Latest news with #J10C
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
French fighter jets aren't up to it, claim Chinese agents
China ordered its embassies to undermine sales of French fighter jets and promote its own after Pakistan claimed to have shot down several French aircraft in clashes with India in May, according to French officials. China used its diplomatic network to cast doubt over France's Rafale jets after four days of fighting between the two South Asian neighbours, the sources said. Pakistan claimed its Chinese fighter jets had shot down five of India's aircraft that were made in France, including three Rafales. Pakistan used China's J10-C Vigorous Dragon and JF-17 Thunder planes, armed with air-to-air missiles. It is thought to be the first time the J10-C has been used in active combat. Findings from a French intelligence service, which has been seen by The Associated Press (AP), said defence attaches in China's foreign embassies began a drive to undermine Rafale sales. They have also been persuading countries, notably Indonesia, to backtrack on orders of the French jets and buy theirs. India acknowledged it had lost aircraft in the fighting but declined to say which or how many. Gen Jérôme Bellanger, of the French air force, said he had seen evidence pointing to just three Indian losses – a Rafale, a Russian-made Sukhoi and a Mirage 2000, which is an earlier-generation French-made jet. It was the first known combat loss of a Rafale, which France has sold to eight countries. 'Of course, all those, the nations that bought Rafales, asked themselves questions,' Gen Bellanger told AP. France's defence ministry said the Rafale was targeted by 'a vast campaign of disinformation' that 'sought to promote the superiority of alternative equipment, notably of Chinese design'. 'The Rafale was not randomly targeted. It is a highly capable fighter jet, exported abroad and deployed in a high-visibility theatre,' the ministry wrote on its website. 'By attacking the aircraft, certain actors sought to undermine the credibility of France and its defence industrial and technological base. French officials said the campaign included viral posts on social media, manipulated imagery showing supposed Rafale debris, AI-generated content and video-game depictions to simulate supposed combat. China's ministry of national defence dismissed claims it had launched a Rafale-bashing drive as 'pure groundless rumours and slander'. 'China has consistently maintained a prudent and responsible approach to military exports, playing a constructive role in regional and global peace and stability,' it said. Experts said it would make sense for China to attack French technological prowess and reliability as part of its wider campaign to counter Western countries' influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Rafale vs J10C air battle: How Pakistan created a 'kill chain' with China's help using...; tension for US due to...
(File) Rafale vs J10C: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has repeatedly claimed to have shot down several Indian fighter jets, including the advanced 4.5 generation Rafale fighters, during the air battle on the night of May 7 when India launched Operation Sindoor following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. How Pakistan allegedly shot down India's Rafale fighter jets? According to new report published by the 'Study Times, a publication associated with the Communist Party of China (CCP), the PAF, with China's help, created a 'kill chain', which allowed a relatively 'inferior' fighter like the J10C to take down a heavyweight like Rafale. The strategy linked various components, including early warning aircraft, data link, ground radar, air defense system and the J10-CE fighter jets equipped with PL-15 missiles, along with guidance from Chinese satellites, to build what is called a 'kill chain'. All these systems worked in unison to take purportedly shoot down Indian Air Force fighter jets, including the Rafales, during the aerial battle on the night of May 7, it claimed. Pakistan has claimed to shot down several IAF fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, and while India has admitted that some of its planes were downed, the specific details, including the exact number have not been made public. What makes a 'kill chain' lethal for any fighter aircraft? As per the Study Times article, it was the first that China's 'kill chain' strategy was employed on an actual battlefield. The tactic allows even older fighter planes to successfully engage, even take down, more advanced warplanes, because the latter have a complete view of the battle scene using integrated systems, including AWACS, data link, ground radar, and air defense system. This integrated system gives little to no time to enemy fighter jets to react to an attack, because it is launched from beyond visual range (BVR), and the kill chain strategy masks the attack by jamming enemy systems, making it difficult to intercept incoming threats The Study Times article also mentions the 'Long Board Effect', which means that if a side has the most developed strength in a war, it alone can play a decisive role. For example, if Pakistan had a state-of-the-art air early warning system, it could have changed the direction of the entire battle. The article also emphasizes that silent and unexpected attacks will prove decisive in future wars. Why India doesn't have a 'kill chain' network? At the surface level, a kill chain essentially means data sharing between all three branches of the armed forces in such way that every activity of the enemy can be responded to in seconds. Several experts have expressed concerns that while the Indian Air Force is certainly more advanced than the PAF, with advanced platforms like Rafale, Su-30MKI and S-400, they lack an integrated kill chain network. Experts believe that India, despite being a stronger military power, lags behind in areas like networked warfare and cyber war, which allows a 'weaker' force like Pakistan to inflict significant damages. Why US should be concerned? The United States is the primary rival of China and Beijing's evolving military strength is major cause of concern for Western powers. US and European defense experts note that China is no longer just an arms supplier, but a war-strategist, inventing novel strategies like 'kill web/systemic warfare, which creates a coordinated, multi-domain operation network that spans air, land, cyber and space. US Space Force General Chance Saltzman warned that China has launched more than 470 spy and surveillance satellites that are part