Uzbekistan unveils Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets in defense ministry video

August 30, 2026 at 06:49 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Defense released a video on August 30 showing J-10CE fighter jets protecting the country's airspace. The ministry did not disclose the number, technical specifications, or cost of the aircraft. The display follows unconfirmed reports in July that Uzbekistan had added four J-10CE jets to its air force.

Key Facts

The Ministry of Defense video showed six J-10CE fighter jets, according to Kun.uz.
UzDaily reported that the video showed three J-10CE fighters performing joint flight and maneuvers.
The J-10CE is a 4.5-generation single-seat fighter capable of speeds up to Mach 2, or 2,300 km/h.
Uzbekistan previously acquired Chinese HQ-9B, FM-90, and KS-1C air defense systems in 2015.

The Video Release

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Defense published a video on August 30 showing modern fighter jets it said were protecting the country's airspace. The ministry did not name the aircraft model in its release. Kun.uz identified the jets as J-10CE, the export version of China's J-10 fighter. The ministry has not disclosed the number of aircraft, their technical specifications, or their cost.

Aircraft Capabilities

The J-10CE is a 4.5-generation single-seat fighter with a top speed of Mach 2, or 2,300 km/h. It is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that can track and engage multiple targets simultaneously. The older radars on Uzbekistan's Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft lack this capability. UzDaily described the J-10CE as a modern multirole fighter of the 4++ generation and a key export model for China's aviation industry.

Modernization Context

Defence Security Asia, cited by UzDaily, linked Uzbekistan's interest in Chinese aircraft to the need to modernize its combat aviation. The country's fleet still consists mainly of Soviet MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters, many of which have been in service for decades. Maintenance of these aircraft is complicated by issues with spare parts supply and repairs. Uzbekistan previously purchased Chinese HQ-9B, FM-90, and KS-1C air defense systems in 2015.