China has announced that its J-10CE fighter jet remained undefeated in a series of simulated air combat exercises against Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in 2024. State broadcaster CCTV reported that the J-10CE won all nine mock engagements, though specific details of the exercises, including participant countries, were not disclosed.

Pakistani media subsequently identified the location and context of these drills, stating that the engagements occurred during the "Zilzal-II" joint air exercise held in Qatar in January 2024. According to these reports, Pakistan’s J-10CE fighters successfully outperformed Qatar’s Eurofighter Typhoons, which were reportedly the more advanced Tranche 3A variant.

The J-10 family traces back to the 1980s when Chengdu Aircraft Corporation developed it as a single-engine, multi-role, third-generation fighter. The J-10C, unveiled in 2017, represents a significant upgrade to a 4.5-generation status, equipped with modern engines, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and advanced missiles such as the PL-10 and PL-15. The J-10CE, an export variant, made its commercial debut in 2020 and is currently operated only by China and Pakistan.

The Eurofighter Typhoon, developed jointly by Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain starting in the 1980s, entered service in 2007. Qatar’s procurement of the Tranche 3A version, a more capable and up-to-date model, adds to the significance of the reported outcomes.

Analysts outside China have highlighted the importance of CCTV’s disclosure, noting it provides rare insight into the operational capabilities of the J-10 series and underscores the maturity of China’s fourth-generation fighter technology. One U.S.-based defense observer remarked that these results could intensify competitive pressures on the Eurofighter Typhoon’s market, especially as some current users, including its developers, are gradually phasing out the platform.

Song Zhongping, a military analyst and former instructor with the People’s Liberation Army, characterized the announcement as a potential boost to the J-10C’s export appeal. He observed, however, that geopolitical considerations may limit the number of countries willing to procure the J-10CE, suggesting that primary interest may come from nations in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

This revelation comes approximately one year after Pakistan deployed the J-10CE in live combat, claiming aerial victories over Indian fighter aircraft last May, including the downing of at least one Rafale jet. This engagement reportedly marked the first confirmed air-to-air kill by a Chinese fighter and the first combat loss of a Rafale, a notable milestone for the region’s aerial warfare dynamics.

Currently, Pakistan remains the only foreign operator of the J-10CE platform alongside China, positioning it as a key player in demonstrating the jet’s combat effectiveness on the international stage.