of its 'Sensor to Shooter Kill Web'. These satellites are capable of monitoring the activities of US joint forces and sharing real-time data, which could be crucial in a China-US conflict scenario, especially in a war over Taiwan. What lessons did China learn from the India-Pakistan war? According to Study Times, the biggest lesson China learned from the India-Pakistan war is that its 'systematic war' succeeded, making it a blueprint for any future wars. The article noted that war is no longer just a game of quality of weapons or individual military skills, but a war of 'system of systems'. which means if different weapon systems, such as early warning aircraft, data link, ground radar, air defense system and fighter aircraft work in an integrated manner, they can defeat even a technically superior opponent. During Operation Sindoor, the same strategy was purportedly adopted by Pakistan with the help of China, and succeeded in downing Indian Rafale fighter jets using the combination of Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets, PL-15 missiles and Chinese satellites.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed chairs Global Parties Dialogue in Beijing
Listen to article Chinese technological advancement has overtaken the West in key areas, including defence, artificial intelligence and green innovation, according to remarks made by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed at a high-level global dialogue in Beijing. Speaking at the opening of the Global Political Parties Dialogue on "Asia in a Changing World", Senator Mushahid said China had become a 'scientific superpower' and was reshaping global dynamics not through conquest, but by peaceful economic development. 'China is surpassing the West in key sectors, from J10C fighter jets and Deep Seek AI to electric vehicles,' said Mushahid, citing a recent Economist cover story. He framed the trend as part of the broader 'Rise of the East', with Asia emerging as the new global centre of gravity. READ: China assures of $3.7b refinancing next month Chaired by Senator Mushahid in his role as Co-Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), the Dialogue brought together representatives from 250 political parties across 29 countries. The conference was hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) in Beijing. In a striking geopolitical assertion, Mushahid also described China as 'part of South Asia' and 'a source of stability in the region,' noting its peaceful relations with nearly all neighbours despite having borders with 14 countries. He stressed that the border dispute with India should not define bilateral relations and must be resolved peacefully. The panel also featured senior political figures including IDCPC Minister Liu Jianchao, former Thai Speaker Bokin Balakula, and former Mongolian Foreign Minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar. READ MORE: PCI report details 16 hours that shook South Asia Liu echoed Mushahid's remarks, affirming that China does not aim to export its political model, but offers its poverty alleviation experience as a blueprint for developing nations. 'China's rise has come through reforms and development,' Liu said, adding that China remains committed to cooperation and peaceful coexistence within South Asia. Pakistan's presence at the conference was notable, with former Senate Chairman Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Senator Anusha Rehman, Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, and several business and think tank representatives in attendance. On the sidelines of the event, Liu held a separate meeting with Senator Mushahid, discussing high-level exchanges between the two countries, including his own visit to Islamabad in June 2024 and the recent trip by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Beijing. The conference also received congratulatory messages from the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Malaysia, underlining the event's significance in shaping future regional cooperation.
Japan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Lessons from India-Pakistan war: Were China's arms overrated?
The brief military conflict between India and Pakistan from May 7 to May 10 marked a turning point in South Asian security dynamics. This was not a conventional border conflict, but a high-tech showdown featuring drones, cruise and ballistic missiles and long-range air defenses. While India and Pakistan were the primary belligerents, a third power — China — played a pivotal, if indirect, role. Beijing's involvement via the supply of advanced weapon systems and real-time satellite reconnaissance data to Pakistan turned the engagement into a revealing trial run for Chinese arms in a live combat setting. This conflict offered the first real-world glimpse into how China's premier military technologies perform under fire. The implications extend far beyond South Asia — to Taiwan, the East and South China Seas and global arms markets. The operational lessons drawn from this brief war matter not just for India and Pakistan, but for military planners from Tokyo to Washington. Scrutinizing Chinese systems Pakistan relied heavily on Chinese military hardware. Most notably, it deployed the J-10C 'Vigorous Dragon' fighter jets armed with PL-15E air-to-air missiles and HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile systems with a 200-kilometer engagement envelope. These platforms were tested in actual combat for the first time. Chinese satellite reconnaissance reportedly supported Pakistani targeting, with Beijing even re-tasking satellites to enhance coverage over Indian military zones. Yet despite the apparent sophistication of Pakistan's imported arsenal, the results were far from decisive. The J-10Cs launched multiple PL-15E missiles at Indian targets, but there is no independent verification of successful hits. India's integrated air defenses withstood the onslaught, gaining air superiority. Indeed, by the conflict's end, Indian airstrikes had crippled major Pakistani air bases — including Nur Khan and Bholari — without suffering any confirmed retaliatory damage. Nur Khan, near Pakistan's nuclear command and army headquarters, was particularly symbolic. Its targeting by Indian cruise missiles signaled a calibrated message: Even high-value, well-defended assets are not beyond reach. Disproportionate impact While both sides employed drones and missiles, the quality of strikes proved more decisive than the quantity. Pakistan reportedly launched 300 to 400 drones in a single night, yet satellite imagery showed little damage