J-10C vs. Rafale: Is China’s J10C a true French Rafale killer

The Chengdu J-10C, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Designed to enhance China’s air combat capabilities, the J-10C integrates advanced avionics, an AESA radar, and powerful air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon systems. This article explores its technical specifications, combat performance, and a comparative analysis with other modern fighters, including its strengths, weaknesses, future potential, and strategic impact on global air superiority.

Think of the J-10C as a very athletic and agile flyer. It’s built as a medium-weight fighter with one powerful engine. Its body has a special design with what are called delta wings (shaped like triangles) and smaller wings near the front called canards. This combination makes the J-10C incredibly good at turning and maneuvering in the air, giving it an edge in dogfights.

It also uses a fly-by-wire system, which is like super-advanced electronic controls that help keep the plane stable and respond quickly to the pilot’s commands. Plus, the J-10C is made with composite materials, which are strong but lightweight. This helps the plane fly better and also makes it a bit harder for enemy radars to spot.

A unique feature is its Diverterless Supersonic Inlet (DSI). This fancy name just means the way air gets into the engine is designed to help the plane fly really well even when it’s going faster than the speed of sound, and it also makes the plane lighter. The J-10C can reach a top speed of Mach 1.8 to Mach 2.2, which is seriously fast!

One of its most important features is its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Imagine a super-smart eye that can see farther and track many things at once. Here’s why this radar is a game-changer:

Unlike older radars that have to physically move to scan, AESA radar uses lots of tiny antennas to scan the sky instantly. This means the J-10C can spot enemy planes much earlier and from greater distances.

This radar can keep an eye on many targets at the same time with great accuracy. So, the pilot knows exactly where friendly and enemy aircraft are, helping them make quick decisions in a fight.

The AESA radar can also confuse or block enemy radar and communication signals. This makes it harder for the enemy to target the J-10C and their own planes, giving the “Vigorous Dragon” an advantage in electronic warfare.

The J-10C can reportedly track 10 to 15 targets at once and attack several of them.

The J-10C carries a range of powerful air-to-air missiles, each designed for different types of aerial combat:

This is a long-range missile that can hit targets far beyond what the pilot can see (that’s what “beyond-visual-range” or BVR means). With a range of 145 to 300 km, it’s a key weapon for taking down enemy planes before they even get close.

This is a short-range missile built for intense, close-up dogfights. It’s super maneuverable and can even hit targets that are not directly in front of the aircraft, especially when used with a special helmet that helps the pilot aim just by looking.

PL-12

This is a medium-range missile that offers a good balance between distance and accuracy. It’s effective against enemy aircraft that are further away but still closer than the range of the PL-15.

Another short-range missile used for close combat. It’s based on an Israeli design and has been adapted for Chinese aircraft.

Together, these missiles mean the J-10C is ready for any kind of air battle, whether it’s shooting down planes from far away or maneuvering for a close-range kill.

But the J-10C isn’t just for air-to-air combat. It’s also very good at ground strikes. It can carry a variety of air-to-ground weapons, including:

These bombs can precisely hit targets on the ground using a laser beam to guide them.

These bombs can travel a significant distance after being dropped, allowing the aircraft to stay further away from enemy defenses.

These use GPS-like technology to accurately hit their targets, no matter the weather.

Air-to-surface missiles

These are missiles designed to attack targets on the ground or even ships.

The J-10C also has a twin-barrel cannon built into it for close-range attacks, both in the air and against ground targets. Plus, it has a special targeting pod that uses lasers and infrared to help it aim and use guided weapons accurately.

The J-10C also has advanced electronic warfare systems, which can disrupt enemy radars and communications. While it might not be as advanced as some top Western systems, it still gives the J-10C a way to protect itself and confuse the enemy.

Inside the cockpit, pilots have a highly advanced setup with multiple digital screens that show all the important flight and combat information. The three LCD multi-function displays (MFDs) allow the pilot to see everything from navigation to weapon systems. A holographic head-up display (HUD) projects key information right in front of the pilot’s eyes on the windshield, so they don’t have to look down. The J-10C can also use a helmet-mounted sight (HMS), which lets pilots aim weapons just by looking at the target.

To make it harder for enemies to detect, the J-10C uses composite materials and might have special stealth coatings. These materials are lightweight and strong and can help absorb or scatter radar signals. While the J-10C isn’t a fully stealth fighter like some American jets, these features do help reduce its visibility to radar.

When we look at how the J-10C measures up against other modern fighter jets, like the French Dassault Rafale, we see some interesting differences. Both are considered 4.5-generation multirole fighters, meaning they are very advanced but not quite as stealthy as the latest “fifth-generation” jets.

The J-10C has been strategically acquired by Pakistan as its most advanced fighter jet, primarily to counter India’s Rafale and enhance its air superiority capabilities. A significant advantage for the PAF is the seamless integration of the J-10C with other predominantly Chinese-made defense systems.

The Rafale is a cornerstone of the IAF’s ongoing modernization efforts, providing a highly capable multirole platform essential for achieving air dominance and executing precision strikes. However, unlike Pakistan’s largely homogenous Chinese-origin defense infrastructure, the IAF operates a diverse mix of systems originating from India, Russia, and Israel, including AWACS and air defense networks.

Following reported aerial clashes in May 2025, Pakistan claimed its J-10C fighters successfully engaged and shot down multiple Indian aircraft, including Rafales.

Some sources, including a French intelligence official and anonymous US officials, corroborated the loss of at least one Rafale. However, the Indian side has remained largely silent, with no official confirmation of these losses, leading to skepticism among Indian analysts and in some media outlets.

Several factors could have contributed to the reported outcomes, including the element of surprise in Pakistan’s deployment, tactical advantages achieved through superior integration with AWACS and ground-based radar systems, and the proficiency of PAF pilots.

The aftermath of these reports saw a significant surge in the stock price of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, the manufacturer of the J-10C, indicating a positive market reaction to the aircraft’s purported combat performance. This could potentially influence future arms deals and the global perception of Chinese military aviation technology.

Pakistani officials claimed that their J-10C fighter jets were used in an operation where they shot down five Indian aircraft, including three French-made Rafale fighters, a Russian-designed MiG-29, and a Russian Su-30. This claim was made by Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, in the National Assembly. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also claimed that Pakistani forces electronically jammed four Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets near the Line of Control, forcing them to retreat. He further stated that the J-10C fighters successfully interfered with the Rafale’s radar and communication system. However, Pakistan has not provided evidence to support these claims, and India has not confirmed any losses.

Sources

• Australian Institute of International Affairs
• China Arms
• Wikipedia
• Airforce Technology
• EurAsian Times