Uzbekistan confirms it is becoming the second foreign operator of China’s J-10CE fighter, with reports saying it has received its first deliveries. Earlier speculation had suggested Uzbekistan ordered 24 J-10CE aircraft, though neither Beijing nor Tashkent had publicly finalized the full details of the deal.
Multiple outlets report that at least six J-10CE jets are shown in video footage released by the Uzbek president’s office for the country’s Independence Day celebrations. The aircraft display is used by reporting as evidence that deliveries have begun, even as the precise number and timeline described in earlier reports remain unconfirmed by the countries involved.
The coverage also places the development in a broader regional context. One focus is that Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian states, has historically relied more heavily on Russian military aircraft, and China’s sale of the J-10CE represents a growing role for Chinese defense exports in the region. Another angle notes wider trends in China’s arms export environment, while emphasizing that the J-10CE is marketed as an upgraded multi-role platform for customers seeking more modern capabilities.
