SOURCE: AFI
Air Commodore Nouman Ali Khan, who gained recognition for shooting down an Indian MiG-21 Bison while piloting an F-16 during the 2019 aerial engagement known as Operation Swift Retort, recently shared his insights in an interview with HUM News. When asked about India’s acquisition of the Rafale fighter jets in the last six years, he expressed his views on the regional air power dynamics and the capabilities of modern fighter jets.
The interview took a provocative turn when Khan was asked about India’s Rafale acquisition, a process that began in 2016 and saw 36 jets delivered by 2022, significantly bolstering the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Rafale, a 4.5-generation twin-engine fighter, is equipped with advanced AESA radar, Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles (150 km+), and stealth features, positioning it as a cornerstone of India’s air power against Pakistan and China.
Khan dismissed the Rafale’s regional dominance, instead championing the Chinese Chengdu J-10CE, a single-engine 4.5-generation multirole fighter inducted by the PAF in 2022. “The J-10CE is the best fighter jet in the region,” he declared. “It outperforms in agility, avionics, and combat versatility.” Acquired as part of a 25-jet deal with an option for 11 more, the J-10CE features an AESA radar, PL-15 missiles (200-300 km range), and a thrust-vectoring WS-10B engine, offering supermaneuverability. Khan’s endorsement aligns with Pakistan’s strategic pivot toward China, especially post-2019, as U.S. restrictions on F-16 usage and spares have strained reliance on American platforms.
While Khan didn’t elaborate on specific technical comparisons, his claim likely rests on the J-10CE’s agility—owing to its delta-wing and canard design—and its integration of cutting-edge Chinese weaponry, which rivals the Rafale’s Meteor with the PL-15’s extended reach. However, analysts note the Rafale’s twin-engine reliability, combat-proven record (e.g., Libya, Syria), and sensor fusion give it an edge in sustained operations, areas where the J-10CE, though formidable, lacks operational history.
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