The 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) recently opened at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Langkawi, Malaysia. At the event, China’s J-10CE fighter jet model and related technology displays once again became a major highlight, drawing significant attention from exhibitors, foreign military delegations, defense analysts, and international media.

On the opening day, more than 20 military and government delegations from countries and regions including Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam visited the booth of China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for in-depth exchanges.

Malaysia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid stated that the J-10CE is a highly advanced aircraft. He remarked, “I believe that some future products will no longer be monopolized by traditional manufacturing countries. The Chinese government is forging a new path forward.”

Why has the J-10CE attracted so much attention?

• Combat-Proven Performance

The J-10CE recently achieved its first real combat success, shooting down multiple enemy aircraft in an air battle without suffering any losses itself.
Pakistan Air Force J-10CE

• Superior Capabilities

The J-10CE is an all-weather, single-engine, single-seat multirole fighter developed independently by China’s aviation industry.

It boasts network-centric warfare capabilities, beyond-visual-range (BVR) multi-target engagement in complex electromagnetic environments, and precision multi-mode ground strikes. The fighter features excellent maneuverability at medium and low altitudes, supersonic flight, short takeoff and landing, long combat radius, extended range, and aerial refueling capability.

It is equipped with an advanced integrated avionics system and weapons suite, with strong payload capacity.

Military expert Shao Yongling highlighted several key features: a small radar cross-section, advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with strong detection and anti-jamming performance, and a powerful weapons loadout that includes the long-range PL-15 air-to-air missile.

• Modern Operational Integration

Modern warfare has redefined the concept of air combat, evolving from the traditional “A fires A guides” model to complex coordinated systems such as “A fires, B guides” and even “A locks, B fires, C guides.”

In the “A locks, B fires, C guides” model, a target is identified by one system (e.g., air defense radar), engaged by a second platform (e.g., a fighter outside the enemy’s air defense zone), and guided by a third asset (e.g., an AWACS or another fighter) until the missile hits its mark.

Modern air combat is no longer just about who has the better aircraft, but who has the better combat system. According to Shao Yongling, the J-10CE, together with its data links, airborne early warning aircraft, and advanced air-to-air missiles, forms a formidable combat network.

• High Cost-Effectiveness

In the global defense market, the J-10CE offers high performance at a competitive price.

Military analyst Zhang Xuefeng noted that Western third-generation fighters offered for export in recent years—once maintenance, spare parts, training, and logistical support are factored in—typically cost around $200 million per unit for medium and heavy aircraft, making them prohibitively expensive. In contrast, the J-10CE is considerably more affordable, offering excellent value for money.

A 27-Year Journey: From a “National Pride Fighter” to a Global Star

In the 1980s, as China faced growing geopolitical pressures, the nation urgently needed a domestically developed, world-class fighter jet. In 1986, China officially launched its third-generation fighter development program, code-named “Project 10”—the origin of what would later become the J-10.
At the outset of the project, conditions were extremely tough. Aircraft design institutes didn’t even have access to real computers. Yet, Chinese engineers remained fully committed, poring over blueprints by hand and tackling technical challenges one by one under austere conditions.

On March 23, 1998, the J-10 prototype took to the skies for its maiden flight. Chief designer Song Wencong walked solemnly with test pilot Lei Qiang toward the aircraft, both trying to contain their emotions and reassure each other. Lei turned to Song and said, “Don’t worry—so long as the aircraft doesn’t explode in the air and I can still control it, I’ll find a way. Even if I crash, I’ll bring it down on the runway. We need to know what went wrong after all these years.”

According to plan, the prototype was to make three circuits before landing. But Lei, filled with confidence, requested to fly one more. Twenty minutes later, he completed all the scheduled maneuvers and landed safely. Overcome with emotion, Lei embraced Song in tears: “This is a real fighter jet—we finally have our own.” Song, whose birthday was on March 26, smiled and said, “From now on, my birthday is March 23.”

As China’s first independently developed third-generation fighter, the J-10 marked a historic leap—from importing and copying foreign jets to fully indigenous design and production. It became a symbol of national technological pride, earning the nickname “zhengqi ji” (literally “a fighter that upholds national dignity”) among Chinese netizens.

Today, the J-10 series continues to evolve through constant upgrades and technological breakthroughs. The development of this aircraft has not only created a world-class fighter but also matured China’s entire domestic military aviation system.

Editor: LQQ