Photos have emerged of an unmarked J-10CE (with the serial number 1020) undergoing testing at Chengdu, with the Uzbek Air Force pegged as the potential customer.
If the reported 24-unit order is confirmed, that would make Uzbekistan the second foreign operator of the J-10CE, following the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which inducted 20 aircraft and used them as part of its air operations in a recent conflict with India in May 2025.
Indonesia and Bangladesh are also poised to become J-10CE customers, with Jakarta reviewing the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s (AVIC) proposals for 42 aircraft and Dhaka planning to initiate talks with Beijing for 24 aircraft.
Given that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is no longer procuring the J-10C, each unit built at Chengdu is effectively meant for export (i.e., J-10CE).
Contract activity surrounding the J-10CE surged following the 2025 Indo-Pak Conflict, during which the PAF reported that its J-10CEs shot down several Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.
However, while there is a correlation between the conflict and the sudden spate of contracts being signed, it should be noted that AVIC had been working towards market growth prior to 2025.
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