Chengdu J-10C
The definitive J-10 with an indigenous AESA radar, PL-15 missiles and, finally, the Chinese WS-10B engine · First flight 2013 · In service 2018
The J-10C builds on the J-10B airframe with an indigenous KLJ-7A active electronically scanned array radar and a new generation of weapons: the PL-10 short-range missile with an imaging-infrared seeker and the long-range PL-15. It was first seen in late December 2013, entered serial production in 2015 and was declared in combat service with the PLAAF in April 2018. All J-10s built since 2015 are J-10Cs.
It also finally brought the WS-10 engine that the J-10 had been designed around. In March 2020 Chinese state media showed a J-10C with the WS-10B, and WS-10B-powered aircraft were in service by November 2021. Analyst Justin Bronk describes the J-10C as a 4.5-generation fighter. The August 1st aerobatic team's J-10AYs are being replaced by the J-10CY display version.
The export model is the J-10CE. Pakistan announced an order in December 2021, and the first six landed at PAF Base Minhas, Kamra, on 4 March 2022, joining No. 15 Squadron 'Cobras' a week later; 20 had been delivered by May 2025 with 16 more on order. Uzbekistan received its first two J-10CEs in July 2025.
