Uzbekistan Showcases J-10CE Fighters in Defence Ministry Video

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s Defence Ministry has released video showing modern combat aircraft flying and conducting aerial manoeuvres, describing the aircraft in its accompanying publication as protecting the country’s airspace. The Uzbek Defence Ministry said.

The video shows three J-10CE fighter jets conducting a joint flight and aerial manoeuvres. At least one aircraft can be identified as a J-10CE in one of the video sequences. The ministry did not provide technical specifications or identify the manufacturer of the aircraft in its publication.

The J-10CE is a modern 4++ generation multirole fighter equipped with an active electronically scanned array radar and capable of carrying modern weapons. It is one of the key export models of China’s aviation industry.

Defence Security Asia said military observers assess Uzbekistan’s interest in Chinese aviation equipment as being linked to the need to modernize its combat aircraft fleet. The country’s fleet continues to rely largely on Soviet-made MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters, many of which have been in service for several decades. Their maintenance has been complicated by issues related to the supply of spare parts and repairs.

According to the publication, the acquisition of J-10CE aircraft would be consistent with Uzbekistan’s policy of developing military-technical cooperation with China. In 2015, Uzbekistan acquired Chinese HQ-9B, FM-90 and KS-1C surface-to-air missile systems.

What is known about the J-10CE fighter

J-10CE is the export version of China’s J-10C fighter, a single-engine multirole aircraft with a tailless canard configuration developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, part of AVIC.

The history of the J-10 family dates back to the 1980s. The first prototype made its maiden flight in 1998, while the basic J-10A variant entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in 2005. The J-10C is the most advanced production version and entered Chinese service in 2018. The J-10CE export variant was approved for foreign sales in 2016.

The aircraft belongs to the 4++ generation of fighters and is designed both for achieving air superiority and for striking ground targets. It is positioned as a more affordable alternative to Western and Russian twin-engine fighters such as the F-16V and Rafale.

One of the key differences from earlier J-10 variants is its active electronically scanned array radar. Depending on the source, the radar is identified as the KLJ-10A or KLJ-7A. It provides increased detection range and the ability to track and engage multiple targets simultaneously. The aircraft is also equipped with a helmet-mounted targeting system and electronic warfare equipment.

The fighter has 11 hardpoints and can carry long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles, PL-12 missiles and short-range PL-10 missiles, as well as various precision-guided munitions for ground targets, including the laser-guided LT-2 air bomb.

Export aircraft delivered to Pakistan are powered by China’s WS-10 Taihang engine, reducing reliance on Russian powerplants. Some variants and earlier batches use the Russian AL-31FN engine. The aircraft’s maximum speed is estimated at about Mach 2.2, while its combat radius is estimated at more than 900 km. Its internal fuel capacity of about 4,950 litres is considered a limiting factor without external fuel tanks.

The estimated price of an individual aircraft is around US$40 million to US$50 million, making it relatively inexpensive compared with Western 4.5-generation fighters. However, some reports estimate that the full package supplied to Pakistan, including aircraft, weapons and pilot training, averaged closer to US$76 million per aircraft.

Pakistan became the first foreign customer for the J-10CE and began receiving the aircraft in 2022. Its initial order was for 20 aircraft, while later reports suggested that the total number, including a second batch, could have reached about 36.

The fighter saw combat during the 2025 India-Pakistan air conflict. Chinese state media and a number of publications claimed that the aircraft’s radar and PL-15 missiles had demonstrated their effectiveness. However, claims concerning aircraft reportedly shot down during the episode remain disputed and have not received independent confirmation from all sides.

Beyond Pakistan, other countries have also expressed interest in the J-10CE. The aircraft has been actively displayed at defence exhibitions, including LIMA 2025 in Malaysia.