Fighter jets are one of the most expensive products in the world. They also have their own geopolitical significance. They not only bring big revenue to exporting countries but also carry a lot of strategic heft. Export of fighter jets also brings strategic partnerships with the importing countries, particularly through joint development and production programmes, strengthening political and military ties between the two countries. While China has emerged as a global power, it still lacks the prestige and influence that comes with fighter jet exports. That's why it's desperate to sell its fighter jets to other countries by any means.
China appears to have fuelled the false propaganda that Pakistan's Chinese-made fighter jets downed French-made Rafale jets during skirmishes between the two countries in May. China deployed its embassies to spread doubts about the performance of Rafale jets, French military and intelligence officials have concluded, implicating Beijing in an effort to hammer the reputation and sales of France’s flagship fighter, The Associated Press has reported. Findings from a French intelligence service seen by the AP say defense attaches in China’s foreign embassies led a charge to undermine Rafale sales, seeking to persuade countries that have already ordered the French-made fighter -- notably Indonesia -- not to buy more and to encourage other potential buyers to choose Chinese-made planes.
Also Read: China tried to undermine Rafale's reputation
China's struggle to emerge as a fighter jet exporter
In recent times, China has intensified efforts to challenge the global dominance of Western military aircraft. Yet, despite China's growing influence in areas like electric vehicles and consumer electronics, its emergence as a reliable exporter of high-end fighter aircraft has been anything but smooth. Countries that have purchased Chinese jets have faced a range of issues, technical, logistical and geopolitical, that continue to limit the competitiveness of Beijing’s aerospace industry.
Among the few countries that have fully embraced Chinese fighter jets, Pakistan stands out as the primary customer and strategic partner. The Chengdu J-10CE “Vigorous Dragon,” a 4.5-generation multirole fighter, was inducted into the Pakistan Air Force in 2022, with at least 20 jets already delivered and more expected. The J-10CE, equipped with AESA radar and PL-15 long-range missiles, was touted as Pakistan’s answer to India’s Rafales, especially after their deployment in the 2025 skirmishes. Pakistan is also the co-developer of the JF-17 Thunder, a lightweight fighter jet designed to serve as a low-cost alternative to Western platforms. Over 150 JF-17s are operational in Pakistan, and the aircraft has also been exported to Myanmar, Nigeria, and more recently to Iraq, which signed a $664 million deal for 12 aircraft. Azerbaijan is reportedly acquiring eight JF-17s as well.
However, the operational record of these aircraft has been mixed at best. Myanmar, for instance, grounded its JF-17 fleet in 2022 due to serious concerns over performance and system failures, reportedly linked to the difficulty in sourcing quality components amid international sanctions. Nigeria has reported frequent maintenance issues, while Pakistan itself has faced multiple incidents involving engine failures and crashes, calling into question the aircraft’s long-term viability. These reliability concerns have stained the reputation of China’s defense aerospace industry, particularly when compared to well-established Western manufacturers.
Last month, Myanmar reportedly lost a Chinese-origin fighter aircraft to a technical failure, once again underscoring the challenges of sustaining these platforms in the field. Countries evaluating Chinese aircraft are acutely aware of these problems, and many remain cautious about committing to large purchases.
China has actively sought to expand its customer base for fighter jets, particularly in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Indonesia has emerged as a critical test case though it is said to be buying Turkish Kaan jets. Bangladesh has also expressed interest in acquiring up to 16 J-10CEs to modernize its aging air force. Iran has signaled its preference for Chinese J-10s over Russian Su-35s due to delays, though it remains to be seen whether this will translate into a finalised contract given the geopolitical implications.
China’s ambitions also include stealth fighters, particularly the Shenyang J-35. Pakistan is rumoured to be the intended first export customer, with speculation of a 40-aircraft order. However, Pakistani defense officials have denied that any immediate delivery is planned, suggesting that discussions remain speculative. A more significant setback occurred with Saudi Arabia, which reportedly rejected the J-35E in favor of Turkey’s Kaan fighter jet, citing cost and quality concerns. This rejection, if confirmed, represents a significant blow to Beijing’s aspirations in the Gulf arms market. Iraq was said to be interested in purchasing the JF-17, but is also considering the Rafale.
