China has officially confirmed that the J-10CE fighter jet achieved its first combat victory in May 2025, shooting down several adversary aircraft without suffering any losses.
The announcement, made by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, marks Beijing’s first public admission of the real combat use of the export version of the aircraft.
According to the Chinese government, the engagement took place during an overseas mission and represented a milestone for the country’s military export programs. The authority emphasized that the J-10CE, a multirole, single-engine, all-weather-capable fighter, demonstrated performance considered “practical, reliable, and competitive” under real wartime conditions.
Until then, information about the episode had come only from Pakistan, which stated that it used J-10C fighters to repel Indian attacks and shoot down aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets. Pakistani officials reported that China had been informed from the outset about the aircraft’s participation in the confrontation.
For China’s defense industry, the J-10CE’s combat record strengthens the country’s position in the international arms market. The result is seen as a boost for Chinese military exports, at a time when several countries are seeking alternatives to Western-origin fighter jets.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @shen_shiwei | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
#BREAKING China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense: 🇨🇳China has officially confirmed that its export-oriented J-10CE fighter jet achieved its first combat victory last May, shooting down multiple aircraft in aerial combat without… pic.twitter.com/oenGGlXW2z
— Shen Shiwei 沈诗伟 (@shen_shiwei) January 12, 2026
