fighters, and have considerable economic power.
Therefore, the introduction of China's J-10C fighters is conducive to further enhancing the overall combat capability of their air forces for these countries. As for the PLA's J-20 fighters and J-35 fighters, they are also gradually maturing and developing.