China has claimed that the J-10CE fighter jet, operated by the Pakistan Air Force, defeated Qatar’s Eurofighter Typhoon fighters in nine simulated engagements conducted during a joint military exercise in 2024.
The information was confirmed by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV and later linked by Pakistani media to the Zilzal-II exercise held in Qatar, according to an analysis by Harrison Kass published in The National Interest.
According to the reports released, the J-10CE won all nine simulated engagements against the Eurofighter Typhoon, an aircraft considered among the most advanced fighters in Europe. The outcome has since been used by Chinese and Pakistani media as evidence of the competitiveness of Chinese fighter aircraft compared to Western models.
The J-10CE, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” is the export version of China’s J-10 fighter jet and features an AESA radar, electronic warfare (EW) systems, and the capability to employ the long-range PL-15E air-to-air missile.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, developed by a European consortium, features more powerful engines, a greater payload capacity, and can employ the Meteor missile, widely regarded as one of the most advanced air-to-air weapons currently in service.
Experts caution, however, that military exercise results do not always reflect actual combat performance. The rules used during the training were not disclosed, making it impossible to determine which weapons, sensors, or operational limitations were in effect. Depending on the scenario, some of the Eurofighter’s key advantages may not have been utilized.
Despite questions regarding the exercise conditions, the publication of the score strengthens China’s strategy of promoting its fighter aircraft on the international defense market, particularly among countries seeking more affordable alternatives to Western models.
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Photo: Qatar.mod. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
