The outbreak of a new armed conflict between India and Pakistan is being closely followed by the world’s major powers. In addition to the regional and global concern caused by the fact that both countries possess nuclear weapons, other issues are also drawing close attention. In particular, the new combat platforms being deployed by the Pakistan Air Force, such as the JF-17 Thunder and J-10C fighters, which have been supplied by China over the past months and years.
In recent days, reports of the conflict have become commonplace on social media, where, depending on users’ affiliations or loyalties, new shootdowns of Indian and Pakistani aircraft are being claimed.
In this context, the possible first combat use of the new PL-15 air-to-air missiles — supplied by China to Pakistan and part of the armament used by the JF-17 Thunder Block III and J-10CE fighters — has attracted particular attention from Chinese state-linked companies and media outlets.
These outlets have echoed the official statements made by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, who confirmed that the J-10CE is taking part in the country’s armed response to India’s Operation Sindoor. Dar stated that the aircraft were ordered “…to only target Indian jets that had released their payloads,” and noted that a total of five aircraft were shot down — a claim dismissed by the Indian government as “disinformation.”
The participation of Chinese-origin fighters such as the J-10CE marks the first time this new aircraft, manufactured by Chengdu, has been deployed in combat — an event that is likely being closely monitored by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
Beyond the information war on social media, with conflicting reports of shootdowns and no official confirmation from either side to validate them, this represents an unprecedented situation in which Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder and J-10CE fighters may be facing some of the most advanced Western-made jets, such as India’s Dassault Rafale.
Although further details remain to be clarified, it appears that the first confirmed loss of a combat aircraft may be that of an Indian Air Force Rafale — a claim not yet confirmed by the institution. This is based on the discovery of parts of a vertical stabilizer bearing the registration BS-001, which is believed to belong to one of the force’s Rafale fighters.
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