Can Chinese jets compete with the Rafale?
In technical and operational terms, the Rafale remains far ahead of any Chinese competitor currently available for export. The French fighter has proven itself in multiple combat theaters, from Libya and Syria to the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating superior avionics, reliability and logistical support. It carries advanced weaponry, including the Meteor beyond-visual-range missile, and benefits from an extensive global support network.
China’s J-10CE and JF-17, while cheaper and more readily available, have yet to match this level of performance. The J-10CE does incorporate modern features such as AESA radar and PL-15 missiles, narrowing the technological gap. However, lingering doubts about build quality, system integration, and after-sales service continue to hamper its attractiveness to serious buyers.
More importantly, Chinese defense firms struggle with trust and transparency. Their supply chains are vulnerable to sanctions, and there is a notable lack of institutional experience in providing long-term maintenance and training packages, an area where Western manufacturers excel. Even when Chinese jets are cheaper, many governments hesitate due to the long-term risks associated with maintenance, parts availability and combat performance.
In the short term, China is likely to secure incremental sales to lower-income countries or those geopolitically aligned with Beijing or Islamabad. Bangladesh, Egypt, and some African nations may pursue acquisitions for reasons of cost and availability. Indonesia, however, represents the biggest potential prize: a J-10 sale there would validate China’s fighter export program in a major Southeast Asian democracy that also buys from the West. In the medium term, the success of more advanced platforms like the J-35 will depend heavily on proving operational reliability and integrating with customer infrastructure, tasks that Chinese firms have historically struggled with. The rejection by Saudi Arabia is emblematic of the skepticism still facing Chinese aerospace ambitions.
Long-term competitiveness will require sustained improvements in quality control, a consistent track record of performance, and the development of a global support network capable of servicing jets through decades of operation. Moreover, Beijing must work to overcome political and diplomatic barriers that make Western platforms more attractive in terms of alliances, interoperability, and institutional trust.
(With agency inputs)
China appears to have fuelled the false propaganda that Pakistan's Chinese-made fighter jets downed French-made Rafale jets during skirmishes between the two countries in May. China deployed its embassies to spread doubts about the performance of Rafale jets, French military and intelligence officials have concluded, implicating Beijing in an effort to hammer the reputation and sales of France’s flagship fighter, The Associated Press has reported. Findings from a French intelligence service seen by the AP say defense attaches in China’s foreign embassies led a charge to undermine Rafale sales, seeking to persuade countries that have already ordered the French-made fighter -- notably Indonesia -- not to buy more and to encourage other potential buyers to choose Chinese-made planes.
Also Read: China tried to undermine Rafale's reputation
China's struggle to emerge as a fighter jet exporter
In recent times, China has intensified efforts to challenge the global dominance of Western military aircraft. Yet, despite China's growing influence in areas like electric vehicles and consumer electronics, its emergence as a reliable exporter of high-end fighter aircraft has been anything but smooth. Countries that have purchased Chinese jets have faced a range of issues, technical, logistical and geopolitical, that continue to limit the competitiveness of Beijing’s aerospace industry.
Among the few countries that have fully embraced Chinese fighter jets, Pakistan stands out as the primary customer and strategic partner. The Chengdu J-10CE “Vigorous Dragon,” a 4.5-generation multirole fighter, was inducted into the Pakistan Air Force in 2022, with at least 20 jets already delivered and more expected. The J-10CE, equipped with AESA radar and PL-15 long-range missiles, was touted as Pakistan’s answer to India’s Rafales, especially after their deployment in the 2025 skirmishes. Pakistan is also the co-developer of the JF-17 Thunder, a lightweight fighter jet designed to serve as a low-cost alternative to Western platforms. Over 150 JF-17s are operational in Pakistan, and the aircraft has also been exported to Myanmar, Nigeria, and more recently to Iraq, which signed a $664 million deal for 12 aircraft. Azerbaijan is reportedly acquiring eight JF-17s as well.
