Though foolish, Pakistan’s efforts to compete with India and retaliate in every possible way need to be considered. At least, one can enjoy the show of Pakistan’s incompetency and misery when it leaves no stone unturned to respond to India but somehow fails. Recently, the neighbouring country purchased a full squadron of 25 Chinese multi-role J-10C fighter jets. Interestingly, Pakistan has bought these Chinese fighter jets to counter Rafale jets that India has acquired.
Pakistan J-10C to counter India’s Rafale
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed stated on Wednesday, “Pakistan has acquired a full squadron of 25 Chinese multirole J-10C fighter jets in response to India’s purchase of Rafale aircraft.”
He said that that the full squadron of 25 all-weather aircraft comprising the Chinese jet will attend the Pakistan Day ceremony on 23 March next year. However, the minister who mocks his elite English-medium colleagues, incorrectly pronounced the name of aircraft as JS-10 instead of J-10C. Ahmed stated, “VIP guests are coming (to attend 23rd March ceremony) for the first time in Pakistan, the fly-past ceremony of JS-10 (J-10C) is being held. Pakistan Air Force is going to perform the fly-past of China’s JS-10 (J-10C) aircraft in response to Rafale.”
Read more: How Rafale Jets in India have set in motion a self-destructive process in Pakistan
What is J-10C?
The J-10, is a single-engine, lightweight multirole fighter developed in China by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry. The plane is called ‘Vigorous Dragon’ and can perform in all weather conditions, or so the Chinese claim. The J-10C is the newest variant of the J-10 and entered service with the PLAAF in 2018. Built for People’s Liberation Army Air Force strike missions and air-to-air warfare, the J-10 has a huge delta wing, similar to the French Mirage fighters. According to National Interest, the armament payload is similar to the MiG-29 and F-16, with three weapon pylons on each wing and three on the belly.
As per the reports, J-10C with a domestically produced WS-10 Taihang engine was revealed for the first time in a live-fire training session after being inducted into the PLA Air Force.
The J-10C can fire the new Chinese air-to-air missiles, which include several advanced long-range active-radar homing designs. It also includes enhanced avionics such as the indigenous AESA fire-control radar and the imaging infrared seeker (IIR) PL-10. All these capabilities make the Chinese jet a modern fighter jet.
J-10C better than Rafale?
According to reports, a Pakistani lawmaker questioned on acquiring of J-10C and stated that it does not match up to Rafale jets.
Dr Afnan Ullah Khan tweeted “I do not understand the logic behind buying J-10C. We already have a fighter (F-16) which is in the similar class and generation. I don’t think J-10C is as good as Rafale also. We should have invested this money in building Project Azm and enhancing JF-17 capabilities.”
Experts, when comparing J-10C Rafale head to head, stated that Rafale despite being heavier than J-10C has better agility and higher energy. Moreover, the short-range MICA-IR missile carried by the Rafale is far better than PL-8/9 missiles used by the J-10C. Chinese jet, despite having a PL-15 missile with a range of more than 200 km is “crippled with radar that cannot use its full potential.” On the contrary, Rafale’s Meteor BVR air-to-air missile meteor is undoubtedly the best in the world.
While Chinese jet does not see any combat, Rafale has been tried and tested in various battle theatres.
Thus, a good attempt by Pakistan to counter India failed terribly.