The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has disclosed the latest addition to its fleet – the next-generation Chinese J-10C fighter jets.
The announcement was made during the induction ceremony joined by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the three services chiefs, the Chinese ambassador, and others at the Minhas Air Base, Kamra.
Imran Khan commended the state on the momentous occasion of the introduction of J-10C aircraft, stressing that a country could not remain free and autonomous until it was capable enough to defend itself.
The premier stated that Pakistan had full sureness in its armed forces that excel in the capabilities of the highest degree to defend the country. “We are confident that if anyone makes an aggressive move against Pakistan, it would be retaliated by the armed forces with full force,” he added.
The J-10C is developed by China’s nationalized Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The aircraft is a single-seat, single-engine, multi-role, all-weather, fourth-plus generation jet. Also recognized as Vigorous Dragon, as per the AVIC, it has the ability to rival the French Rafale jet.
Read more: First batch of Chengdu J-10C semi-stealth multi-role fighter jets received from China
Moreover, PM Imran thanked China for providing the jet aircraft to Pakistan in a short period of eight months. He conveyed that he was fully satisfied over PAF completely equipping itself on the lines of modern and indigenous technology.
“Pakistan is heading in the right direction towards development and prosperity.”
Meanwhile, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu claimed that the PAF was fully prepared and trained to discourage any aggression of the enemy. He continued that the J-10C was an entirely integrated weapon, avionic and combat system and its inclusion would further reinforce the PAF’s professional capabilities.
Earlier, in an interview, Shi Hong, the executive chief editor of the Chinese magazine, Ship-borne Weapons, said, “The J-10C 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,”
Though Pakistan’s J-10C would not substitute the JF-17 but can make a combination, leading to advanced combat capabilities, Shi added.
