J-10CE fighter jets defeated Eurofighter Typhoons 9-0 in mock combat drills: Chinese media

China’s state broadcaster CCTV has claimed that the Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jet achieved a 9-0 victory over the European Eurofighter Typhoon during simulated air combat exercises conducted in 2024.

According to CCTV, the J-10CE won all nine mock engagements against the Eurofighter Typhoon, Europe’s multi-role combat aircraft, during the drills.

The broadcaster, however, did not disclose the full details of the exercise or identify the participating countries.

Chinese newspaper the South China Morning Post reported that Pakistani media linked the exercises to the “Zilzal-II” joint air drills held in Qatar in January 2024, where Pakistan Air Force J-10CE aircraft reportedly faced Qatar Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons.

Reports suggest that the J-10CE secured victories in all five close-range dogfight scenarios, while also winning four beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements.

According to the Chinese publication, several Gulf media outlets also reported results consistent with the information broadcast by CCTV.

The disclosure comes nearly a year after what Chinese media described as the J-10CE’s first real combat performance.

Reports last year claimed that Pakistan’s J-10CE aircraft shot down Indian fighter jets during aerial engagements, including French-made Rafale aircraft.

The J-10 fighter jet was originally developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation during the 1980s as a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft.

The upgraded J-10C variant, introduced in 2017, is regarded as a 4.5-generation fighter jet and is considered one of the flagship products of China’s defence industry.

The aircraft is equipped with advanced engines, AESA radar systems and modern air-to-air missiles, including the PL-10 and PL-15.

Its export version, the J-10CE, was first introduced to the international market in 2020. Pakistan remains the only country outside China to operate the aircraft and has reportedly purchased 36 J-10CE jets, around 20 of which have already entered service with the Pakistan Air Force. Pakistan has also acquired approximately 250 PL-15 missiles.

In contrast, the Eurofighter Typhoon was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain, and has been operational with several European air forces since 2007. Qatar operates one of the aircraft’s more advanced variants.

US defence publication Military Watch stated that CCTV’s report offers a rare insight into the combat capabilities of the J-10C and suggests that China’s advanced fighter jet technology has reached a high level of maturity.

The report further noted that the outcome of the Qatar exercises could place additional pressure on the Eurofighter

Typhoon’s position in the global arms market, as several countries are already reassessing their dependence on the platform.

Chinese military analyst Song Zhongping said the reported results could significantly boost export prospects for the J-10CE, although geopolitical considerations may make potential buyers cautious about acquiring the aircraft.