TSAMTO, February 17. Flight tests of the first multi-purpose J-10C fighters produced for the Pakistan Air Force have begun at the factory airfield of the Chinese corporation Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG).
As reported by Scramble.nl During flight tests, spotters spotted two J-10CS with serial numbers 22-102 and 22-106, painted in a two-tone gray color scheme and identification marks of the Pakistan Air Force.
The fact that Pakistan, in response to India's purchase of French Rafales, ordered a batch of 25 Chinese-made J-10C (squadron) multi-purpose fighters, became known at the end of last year.
At the end of December 2021, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Pakistan, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, announced that on March 23, 2022, a squadron of 25 J-10C aircraft would take part in a military parade as part of the celebration of Pakistan Day.
According to the information Scramble.nl at the moment, a pair of J-10C fighters have already been transferred to Pakistan, but there is no confirmation of this data.
It is known that in 2020, J-10C participated in joint exercises of Pakistan and China, at which Pakistani experts had the opportunity to carefully study the fighters. The joint exercises began on December 7, 2020 in Pakistan and lasted about 20 days. China has sent military aircraft to the exercises, including J-10C, J-11B fighters, KJ-500 AWACS aircraft and Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft. Pakistan took part in exercises with JF-17 Thunder and Mirage-3 fighters.
The J-10 is a Chinese all-weather multi-purpose fighter of the fourth generation. Designed and manufactured by the Chinese corporation Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG). The fighters use the engines of NPO Saturn of Russian and Chinese (licensed) production.
Since last year, the aircraft have been equipped with a nationally produced WS10B engine, which replaced the Russian AL-31FN turbofan engines. It is estimated that up to 270 J-10 B/C versions have been assembled for the PLA Air Force at the moment.
