Pakistan and India are known enemies, even though they’re neighbours and share a lot of the same geographical landscape. Both are nuclear power, any tension will cause a big disaster in Asia.
The recent outbreak of war between two countries beyond the enduring Kashmir dispute has reignited global focus on military assets like China’s J-10C jets, France’s Rafale fighters, and the military rivalry between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan has claimed it successfully downed three French-made Rafale jets belonging to India. Claims about the initial attack and the aftermath have differed widely, with both New Delhi and Islamabad withholding detailed official statements.
However, side-by-side comparisons of the two nations’ military prowess, including defense spending, soldier levels, tanks, aircraft, and more, quickly look on social media and traditional media.
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt. Gen Ahmed Sharif, said that PAF had shot down five Indian aircraft, including three French Rafales, one Russian SU-30MKI, and one MiG-29, just hours after India launched airstrikes early Wednesday last week, allegedly in retaliation for the deaths of 26 people in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
The key Details
After this, Pakistan made claims, but India didn’t initially respond to these claims. After a few days, the Indian Air Force admitted Sunday that it suffered a huge combat loss against Pakistan during last week’s clashes.
They declared to a question, which said that “we lost some parts during combat” without giving details, but claimed their pilots were back home safely.
The loss is so big that India faces backlash from the international media and people. Also on Wednesday, four government sources in Indian-ruled Kashmir said that three fighter jets were demolished in the federal territory, hours after India claimed they attacked nine Pakistani “terrorist infrastructure” including Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muzafarabad. After these attacks, the Pakistan Army said they attacked our civilian areas, and we’ll thoroughly retaliate now.
An overview of the J-10's capabilities and performance.
The J-10C is a modern Fighter jet made by China and used by both China and Pakistan. It can fly very fast and very high (up to 18,000 meters). This Jet has credibility like flying very high and attacking ground targets precisely.
It has advanced radar to spot and track enemies and carries powerful missiles, including the long-range PL-15.
It’s not fully secret but has features to avoid detection. In recent clashes between India and Pakistan, the J-10C was reportedly used in combat, catching attention for its performance against Western jets like the Rafale.
Rafale and J-10C are 4.5 generation aircraft, yet the French aircraft, with its twin-engine, air-to-air and reconnaissance capabilities added in its standard F3 release, which has been observed in many successful warplanes internationally.
India and Qatar have chosen it for purchase, and on just recent occasion, Pakistan and India were facing, New Delhi announced the signing of a contract to purchase 26 jets from France, adding to the 36 jets it had already acquired in recent years.
Glimpse of Rafale
The French company Dassault Aviation created the twin-engine, multipurpose fighter jet known as the Dassault Rafale. The Rafale is renowned for its adaptability and can perform a variety of tasks, such as nuclear deterrent, air superiority, ground assault, and surveillance. It has enhanced situational awareness and stealth capabilities thanks to its sophisticated avionics, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and SPECTRA electronic warfare suite.
The Rafale has a formidable arsenal that includes the Meteor, SCALP, and MICA missiles, and it can travel at speeds of above Mach 1.8. Operating from strategic locations like Ambala and Hasimara, the Rafale, which was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2020, has greatly improved India's air combat capabilities.
Key Difference Rafale/J-10C
Feature | Dassault Rafale | Chengdu J-10C |
Origin | France | China |
Role | 4.5 gen Multirole Fighter | 4 ++ gen Multirole Fighter |
Engines | Twin-engine (Snecma M88) | Single-Engine (WWS-10B or AL-31FN) |
Combat Range | ~1,850 km (without refueling) | ~1,240 km |
Radar | RBE2-AESA (Active electronically scanned array) | KLJ-7A AESA radar |
Stealth Features | Radar-absorbent materials, reduced RCS | Some stealth shaping, less refined RCS |
Operational countries | France, India, Egypt, Qatar, and Greece | China and Pakistan. |
Meager Details
Western analysts and industry sources, however, said crucial details remained unclear, including whether the Meteor was carried and the type and amount of training the pilots had received. Arms firms would also be anxious to separate technical performance from operational factors, analysts said.
"There will be audits of what works and what doesn't work, but I think the other overlay is the proverbial fog of war," said Byron Callan, a Washington-based defence expert and managing partner of Capital Alpha Partners.
U.S. arms companies are getting constant feedback about how their products are working in the war in Ukraine, he said.
"I therefore fully anticipate that the same will apply to India's European suppliers, and China and Pakistan are likely to exchange similar opinions. The Chinese would like to know whether the PL-15 is performing as promised or better than anticipated.
China is one of Pakistan's main defence suppliers, and the two countries have a tight working relationship.
The video of a Pakistani army official (Aurangzaib) joking during a press conference that the "Rafale is a very potent aircraft... if employed well" went viral on social media, with users praising their military, which has significantly less money, manpower, and equipment than the Indian military, as a "David versus Goliath victory."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is J-10C a good fighter jet?
J-10C is a capable jet and considered a modern fighter jet. With agility, versatility, and the ability to target ground and any location precisely.
2. Is J-17 better than Rafale?
Rafale is considered a more advanced and capable aircraft than the JF-17 Thunder, yet both are multirole fighter jets.
3. What is the number 1 fighter jet?
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is considered the top fighter jet in the world due to its advanced stealth capabilities.
