SOURCE: AFI
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) recently evaluated its newly acquired Chengdu J-10CE fighter jets, equipped with the KLJ-10 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and found them to offer significant detection and engagement advantages over the F-16 Block 52 radar systems. According to an assessment report, the J-10CE’s radar provides an estimated 50-kilometer range advantage in detecting targets, allowing the aircraft to engage opponents from greater distances in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) scenarios.
In 2022, Pakistan inducted six J-10CE jets into its fleet, which were prominently displayed during the National Day military parade. The addition of the J-10CE marks a substantial upgrade to the PAF’s operational capability, complementing its existing fleet of F-16s. Pakistani defense officials, along with PAF pilots, have highlighted the performance of the J-10CE in both BVR and close-range combat exercises. Squadron Leader Obar, a seasoned pilot who has flown both the F-16 and J-10CE, provided insights on the situational awareness, range, and maneuverability of the J-10CE, particularly when engaged in air-to-air combat scenarios.
The KLJ-10 AESA radar on the J-10CE has been identified as a significant force multiplier, especially when compared to the mechanically scanned AN/APG-68(V)9 radar of the F-16 Block 52. With an extended detection range, the J-10CE can identify and track targets earlier than the F-16 Block 52. This range advantage could potentially enable PAF pilots to gain a critical first-strike capability by detecting and engaging adversaries before they themselves are within range of detection or engagement.
The J-10CE’s radar operates alongside the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile, which is reportedly capable of engaging targets at ranges that surpass the reach of the AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM missiles currently deployed on Pakistan’s F-16s. This pairing has reportedly boosted the J-10CE’s capabilities in the BVR realm, providing a range advantage that could be decisive in air-to-air engagements.
The PAF’s experience with the J-10CE has revealed specific advantages in BVR scenarios that were previously unattainable with the F-16 Block 52 fleet. According to Squadron Leader Obar, the AESA radar on the J-10CE enhances the pilot’s situational awareness, a critical factor in high-stakes engagements where milliseconds count. Obar noted that the radar’s range advantage allows J-10CE pilots to identify and engage hostile aircraft before they enter the F-16’s engagement envelope, increasing tactical flexibility and survivability in contested airspace.
While the F-16 Block 52 has been a reliable multirole fighter, the J-10CE’s advanced radar and longer-ranged PL-15 missile system potentially give it an edge in specific BVR scenarios. This range differential allows the J-10CE to engage incoming threats from farther distances, which is especially useful for intercept and defensive missions in sensitive border areas.
The PAF is expected to further refine its tactics and integration strategies between the F-16 and J-10CE fleets, leveraging the unique strengths of each platform. Analysts anticipate that Pakistan may consider additional J-10CE acquisitions to bolster its fleet’s BVR capabilities, particularly as regional air forces continue to enhance their own aerial capabilities.