The Pakistan Air Force on Friday inducted the single-engine multi-role combat aircraft Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets during a ceremony held at the Minhas Air Force Base, Kamra.
Prime Minister Imran Khan attended the induction ceremony along with Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi, as well as the Chinese ambassador and key ministers.
PM Congratulated nation on J-10C’s induction
Imran Khan, while addressing the ceremony, congratulated the nation on the induction of the latest fighter jet technology in the Pakistan Air Force. He also thanked 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.
He also expressed confidence that any aggressor would pay a heavy price for testing Pakistan’s defence capabilities, adding that the real strength of the armed forces is a united nation with a synchronised vision.
Pakistan has purchased a total of 25 J-10CEs from China. The first batch inducted included six J10C aircraft.
“With the delivery of the J-10CEs, China and Pakistan opened a new chapter in aviation defense cooperation, and it will significantly contribute to the further deepening of the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership”, said the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
Distinguishing Features of J-10CE:
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
A strong Rival of India’s Rafale fighter jet
Earlier, while talking to the media, Executive Chief Editor of the Chinese magazine, Shipborne Weapons Shi Hong said, “It can rival the Rafale fighter jet that recently entered service with the Indian Air Force”.
Pakistan’s J-10CE will not replace the JF-17, but form a combination, leading to higher combat capabilities, Shi pointed out.
J10C vs F-16
The J-10CE is not only more powerful than the lightweight JF-17 because of its bigger size, it is also more powerful than Pakistan’s old US-made F-16 fighter, Shi Hong, Executive Chief Editor of the Chinese magazine, Shipborne Weapons, told the Global Times in a previous interview.
PM inspected the aircraft
The official Twitter handle of PM’s Office tweeted the photographs of PM Imran Khan inspecting the newly arrived J-10 CE.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan inspected the modern fighter aircraft #J10C after their formal induction into Pakistan Air Force at Kamra Base”, the statement said.
