J-10CE Over Uzbekistan: What Is Known About the New Chinese Fighters
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has publicly unveiled Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets for the first time. At least six aircraft appeared on state television in late August as part of events marking the country’s 35th anniversary of independence. The fighters were shown at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base.
Uzbekistan has thus become the second confirmed foreign operator of the J-10CE after Pakistan. However, neither Tashkent nor Beijing has officially disclosed the size or value of the contract or the full weapons package delivered with the aircraft. Reports of a 24-aircraft purchase worth about $1 billion remain estimates from open sources.
The J-10CE is the export version of the J-10C, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. It is a single-engine multirole fighter equipped with modern onboard systems and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Chinese sources classify it as a “4+ generation” aircraft. The jet is designed for both air-combat missions and precision strikes against ground targets.
One of the aircraft’s key features is its weapons suite. The J-10CE is compatible with the PL-15E medium- and long-range air-to-air missile and the PL-10E short-range missile. Chinese military sources say the PL-15E has a maximum range of more than 200 kilometres, although actual engagement range depends on launch conditions and other factors.
Interest in the J-10CE increased after the India-Pakistan fighting in May 2025. U.S. officials told Reuters at the time that Pakistani J-10s had used air-to-air missiles to shoot down at least two Indian aircraft. One official said at least one of them was a French-made Rafale. India did not acknowledge the loss of its aircraft.
The arrival of the J-10CE also expands the geography of Chinese combat-aircraft operations. For Uzbekistan’s Air Force, it is the first publicly confirmed introduction of a Chinese-made fighter and marks another stage in the modernization of a fleet historically based on Soviet and Russian platforms.
The J-10CE is the export version of the J-10C, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. It is a single-engine multirole fighter equipped with modern onboard systems and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Chinese sources classify it as a “4+ generation” aircraft. The jet is designed for both air-combat missions and precision strikes against ground targets.
One of the aircraft’s key features is its weapons suite. The J-10CE is compatible with the PL-15E medium- and long-range air-to-air missile and the PL-10E short-range missile. Chinese military sources say the PL-15E has a maximum range of more than 200 kilometres, although actual engagement range depends on launch conditions and other factors.
Interest in the J-10CE increased after the India-Pakistan fighting in May 2025. U.S. officials told Reuters at the time that Pakistani J-10s had used air-to-air missiles to shoot down at least two Indian aircraft. One official said at least one of them was a French-made Rafale. India did not acknowledge the loss of its aircraft.
The arrival of the J-10CE also expands the geography of Chinese combat-aircraft operations. For Uzbekistan’s Air Force, it is the first publicly confirmed introduction of a Chinese-made fighter and marks another stage in the modernization of a fleet historically based on Soviet and Russian platforms.
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