Iran is reportedly planning to purchase advanced fighter jets from China following recent heavy airstrikes by the United States and Israel. According to reports, Iran is set to acquire the Chinese-made Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jets. This move comes after Tehran’s unsuccessful attempt to procure fighter aircraft from Russia.
The J-10C jets Iran is eyeing are similar to those used by the Pakistan Air Force, which are equipped with PL-15 long-range missiles. These were the same jets deployed by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor anti-terror military action by India.
Previously, Iran had attempted to purchase Russia’s SU-35 fighter jets, but that deal ultimately fell through. Now, international media reports suggest that Iran has accelerated negotiations with China to acquire the 4.5-generation Chengdu J-10C fighters.
Iran had first initiated talks with China in 2015 to purchase around 150 J-10C jets. However, the deal stalled after China insisted on payment in foreign currency, while Iran offered oil and gas in exchange. Another major hurdle was the United Nations arms embargo on Iran at the time, which restricted such military acquisitions.
Although Iran announced in 2023 that it had finalized a deal with China to buy SU-35 fighter jets, MK-28 attack helicopters, S-400 air defense systems, and Yak-130 training aircraft, it has so far only received the training jets.
Currently, the Iranian Air Force operates a fleet of around 150 fighter jets, most of which date back to the Cold War era. These include American aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom, F-5 E/F Tiger, and F-14A Tomcat, acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, alongside Soviet-era MiG-29s.
According to The Military Balance, an annual assessment by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, much of Iran’s fighter fleet is outdated and largely inoperable.
The Chengdu J-10C, developed by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, is claimed to be equipped with an AESA radar and capable of carrying PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles.
