J-10C Pakistan Successfully Disposal Of India's Rafale, This Is A Comparison Of Its Specifications And Technology

JAKARTA Tensions between India and Pakistan have peaked in recent days with reports of massive air battles in the disputed guilty region.

Amid conflicting claims, strong indications emerged that China's Chengdu J-10C fighter jet operated by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) managed to shoot down at least three French-made Rafale fighter jets belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF). If confirmed, this would be Rafale's first combat defeat, which has been considered one of the world's most advanced non-luminous fighter jets.

Pakistan has publicly claimed to have shot down five Indian warplanes on May 7, 2025, including three Rafales, using J-10C jets armed with PL-15E air-to-air missiles. Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, specifically stated that J-10C was involved in the operation.

In contrast, India denies losing any aircraft in the incident, calling Pakistan's claim disinformation. However, various international media sources and intelligence reported confirmation of the crash of at least one Rafale.

A high-level French intelligence official reportedly confirmed to CNN that an IAF-owned Rafale EH was shot down by Pakistan. Reuters also cited two US officials who stated that Pakistani fighter jets had shot down at least two Indian aircraft, including one Rafale, using air-to-air missiles.

BBC Verify has reportedly authenticated a video showing the falling debris of the Rafale. The images circulating online also show debris that is strongly suspected to have come from Rafale, including the MICA missile and the M88 engine.

The incident comes amid one of the biggest air battles in decades, involving more than 125 fighter jets from both sides. Pakistani sources claim that the J-10C electronic warfare system (EW) has disrupted Rafale's radar and communication system, which contributed to the crash of the plane.

The success claimed by J-10C, which has only been used for the first time in combat, marks a potential shift in air power balance in South Asia and could increase global market attraction for Chinese defense technology. Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) stock, the parent company maker of J-10C, reportedly experienced an increase after the news of the fighting. In contrast, the shares of Dasssault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, have decreased.

Defense analysts note that while the Rafale has advantages in some aspects, such as the ability to carry larger payloads and longer ranges, the J-10C may have a more advanced radar and PL-15E missiles with a longer range, potentially providing an advantage in combat beyond the visual range. The PL-15E missile is reported to have a range of more than 200 km, well beyond the reach of the MICA Rafale missile.

This event is being closely monitored by global powers, as it marks the first time China's advanced weapons system has been used against Western-made systems in combat. The outcome of this confrontation is likely to have long-term implications for the arms industry and global power balance.

Although Sirila's claim was denied by India, it is interesting to compare the technical capabilities of these two aircraft as closely as quoted by VOI from Global Defense Analysis:

Rafale: Powered by two Snecma M88 engines, Rafale has a thrust-to-weight ratio that is better, giving advantages in maneuvering and acceleration. Its aerodynamic design allows complex maneuvers with minimal energy loss.

J-10C: Using one WS-10 or AL-31F (export variant) engine, J-10C has a good performance but is not comparable to Rafale in terms of thrust-to-weight ratios and maneuverability.

Rafale: Equipped with the AESA RBE2 radar with 838 T/R modules, provides long-range detection and superior multi-target tracking capabilities.

J-10C: Having AESA radar with 1,200 T/R modules, but the limited power of its single engine can limit the optimal performance of this radar.

Rafale: Equipped with an advanced SPECTRA EW suite, provides protection against various threats through jamming, decoy, and early detection.

J-10C: Information about its EW system is limited, but there is no indication that this system is comparable to Rafale's SPECTRA

Rafale: Using a meteor missile with ramjet technology, provides a range of more than 200 km and the ability to maintain energy throughout the flight.

J-10C: Equipped with a PL-15 missile with a similar range, but limitations on radar could hamper the full utilization of this missile.

Rafale: It has been proven in various military operations in Mali, Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, and Syria.

J-10C: Does not yet have a significant combat track record, except in joint exercises with Pakistan.

Technically, Rafale has advantages in various aspects over J-10C, including engine performance, radar system, electronic warfare, and combat experience. The claim that J-10C successfully shot down Rafale is not supported by verifiable evidence and has been denied by India's official authorities. In this context, it is important to rely on information from official and reliable sources in assessing situations of this kind of conflict.