Uzbekistan publicly shows Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jets
Uzbekistan has publicly displayed Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jets for the first time at the celebration of Independence Day on August 28.
The aircraft appeared on a large video screen during celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence, Kursiv Uzbekistan correspondent noticed. The display showed Chengdu J-10 fighters as part of a presentation of the country’s military capabilities.
The appearance comes after months of reports that Uzbekistan has agreed to acquire more than 20 Chinese-built fighters. Neither the Uzbek nor Chinese authorities have publicly confirmed the reported purchase details, meaning the number of aircraft and delivery schedule remain unverified.
The first batch could consist of six aircraft based at the Karshi-Khanabad airbase. That information has not been independently confirmed by Uzbekistan’s Defence Ministry.
J-10 deal would reshape Uzbekistan’s fighter fleet
The reported acquisition would introduce a Chinese-designed fighter into an Uzbek combat aviation fleet that has historically relied heavily on Soviet and Russian aircraft, Exclusive.kz reports.
According to the 2025 World Air Forces report, Uzbekistan’s inventory included MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters alongside Su-25 attack aircraft. Its broader military aviation fleet also included Il-76 and C-295 transport aircraft as well as Mi-24, Mi-8 and H215M/AS532 helicopters.
Uzbekistan had 159 aircraft and helicopters in service as of spring 2026, including 26 fighters, 13 attack aircraft, 12 transport aircraft and seven training aircraft, alongside 101 helicopters.
The development also comes as China expands its presence in the Central Asian defence market. The J-10 has already secured an export customer in Pakistan, while Bangladesh is moving towards formal negotiations over the purchase of J-10CE aircraft as it seeks to modernise its own air force.
What makes the J-10 different
The Chengdu J-10 is a single-engine multirole fighter designed for both air-to-air combat and strikes against ground targets. The aircraft first flew in 1998 and has since undergone several major upgrades.
The latest J-10C variant features an active electronically scanned array radar, modernised avionics and electronic warfare systems. It can carry PL-10 short-range air-to-air missiles and PL-15 missiles designed for longer-range engagements.
The export version is designated J-10CE. Pakistan is currently the confirmed foreign operator of the export model. The aircraft attracted international attention after its reported use by Pakistan during the 2025 conflict with India, although claims about individual aircraft losses remain disputed.
French lawmaker Marc Chavenas has cited US analysts and NATO intelligence sources in claiming that a J-10 shot down an Indian Rafale during the conflict. The allegation remains contested and should not be treated as independently established.
The J-10’s reported top speed is around Mach 1.8. Its canard-delta configuration is designed to provide high manoeuvrability, while later variants have received increasingly sophisticated radar and electronic systems.
A potential shift away from traditional supplier
If the reported purchase is completed in full, Uzbekistan would become one of the largest operators of Chinese combat aircraft outside Pakistan.
Defence publications have separately reported that Uzbekistan could eventually receive up to 24 aircraft, with estimates putting the potential value of the deal at about $1bn. However, those figures remain based on media and defence-industry reporting rather than an official announcement.
