주하이 에어쇼에서 J-10C 전투기에 관심을 표한 아제르바이잔과 이란

[위종민]

최근 JF-17을 도입한 아제르바이잔이 주하이 에어쇼에서 상위기종은 J-10C에도 관심을 표했다고 하네요. 

11월 15일 나미그 이슬라자데 아제르바이잔 공군 사령관이 주하이에어쇼에서 J-10C의 수출형 J-10CE를 살펴보는 모습이 사진에 찍혔습니다. 아제르바이잔 국방부의 발표에 의하면 그는 중국 인민해방군 공군 사령관인 창딩추 상장과도 회담을 했다고 하네요. 

11월 12일에는 이란 공군 사령관인 하미드 바헤디 준장이 J-10CE를 시찰했다고 합니다. 

J-10C Fighter: After Iran, Azerbaijan Shows Interest In Chinese Vigorous Dragons; Has Already Inducted JF-17s

J-10C Fighter: After Iran, Azerbaijan Shows Interest In Chinese Vigorous Dragons; Has Already Inducted JF-17s

By

 Sakshi Tiwari

 -

November 16, 2024

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Despite China unveiling its latest stealth aircraft, the J-35A, at the ongoing Zhuhai Air Show, the J-10C ‘Vigorous Dragon’ fighter jet has evoked significant interest from prospective buyers.

The Azerbaijani Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade, was photographed on November 15 examining the export variant of the J-10C fighter jet—known as the J-10CE—at the Zhuhai Air Show 2024.

According to a statement released by Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, the Commander also met with his Chinese counterpart, General Chang Dingqiu.

“The meeting discussed the current state and future prospects of military and military-technical cooperation between the Air Forces of Azerbaijan and China. Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade expressed his gratitude to General Chang Dingqiu for the invitation to attend the exhibition,” read the statement.

Photos of the Azerbaijani Air Force Commander examining the J-10CE were published on social media, generating speculation about Baku’s interest in buying the cutting-edge aircraft.

Azerbaijani Air Force Commander is examining the J-10CE aircraft at the Zhuhai Air Show 2024

Notably, the Azerbaijani Air Force Commander’s visit came within days of the Iranian Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi’s inspection of the J-10CE on November 12.

Interestingly, Azerbaijan has just acquired and inducted the JF-17 Block III, developed jointly by Pakistan and China. Earlier, Pakistan also inducted J-10C into its air force after using JF-17 for many years. There is speculation that Azerbaijan could follow the same path now.

After Iran and Azerbaijan’s inspection of the J-10CE, it is safe to say that even though the recently unveiled J-35A, China’s second stealth aircraft, has been making headlines with its display and aerial demonstrations, the J-10CE continues to shine at the Zhuhai Air Show.

Inspection of J-10C by Iranian Air Force Chief General Hamid Vahedi (Via X)

In fact, according to recent reports, Egypt has purportedly opted to purchase the J-10C rather than upgrade its fleet of existing F-16 Fighting Falcons.

China has been aggressively pursuing the Middle East market for its aircraft exports, promoting the J-10C as a better substitute for the US F-16 Fighting Falcons, the European Eurofighter Typhoon, and the French Rafale. Moreover, Chinese aircraft are cost-competitive, with each unit costing around US$40–50 million.

Some previous reports indicated that Saudi Arabia, which currently operates the F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon, has also shown interest in the Chinese J-10C aircraft.

Earlier, there were reports that Bangladesh was interested in the Chinese J-10C aircraft, as evidenced by a Bangladesh Air Force delegation visiting China in 2018 to inspect the J-10.

In 2019, China Military Online carried an article expecting orders for one or two dozen J-10 aircraft each from Laos and Bangladesh. Bangladesh Air Force operates a dozen Chinese J-7 fighters, Russian MiG-29s, and Su-30 Flankers. However, these reports later dissipated.

In the coming years, many countries, including Iran and Egypt, could emerge as prospective buyers of the J-10C. So far, the only operator of the J-10C aircraft outside of China is Pakistan, its closest ally.

China’s J-10C: A Formidable Aircraft 

The J-10C is often compared to improved versions of the US F-16 Fighting Falcon. Its fly-by-wire flight control system, similar to that of the F-16, uses a computer to maintain its aerodynamically unstable, incredibly agile airframe.

The J-10C is equipped with a WS-10B engine, integrated AESA radar, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and an imaging infrared seeker (IIR) PL-10.

Its cutting-edge features include computerized glass cockpit instruments, electronic warfare, accurate air-to-ground strikes, fighting beyond visual range, and in-flight refueling. In January this year, seven J-10C Fighter jets were refueled by a single YY-20 refueling aircraft in a stunning display of PLAAF’s might.

The aircraft is capable of all-weather operations. Its primary role is air-to-air combat, but it can also perform strike missions.

Chinese specialists have praised the aircraft as a game-changing fighter jet, frequently pointing to its enhanced sensors and armaments for visual and beyond-visual-range engagements and its lower radar signature as a massive advantage against its international competitors.

The Chinese multirole fighter also incorporates a forward-facing target designator pod that uses laser and infrared technology. This pod was designed to enable the use of lasers and satellite navigation-guided weapons.

https://mod.gov.az/en/news/azerbaijan-air-force-commander-attends-airshow-china-53356.html

Azerbaijan Air Force Commander attends Airshow China

Delegation led by Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade undertook a working visit to the People's Republic of China to participate in the 15th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.
Within the exhibition, attended by Air Force commanders and high-ranking officials from over 100 countries, as well as delegations from regional and international organizations, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade held a meeting with Commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, General Chang Dingqiu.   
The meeting discussed the current state and future prospects of military and military-technical cooperation between the Air Forces of Azerbaijan and China. Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade expressed his gratitude to General Chang Dingqiu for the invitation to attend the exhibition.
As part of the working visit to China, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade held meetings with the commanders of the Belarusian and Iranian Air Forces, the Deputy Commander of the Russian Air Force, as well as with executives from several companies of China's State Defense Industrial Complex.
The meetings included detailed exchanges of views on matters of mutual interest.
It is worth noting that the international exhibition featured a display of over 260 types of military equipment from Chinese defense industry corporations, including fighter aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the HQ-9BE surface-to-air missile system, YJ-12E anti-ship cruise hypersonic missiles (ASCM), counter-drone systems, various military vehicles, and other advanced technologies and equipment.

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[백선호]

이란은 1990년대에 J-8 II Finback B에도 관심을 보였다는데 이번에도 관심만...?