China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) announced that in 2025, the domestically produced J-10 fighter achieved its first-ever air-to-air combat victory. While the statement does not specify the exact time or location, it almost certainly refers to the shoot-down of an Indian Air Force Dassault Rafale by the Pakistan Air Force.
This event was named one of the ten most important developments in China's national defense industry in 2025. The list also included the commissioning of the Fujian aircraft carrier, a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, achievements in uranium production and processing, advances in the space sector, and several other milestones.
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Notably, the Chinese statement mentions that several enemy aircraft were shot down in air combat. This figure falls between Pakistan's claim of five Indian fighters destroyed and assessments by various Western analysts, who generally speak of two losses. It is also possible that the reference is not limited to Dassault Rafale aircraft and could include other types, such as the Su-30MKI.
China also claims that no J-10CE fighters were lost during the fighting. There is no publicly available evidence that directly contradicts this assertion, and in general, reliable confirmation of Pakistani air losses has been difficult to obtain.
India is likely to contest these claims, as it has reported significant successes of its own, including alleged strikes on an airborne early warning aircraft and even on an S-400 air defense system. However, given the lack of supporting evidence and India's initial denial of any aircraft losses, such statements remain unconvincing.
It is worth recalling that in May 2025, a Pakistan Air Force J-10CE reportedly shot down an Indian Dassault Rafale from a distance of approximately 200 km using a long-range PL-15 air-to-air missile. We previously covered the history of this fighter and its russian–Israeli technological roots in more detail.
Chinese officials emphasize that this combat success demonstrates the capabilities of China's defense industry and helps it carve out a distinct niche on the global arms market, raising the prospect of new export contracts in the near future. At the same time, criticism has recently emerged regarding the performance of VT-4 tanks in Thailand.
The fighting has also boosted the profile of the Pakistan–China co-developed JF-17 fighter, which is produced domestically by Pakistan. In addition to an existing contract with Libya, the aircraft is reportedly attracting interest from other countries, including Indonesia.
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