After Iran, Azerbaijan Air Force Chief Shows Interest in China-Made J-10CE Fighter Jets

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Beyond the fifth-generation J-35A fighter from China and Russia’s Su-57E export variant, another aircraft turning heads at the Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai is the export variant of the J-10CE “Vigorous Dragon.”

The 4.5-generation fighter, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, is being aggressively promoted by China in various international markets.

Following its successful showcase to Iranian Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Hamid Vahedi, the J-10CE export variant has now drawn interest from Azerbaijan’s Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Namig Islamzade.

The Azerbaijani air chief used his attendance at the airshow to closely inspect the Chinese-made fighter, which already has its first export customer, Pakistan.

In 2022, Pakistan discreetly acquired 25 J-10C fighters from Chengdu Aircraft Corporation to counter India’s fleet of Rafale jets.

According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defence, Lt. Gen. Islamzade also held discussions with China’s Air Force Commander Gen. Chang Dingqiu during the airshow.

“The meeting between the Air Force Commanders of Azerbaijan and China covered defense and technical cooperation between the two countries. Lt. Gen. Namig Islamzade expressed gratitude to Gen. Dingqiu for the invitation to Airshow China 2024,” the statement read.

Photos of Lt. Gen. Islamzade inspecting the J-10CE at the event have surfaced on social media, fueling speculation about Azerbaijan’s potential interest in acquiring the Chinese fighter.

Could Iran and Azerbaijan follow Pakistan’s lead in purchasing the J-10C, as Egypt reportedly has, while declining the American F-16?

If Azerbaijan does pursue the J-10CE, it would signal the oil- and gas-rich nation’s ongoing efforts to bolster its military capabilities.

Earlier this year, reports emerged that Azerbaijan had agreed to acquire a fleet of JF-17 Block 3 fighters, the latest variant co-developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG).

Azerbaijan is reportedly spending $1.6 billion (RM7.2 billion) on the JF-17 Block 3 jets, which will replace its aging MiG-29 fighters.

With tensions still high with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Azerbaijan is keen to enhance its military readiness, particularly its air force.

Speculation also suggests that France may supply Armenia with Dassault Rafale 4.5-generation fighters to counter Azerbaijan’s aerial capabilities.

The J-10C is powered by China’s domestically produced WS-10C engine, avoiding reliance on Russia’s Saturn AL-31F engines to simplify export sales to countries like Pakistan.

The fighter is equipped with state-of-the-art systems, including an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles such as the PL-15.

The PL-15 missile, reportedly developed with Russian expertise, has an effective range of 200-300 kilometers, making it a significant competitor to the U.S.-made AIM-120 AMRAAM.

As China continues to promote the J-10CE globally, its growing presence in international markets underscores the increasing competitiveness of its defense aerospace sector. — DSA