China's J-10CE aircraft makes a strong impression in Malaysia

The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Malaysia, which opened on May 20, 2025, has brought together defense companies from around the world , all vying for a share of the lucrative Southeast Asian market. Photo: @naturallylangkawi.

And at LIMA 2025, China's J-10CE fighter jet became the center of attention, attracting a large number of military officials, industry experts and global defense enthusiasts to visit. Photo: @China Central Television.

Originally an export version of the Chengdu J-10C - the mainstay of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, the J-10CE is being touted as an advanced, cost-effective multirole fighter that has just made its combat debut in South Asia. Photo: @VCG.

China, through its state-owned China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), is using the J-10CE's presence to challenge Western and Russian dominance in the global arms trade, touting the jet as a viable option for countries like Malaysia as they look to modernize their air forces. Photo: @VCG.

The J-10CE is a 4.5 generation multirole fighter designed to compete with Western platforms such as the US F-16 Fighting Falcon and Sweden's Saab Gripen. It was developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation. Photo: @Army Recognition.

The J-10CE is designed for export and has an extremely advanced system that makes it a formidable opponent in modern air combat. Photo: @ Army Recognition.

Powered by a single WS-10B turbofan engine capable of thrust vectoring, the jet offers improved maneuverability, allowing it to perform agile maneuvers vital in air combat. Photo: @The War Zone.

This engine also helps the aircraft reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 (equivalent to 2,222 km/h). The airframe and delta wing configurations with flaps provide a balance of speed, agility and stability, making the J-10CE suitable for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Photo: @Defence Security Asia.

The J-10CE's main attraction is its advanced avionics, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which is seen as a significant step up from the mechanically scanned radars found on previous-generation fighters. Photo: @The War Zone.

This radar is a derivative of the KLJ-10 developed by China's Nanjing Institute of Electronic Technology. The AESA radar system is said to be able to track multiple targets at a range of up to 170 km, with superior situational awareness and reconnaissance capabilities. Photo: @Defence Security Asia.

The jet's cockpit features a modern glass interface with a multi-function display, a heads-up display, and a helmet-mounted sight, allowing pilots to engage targets with the utmost precision. Photo: @China-Arms.

The J-10CE is also equipped with an infrared search and track (IRST) system, which allows for passive detection of enemy aircraft, enhancing its survivability against stealth threats. Its electronic warfare suite, including radar warning receivers and advanced countermeasures technologies, further strengthens the J-10CE's operational capabilities in competitive environments. Photo: @China-Arms.

The J-10CE’s weapons arsenal is equally impressive, capable of carrying a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The jet can deploy the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile, or the export version PL-15E, which has a reported range of up to 145km, making it a powerful tool for beyond-visual-range engagements. Photo: @Defence Security Asia.

For close-range combat, the jet can deploy the PL-10 short-range missile, allowing the J-10CE to effectively engage agile targets. It can also carry precision-guided munitions, such as laser-guided bombs and anti-ship missiles, making it versatile for both ground-attack and maritime strike roles. Photo: @The War Zone.

Recent reports indicate that the Pakistan Air Force, the only foreign operator of the J-10CE, deployed the jet in a series of skirmishes against Indian aircraft in May 2025, following heightened tensions in Jammu and Kashmir. Photo: @The War Zone.

According to a Reuters report, US officials confirmed that the J-10CE aircraft supplied to Pakistan by China, equipped with PL-15E missiles, shot down at least two Indian fighter jets, including a Dassault Rafale, in a skirmish on May 7, marking a major milestone for the Chinese-made aircraft. Photo: @China-Arms.

Even the Pakistan Air Force, which operates about 20 J-10CE aircraft and 45-50 JF-17 Block III fighters, released images on April 26 showing its jets equipped with PL-15E and PL-10 missiles, emphasizing the combat readiness of these vehicles. Photo: @Defence Security Asia.

While India has not officially confirmed the loss of a Rafale, the incident has fueled speculation about the J-10CE's effectiveness in real-world conditions, with Chinese media outlets such as the Global Times citing the jet's success as evidence of China's increasingly advanced military capabilities. Photo: @ China Academy.

However, some Western analysts have warned that details of the Pakistan-India skirmish remain unverified, and the lack of transparency from both sides raises questions about the full operational range of the J-10CE. Photo: @Quwa Premium.

It can be seen that at LIMA 2025, the appearance of the J-10CE is part of China's broader strategy to attract Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia, a country that is looking to replace its aging fleet of Russian-made Su-30MKM and MiG-29 fighters. Photo: @China Academy.

Of course, the J-10CE demonstration at LIMA 2025 is about more than just selling aircraft; it’s also about demonstrating China’s technological prowess and geopolitical ambitions. The jet’s reported combat success, while still shrouded in some uncertainty, has provided China with a powerful narrative to demonstrate that its military hardware is no worse than Western or Russian designs. Photo: @China Academy.

For Malaysia, the decision to consider the J-10CE will depend on a delicate balance between cost, capability and strategic alignment. The show was attended by global leaders and industry representatives, including an Indian delegation led by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth. Other countries, such as Colombia, have also been approached by China with an offer to supply J-10CE squadrons, reflecting a broader effort to expand Beijing’s defense footprint in Latin America and beyond. Photo: @China Academy.

More broadly, the prominence of the J-10CE at LIMA 2025 reflects a shift in the global arms trade landscape. China’s ability to provide advanced, cost-effective fighter jets will challenge the long-standing dominance of Western and Russian suppliers. Photo: @China Academy.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/may-bay-j-10ce-cua-trung-quoc-gay-an-tuong-manh-o-malaysia-post1543481.html