A series of export wins for China's 4.5-generation supersonic fighter jets across Asian markets has drawn attention to what appears to be a formidable new competitor for South Korea. China's state-run English-language newspaper Global Times reported on August 31 that the Chinese-built J-10CE, which saw action during last year's armed clashes between India and Pakistan, recently made a surprise appearance at an official event in Uzbekistan.
According to the report, a J-10CE bearing Uzbek military markings appeared on Uzbekistan 24, a channel under the state TV and radio broadcaster, during a live broadcast of the country's 35th independence anniversary celebrations on August 28. The outlet said the appearance confirmed that Uzbekistan had become the second country after Pakistan to acquire the J-10CE. Neither government has officially confirmed the deal.
The J-10CE is an export version of the J-10, a fighter jet developed domestically by China. The aircraft has been in operational service since 2003. The J-10C, an upgraded version first unveiled in 2017, is rated as a 4.5-generation fighter and carries China's PL-15 air-to-air missile. The jet gained prominence last May when Pakistani forces used a J-10CE to shoot down a French-made Rafale.
Earlier, U.S. defense and security outlet The Defense Post reported on August 27 that Bangladesh was in the final stages of a $2.3 billion arms purchase that includes Chinese J-10 supersonic fighters. It would be the largest defense procurement in Bangladesh's history. The contract is understood to include several dozen J-10CE export-model fighters.
Under the agreement, Bangladesh would buy more than 20 J-10CE fighters directly from China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp. (CATIC) in a deal worth $2.3 billion (about 3.09 trillion won), with only the final signing remaining. The unit price is $62.7 million (about 85 billion won), but that rises to roughly $115 million (about 155 billion won) when technical support, infrastructure development and crew training are included.
Zahed Ur Rahman, a policy and strategy adviser to the Bangladeshi government, told a press briefing that the government had finalized a draft contract for the procurement of multirole fighter jets, according to Bloomberg and Reuters. The aircraft cited was the J-10CE, the export variant of the Chinese J-10. Local Bangladeshi media reported that the government was considering buying up to 24 aircraft.
China's Sweeping Offer: Payments Split Over 10 Years
What stands out is that China agreed to let Bangladesh pay in equal installments over 10 years through 2036 to spread out the financial burden. Some observers say that by pushing into Asian markets with such aggressive 10-year installment financing, China has emerged as a formidable rival for South Korea's own fighter jet exports.
Analysts warn the shift could hurt South Korea's defense industry, which has been targeting emerging markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East with its 4.5-generation supersonic KF-21 Boramae. Industry officials in South Korea already see China's 10-year installment model as something that could shape fighter replacement programs in other Asian countries.
Because the approach is likely to drive down bid prices or trigger demands for long-term concessional loans, analysts say Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will have little choice but to revise its KF-21 sales strategy. If Chinese fighters gain sales momentum in emerging markets first, South Korean jets will face growing pressure over the medium to long term to bundle state-backed financing packages into export negotiations.
Others caution that the outcome remains uncertain, noting that the financial strain on Bangladesh cannot be dismissed given that this would be the country's largest-ever defense purchase. Some analysts argue that if the final contract falls apart over funding or China withdraws the long-term financing terms, questions about reliability would come to the fore, strengthening the appeal and export competitiveness of South Korea's defense industry.