on Indian soil. India, by contrast, relied on precision standoff weapons — especially the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile, codeveloped with Russia — which successfully hit high-value targets in Pakistan with minimal risk to Indian military personnel. The BrahMos missile, already exported by India, emerged as the standout performer of the conflict. It demonstrated both survivability and pinpoint accuracy in a contested airspace, validating India's investment in standoff precision platforms. These are designed to destroy critical infrastructure without needing to cross the enemy's border. India's shift toward such systems reflects a broader strategic change: moving from reactive defense to a more assertive doctrine that punishes Pakistan's transborder terrorism with calibrated strikes. This could have far-reaching implications for deterrence on the Indian subcontinent. Global strategic significance There are three major reasons why this short conflict merits serious international attention. First, it offers a preview of what a future Chinese military operation might look like. Beijing has made no secret of its ambitions toward Taiwan and any effort to seize or blockade the self-governing island would likely rely on systems similar to those used by Pakistan. That makes the observed performance of the J-10C, PL-15E and HQ-9 systems particularly relevant to U.S. and allied military planners. Second, in the South China Sea, China has grown increasingly aggressive, harassing Philippine and Vietnamese vessels with ramming, water cannons and even bladed weapons. If China were to escalate in this region, the same air and missile systems could come into play. The India-Pakistan conflict thus provides critical insight into their combat performance and vulnerabilities. Third, in the Himalayas, India and China remain locked in a military standoff that was triggered in 2020 by Chinese encroachments on Indian borderlands. Despite diplomatic moves to ease tensions, both countries continue to mass troops and weaponry along their disputed frontier. The combat data generated from the conflict with Pakistan offers India an invaluable edge in anticipating Chinese capabilities and countermeasures. Propaganda vs. reality Predictably, the information war ran parallel to the actual conflict. Pakistan claimed to have shot down at least five Indian fighter jets on the first day. However, no wreckage has been presented and satellite imagery has not corroborated the claim. The Indian military dismissed the allegation, stating that all its pilots returned safely. On the Indian side, Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai stated that some Pakistani aircraft were downed over Pakistan's own territory. This claim, while more plausible given the precision of India's strikes, similarly lacks independent verification. What is evident, however, is the absence of traditional dogfights between rival warplanes. All air combat appears to have occurred beyond visual range, with neither side's fighter jets crossing international borders. This reflects the international evolution in the nature of air warfare, emphasizing sensors, missiles and electronic warfare over maneuverability and pilot skill. Electronic warfare and drones Both sides deployed drones extensively, but with varying degrees of effectiveness. India primarily used small drones for ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), whereas Pakistan fielded swarms of drones for both reconnaissance and attack. However, Pakistan's boast of neutralizing 85% of Indian drones seems overstated. Conversely, India's robust electronic warfare systems, along with its multilayered air defenses, effectively intercepted or deflected most Pakistani projectiles, including a ballistic missile aimed at New Delhi. Interestingly, China's CM-401 missile — a hypersonic anti-ship missile launched in this conflict from upgraded JF-17 jets — was reportedly used by Pakistan against land targets. Yet there was no visible or confirmed impact, raising questions about the missile's versatility outside its intended maritime role. The geopolitical signaling The tide of battle turned decisively after the explosions from the May 10 Indian strike on Nur Khan airbase triggered American alarm, especially given that Pakistani nuclear assets are located near this airbase. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio intervened, urging Pakistan's military leadership to de-escalate. Within hours, Pakistan's director-general of military operations contacted his Indian counterpart to propose an immediate ceasefire, which India accepted. This sequence underscores two points. First, Indian strikes achieved their objective of imposing costs without triggering an all-out war. Second, India effectively pierced the perceived immunity conferred by Pakistan's nuclear deterrent — an umbrella under which Pakistan has long sponsored cross-border terrorism with relative impunity. Final takeaways For China, the conflict served as a valuable though sobering test of its exported weaponry. While some systems functioned adequately, others like the HQ-9 air defense system showed critical vulnerabilities when deployed without integrated support. Beijing will likely revise and upgrade these platforms based on the feedback from its client-state. For India, the conflict validated its investment in precision strike capabilities and highlighted the importance of indigenous platforms like the BrahMos. It also signaled a new doctrinal posture — proactive, punitive and technologically assertive. For the world, this short conflict provided a rare, real-world laboratory to observe how modern missile and drone warfare unfolds between technologically matched rivals. In an era of strategic ambiguity and hybrid threats, those lessons are not just instructive; they are indispensable. Brahma Chellaney is a geostrategist and the author of nine books, including 'Water: Asia's New Battleground.'
Bloomberg
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Why China's Fighter Jets Should Worry the US and Taiwan
The recent aerial clash between Pakistan and India offers a glimpse of how China is narrowing the gap in military airpower with the US. It's a warning not just for Washington, but for Taipei, too. Claims from both sides remain contested, but a broader picture is emerging among experts who track China's air force and fighter jet development: Beijing's defense systems are growing increasingly credible. Pakistan said its deployment of Chinese-manufactured J-10C fighters downed multiple Indian aircraft, although New Delhi denies this.