However, the operational record of these aircraft has been mixed at best. Myanmar, for instance, grounded its JF-17 fleet in 2022 due to serious concerns over performance and system failures, reportedly linked to the difficulty in sourcing quality components amid international sanctions. Nigeria has reported frequent maintenance issues, while Pakistan itself has faced multiple incidents involving engine failures and crashes, calling into question the aircraft’s long-term viability. These reliability concerns have stained the reputation of China’s defense aerospace industry, particularly when compared to well-established Western manufacturers.
Last month, Myanmar reportedly lost a Chinese-origin fighter aircraft to a technical failure, once again underscoring the challenges of sustaining these platforms in the field. Countries evaluating Chinese aircraft are acutely aware of these problems, and many remain cautious about committing to large purchases.
China has actively sought to expand its customer base for fighter jets, particularly in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Indonesia has emerged as a critical test case though it is said to be buying Turkish Kaan jets. Bangladesh has also expressed interest in acquiring up to 16 J-10CEs to modernize its aging air force. Iran has signaled its preference for Chinese J-10s over Russian Su-35s due to delays, though it remains to be seen whether this will translate into a finalised contract given the geopolitical implications.
China’s ambitions also include stealth fighters, particularly the Shenyang J-35. Pakistan is rumoured to be the intended first export customer, with speculation of a 40-aircraft order. However, Pakistani defense officials have denied that any immediate delivery is planned, suggesting that discussions remain speculative. A more significant setback occurred with Saudi Arabia, which reportedly rejected the J-35E in favor of Turkey’s Kaan fighter jet, citing cost and quality concerns. This rejection, if confirmed, represents a significant blow to Beijing’s aspirations in the Gulf arms market. Iraq was said to be interested in purchasing the JF-17, but is also considering the Rafale.
Can Chinese jets compete with the Rafale?
In technical and operational terms, the Rafale remains far ahead of any Chinese competitor currently available for export. The French fighter has proven itself in multiple combat theaters, from Libya and Syria to the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating superior avionics, reliability and logistical support. It carries advanced weaponry, including the Meteor beyond-visual-range missile, and benefits from an extensive global support network.
China’s J-10CE and JF-17, while cheaper and more readily available, have yet to match this level of performance. The J-10CE does incorporate modern features such as AESA radar and PL-15 missiles, narrowing the technological gap. However, lingering doubts about build quality, system integration, and after-sales service continue to hamper its attractiveness to serious buyers.
More importantly, Chinese defense firms struggle with trust and transparency. Their supply chains are vulnerable to sanctions, and there is a notable lack of institutional experience in providing long-term maintenance and training packages, an area where Western manufacturers excel. Even when Chinese jets are cheaper, many governments hesitate due to the long-term risks associated with maintenance, parts availability and combat performance.
In the short term, China is likely to secure incremental sales to lower-income countries or those geopolitically aligned with Beijing or Islamabad. Bangladesh, Egypt, and some African nations may pursue acquisitions for reasons of cost and availability. Indonesia, however, represents the biggest potential prize: a J-10 sale there would validate China’s fighter export program in a major Southeast Asian democracy that also buys from the West. In the medium term, the success of more advanced platforms like the J-35 will depend heavily on proving operational reliability and integrating with customer infrastructure, tasks that Chinese firms have historically struggled with. The rejection by Saudi Arabia is emblematic of the skepticism still facing Chinese aerospace ambitions.
Long-term competitiveness will require sustained improvements in quality control, a consistent track record of performance, and the development of a global support network capable of servicing jets through decades of operation. Moreover, Beijing must work to overcome political and diplomatic barriers that make Western platforms more attractive in terms of alliances, interoperability, and institutional trust.
(With agency inputs)
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