Pakistan formally commissions first batch of six Chinese J-10C fighter aircraft into its air force

Kamra: Pakistan has formally commissioned a first batch of six Chinese J-10C fighter aircraft into its air force at a special ceremony, with Prime Minister Imran Khan and heads of the country’s armed forces in attendance.

A Pakistan Air Force commentary during a nationally televised induction event Friday called the Chinese jet the “Dragon from the East,” saying the “omni-role” aircraft is armed with advanced electronics weapons.

“I am especially grateful to China and thank China on behalf of my nation for providing us these jets in record time of around eight months,” PM Khan said during Friday’s ceremony at the Kamra air base, about 74 kilometers northwest of the capital city of Islamabad, where Chinese diplomats and military officials were also in attendance.

Air force chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber described Friday’s induction of J-10C jets as a historic moment in the history of Pakistan.

“Today, after a gap of almost four decades, the Pakistan air force is inducting (a) next generation combat system,” Baber said. “The last such event was in 1982 when F-16 aircraft joined the Pakistani fleet,” he added, referring to a U.S.-built aircraft.

The J-10C is not the only advanced weapons system Beijing has delivered to Pakistan recently. Earlier this year, the Pakistan navy in its fleet inducted the first of four Type 054A/P frigates developed by China under a bilateral agreement.

Last month, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had disclosed the purchase of the jets at a public event, saying the aircraft will serve as a counterweight to India’s deployment of French Dassault Rafale planes.

Ahmed said a full squadron of 25 Chinese J-10C aircraft will take part in the Pakistan Day military parade on March 23 in the capital, Islamabad.

Pakistani officials revealed that the agreement with China to acquire the J-10C was signed in June 2021.