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Chengdu J-10
Photo: Alert5 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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ChengduJ-10

Air Superiority Fighters · People's Republic of China · 2005
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ChengduJ-10

Chengdu J-10
Chengdu J-10 Photo: Alert5 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Air-to-Air Lethality
75
Agility
70
Speed
60
Radar & Avionics
70
Range
65
Stealth
30
Survivability
70
Reliability
75
Technology
70
Cost-Effectiveness
80
Origin People's Republic of China
ManufacturerChengdu Aircraft Industry Group
CategoryAir Superiority Fighters
EraPost-Cold War
In service2005
Operators2 countries
Quantity600
Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
66
Air Superiority Fighters MASS Rating
7/10
Post-Cold War
47/832
All-Time
Air Superiority Fighters · 10 axes scored
Air-to-Air Lethality
75
Agility
70
Speed
60
Radar & Avionics
70
Range
65
Stealth
30
Survivability
70
Reliability
75
Technology
70
Cost-Effectiveness
80
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Chengdu J-10
Production
2005–
Quantity
600
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · POST-COLD WAR
7
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
66
air superiority fighters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1998
  • Service Entry Year2003
  • Crew1
  • Primary Rolemultirole combat aircraft
  • Generationthird-generation fighter
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
▣Performance9MOD.9
  • Top Speed2,223 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)1.8 Mach
  • Stall Speed200 km/h
  • Service Ceiling18,000 m
  • Ferry Range2,950 km
  • Combat Radius1,200 km
  • Rate of Climb300 m/s
  • G-Limit9
  • Takeoff Run500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length16.9 m
  • Wingspan9.13 m
  • Height4.6 m
  • Wing Area38
  • Empty Weight8,500 kg
  • Loaded Weight14,000 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight19,000 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built600
  • Operators2
  • Variants8
▲Service History1MOD.1
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 2005Production started
  2. 2021Sale: Pakistan (25 units)
21
years in service
600
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Inventory1country · 20units
20active
Chengdu J-10SALES1records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
2021Pakistan25——
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE11terms
Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar: a radar system using a phased array antenna to steer and scan electronically.
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
A helmet-mounted display system that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at targets, tracking head movements to direct sensors or weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Air Superiority Fighters entry →