J-10CE in Azerbaijani Colours: China Pitches Its Fighter at ADEX 2026

[KingQamaR]

Now that Azerbaijan is on the JF17C and J10CE path, they have a very clear and easy to integrate path towards the J-35AE which will become a plug-and-play affair into their backbone. A lot of what is required to get the "best" out of the PL15E range interms of datalinks, long range radars and integration will also apply to what the J-35AE needs to get the best out of it which includes the long range radars on the HQ-9BE etc.

Russia cannot compete with the level of integration and Russia does not really have an AEW&C/AWACs for sale either right now.

Azerbaijan seems to be adopting a turn-key China ecosystem for her air-defence that is highly integrated.

Azerbaijan neighbours will struggle with the Azerbaijani air force in the near future for this reason.

Just a off point

I think the Russian mistake was not developing a 4.5 generation single-engine aircraft, to continue with the Soviet tradition. Not everyone needs a twin engine aircraft?

 

[KingQamaR]

poster ALI_Baba comment is spot on

China is winning because it offers a full range, from JF17 to J10 to J35, while Russia has big, aging Flankers and sanctions pressure. Combat credibility from 2025 helped, though the J35 deal remains unconfirmed for PAF .

 

[wangdefa]

Azerbaijan faces very little pressure, and even the J-10C is already a fighter jet beyond their needs. I don't think they need 5G; some JF-17b3 would be enough.

The Turkic alliance has failed, Azerbaijan has parted ways with Turkey, and as the balance of victory in the Russia-Ukraine conflict increasingly tilts toward Russia, Western support is dwindling. It is very realistic that Russia's influence will return to the Caucasus region. All the aircraft purchases and military bases that Turkey boasted about in Azerbaijan have not materialized.

The Caucasus region and five Central Asian countries are all trying to break free from Russian influence, but they must also deal with potential Russian retaliation. China is the best choice. We have good relations with Russia and are also a major nuclear power in both economic and military terms.

 

[Shui]

Can you believe it, inn our adult life times, China went from getting Russian systems in order to reverse engineer to now being a whole generation ahead of Russia and it took them less then 20 years....

we will together witness more suprises in coming years.