Uzbekistan authorities now officially confirmed fact of receiving first J-10C fighters from China — this involves at minimum six aircraft, corresponding footage was shown on national television.
News is interesting because Uzbekistan purchased these Chinese J-10Cs for gradual replacement of existing MiG-29s and also decommissioned Su-27s. In other words, this is another example of how russia gradually loses its influence in traditional spheres of influence.
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As The Aviationist publication specifies, currently overall quantity of purchased J-10Cs and other contract parameters for Uzbekistan are not disclosed.
Ferry flight of specifically six fighters of indicated type, their landing and subsequent ceremonies were shown on broadcast of state channel Uzbekistan24, within celebrations of country's 35th independence anniversary.
J-10C in configuration for Uzbekistan Air Force do not have air refueling probe. At same time noted is these aircraft flew 3,000-kilometer route to their new basing location from Chinese city of Chengdu, where J-10C production actually takes place.
Weapons package to be supplied together with J-10Cs is currently not disclosed. Only assumption exists it may include PL-10, PL-12 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles.
Defense Express adds that currently Uzbekistan Air Force combat aviation in service has 12 MiG-29 fighters and 12 Su-25 attack aircraft, and besides this — another 18 MiG-29s, 26 Su-27s and 15 Su-24s in storage. Possible fighter purchase from China to replace MiG-29 and Su-27 for Uzbekistan was discussed back in April 2025.
Separately interesting is Uzbekistan itself back in 2012 effectively exited CSTO and maintains quite high for Central Asia defense spending level of $3 billion annually.
Before purchasing Chinese fighters, Uzbekistan also had Chinese S-300 clone, and then showed other secretly received SAM systems from China as possible S-125 replacement.
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