PAF pilot highlights how chinese J10C fighters has edged US F16's

[Signalian]

So, do some of our Pakistani friends still insist on comparing a fighter jet that is currently under development with one that is no longer being procured for domestic use and is now produced exclusively for export?

Absolutely. Forum is a medium for discussions.

By the way, why didn’t china speed up procurement of J-10 for PAF last year during the conflict ?

 

[Michael]

By the way, why didn’t china speed up procurement of J-10 for PAF last year during the conflict ?

Why doesn’t Rolls-Royce provide me with a luxury sedan?
Why doesn’t Gulfstream Aerospace provide me with a luxury private jet?
Why doesn’t Hermès provide me with a top-tier handbag?
................

Do you know what? Your viewpoint is utterly absurd!

To date, there is no concrete information indicating that the PAF has placed any follow-up orders for the J-10CE with CATIC. ------ All verified information confirms that the PAF ordered only 20 J-10CE fighter jets from CATIC. All of these aircraft have already been delivered. The order is complete!

Your question is utter nonsense!

 

[Signalian]

Why doesn’t Rolls-Royce provide me with a luxury sedan?
Why doesn’t Gulfstream Aerospace provide me with a luxury private jet?
Why doesn’t Hermès provide me with a top-tier handbag?
................

Do you know what? Your viewpoint is utterly absurd!

To date, there is no concrete information indicating that the PAF has placed any follow-up orders for the J-10CE with CATIC. ------ All verified information confirms that the PAF ordered only 20 J-10CE fighter jets from CATIC. All of these aircraft have already been delivered. The order is complete!

Your question is utter nonsense!

PAF and its pilots don’t think so.

Thinking from PAFs history, or strategically, I think only F-104s had 1 squadron which was considered enough since it wasnt in MRF role unlike Sabres.

Would it be sensible to induct only 1 J-10 squadron ?

 

[Be dazzled]

It's true. Unlike the popular belief, PAF is yet to place a follow up order. Ghizou plant can prepare the additional jets within a year keeping their current pace in mind. We heard they would acquire 40, but nothing on that still.

 

[Michael]

PAF and its pilots don’t think so.

Thinking from PAFs history, or strategically, I think only F-104s had 1 squadron which was considered enough since it wasnt in MRF role unlike Sabres.

Would it be sensible to induct only 1 J-10 squadron ?

You haven’t specified your "country of origin," but given your role as a "think tank consultant," I suspect you might be Pakistani.

You cannot mistake your own fantasies, musings, analyses, or strategies for reality. CATIC isn’t going to supply you with equipment just because you want it—in the same way that Rolls-Royce, Gulfstream, or Hermès wouldn’t immediately provide me with their products simply because I "want" them.

You have to take concrete action! For instance, by signing a contract and putting down a deposit... As it stands, the points you’ve raised are nothing more than the musings of a few fans; PAF did not actually take any action.

As for your questioning of whether the PAF’s strategy is sound—that has nothing to do with China, nor with CATIC.

 

[MH.Yang]

PAF and its pilots don’t think so.

Thinking from PAFs history, or strategically, I think only F-104s had 1 squadron which was considered enough since it wasnt in MRF role unlike Sabres.

Would it be sensible to induct only 1 J-10 squadron ?

Considering the gap in national strength, it is a wise choice for Pakistan not to actively escalate the arms race. Especially Pakistan has gained air superiority.

 

[MH.Yang]

its the lowest tier fighter that PLAAF flies.

The J-10C is not the lowest level aircraft of PLAAF, it belongs to the same category as the J-16 and J-11BG.

PLAAG has stopped purchasing J-10C because it has shifted from strategic defense to strategic offense. The J-10C, a medium-sized air superiority fighter, has a short range and insufficient payload, which does not meet the requirements of PLAAF. But it is still a 4.5G fighter jet, not the lowest level.

 

[niubi]

The J-10C is not the lowest level aircraft of PLAAF, it belongs to the same category as the J-16 and J-11BG.

PLAAG has stopped purchasing J-10C because it has shifted from strategic defense to strategic offense. The J-10C, a medium-sized air superiority fighter, has a short range and insufficient payload, which does not meet the requirements of PLAAF. But it is still a 4.5G fighter jet, not the lowest level.

It is the least capable modern fighter in PLAAF that hasn't been out of production for many, many years like the J-11 for example.

It does not belong in the same category as J-16 even ignoring the single engine vs twin engine. J-11BG may be similar to J-10C in its overall capability because it makes up for slightly more limited older architecture with its higher physical performance.

J-10C stands no chance against J-16. This much is very certain and has been informed by PLAAF on many occasions when they discuss exercises held internally and with other airforces where both fighters are involved. J-10C is always talked about as fighting an impossible uphill battle when facing against J-16. Only once in a while with cunning tactics can J-10C get kills on J-16.

Considering J-10C as same category as J-16 is only true for its generation being 4.5. Comparing their capability is like comparing F-16E/F with F-15EX.

 

[Feroze]

I doubt that PAF will go for J-11 or J-16. It will be J-35 eventually.

I think after 2030 that benchmark year we should go for J-35 fighter jets.

We should order more J-10Cs though.

 

[Ali_Baba]

On October 12, 2026, Li Ching-jan, Chief of Staff of the Taiwan Air Force, confirmed during a legislative inquiry that:

The first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets arrived in Taiwan on October 2, 2026. However, these aircraft were delivered in an "incomplete" state, lacking the full "Viper Shield" electronic warfare system. While some hardware components have been installed, the software is still under development.

Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, Wellington Koo (Ku Li-hsiung), also confirmed that these two new fighter jets are not yet equipped with the complete electronic warfare system.

* Please note that this information comes from the Taiwanese military itself, not from media outlets in mainland China. In his response, Li Ching-jan specifically stated that the system is "still under development."

So, do some of our Pakistani friends still insist on comparing a fighter jet that is currently under development with one that is no longer being procured for domestic use and is now produced exclusively for export?

While the F16V standard maybe still in progress, given that the USAF is looking to purchase new build F16s again(as it has done with F15EXs ), the development work will complete and be available as a full upgrade option.

U.S. Air Force Considering Once Again Buying New F-16s

The U.S. Air Force is considering the acquisition of newly built F-16s, possibly an upgraded F-16G variant, to address the aging of the fleet.The U.S. Air

theaviationist.com

The J10CE is in real terms more of a dead end interms of upgrades than the F16 as China will not fund any new upgrades as it focus shifts to the stealth series. I would argue that the PAF put a freeze on further J10CEs as they will become obsolete far quicker than the F16 series, and move to acquire early J-35AE's for that very reason of long live upgrades. Maybe the delay in follow up orders is for the same thinking by the PAF? Given that the J10CE is a standard version, PAF could resell them to other J10CE operators when the J-35AE's turn up ?