China releases J-10C fighter jet documentary after Pakistan-India aerial clash

Following Pakistan's powerful aerial retaliation against India with Chinese-made warplanes, China spotlighted its advanced J-10C fighter jet in a new documentary aired on state-run China Central Television (CCTV), celebrating the aircraft's first combat success during recent Pakistan-India military conflict. 

The documentary came in the wake of a May 7 dogfight, where the Pakistan Air Force used J-10C jets to shoot down three Indian Rafale fighters and other aircrafts.

According to Chinese military reports and Pakistani officials, the J-10C aircraft played a decisive role in the engagement, marking the first time the export version, J-10C, achieved victory in real combat.

Read: Pakistan shatters India's pride Rafale as The Telegraph acknowledges PAF supremacy

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar informed lawmakers that the aircraft was responsible for the downing of multiple Indian jets, including three French Rafales.

A French official later confirmed the loss of one Indian-operated Rafale, although India has yet to officially acknowledge the incident.

The CCTV documentary details the origins of the J-10, which began development in the 1980s as China sought to close the gap with Western and Soviet fighter technologies.

Read: Pakistan could have shot down 12 Indian jets using Chinese J10-Cs, says Dar

Designed by Song Wencong of the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, the aircraft was first completed in 1997 and has since evolved into the J-10C, a 4.5-generation fighter equipped with AESA radar, advanced avionics, and long-range PL-15 missiles.

Military expert Zhang Xuefeng highlighted that the development of the J-10 marked significant technological breakthroughs for China in aerodynamics, flight control systems, and engine development.