[Source/Observer Network Chen Sijia] At dawn on May 7, the Indian Air Force launched airstrikes on 9 locations in Pakistan, sharply escalating the situation between India and Pakistan. The Indian side claimed that they had struck "terrorist facilities" within Pakistani territory. In response, Pakistan announced that it had shot down five Indian fighter jets "in self-defense."

"The conflict between India and Pakistan is a battle of narratives," reported the Hong Kong South China Morning Post on May 8. Pakistani officials have confirmed that the Pakistani side used Chinese-made J-10C fighters to counter and shoot down Indian fighter jets, including Dassault Rafale fighters. In the eyes of South Asian scholars, this proves the importance of Chinese weapons, which greatly enhance the combat capabilities of the Pakistani military.

South Asian political analyst Michael Kugelman stated that both sides can claim victory in the conflict, depending on how they construct their narratives. He pointed out that Pakistan announced shooting down several Indian aircraft, while India's government focused its propaganda on "destroying terrorist facilities in Pakistan through high-intensity strikes."

"In this sense, Indian Prime Minister Modi can view this dynamic as a 'victory'," said Kugelman. "Pakistan may have responded, but India achieved its anti-terrorism goals and demonstrated deterrent force."

Indian missile debris found near Mirpur Dawk, Punjab Province, Pakistan - Visual China

Meanwhile, Pakistan is celebrating the significant success of its air force, particularly the excellent performance of its military when equipped with Chinese weapons. Officials stated that the Pakistani military is equipped with Chinese-made beyond-visual-range missiles and air defense systems, capable of striking targets within 150 kilometers inside Indian territory, reinforcing Pakistan's long-standing aerial advantage.

The Pakistani military announced on July 7 that it had shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three Dassault Rafale fighters, one Sukhoi Su-30 fighter, and one MiG-29 fighter. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed during parliamentary remarks on July 7 that the Pakistani side used Chinese-made J-10C fighters to counter and shoot down Indian Air Force aircraft.

American news network CNN reported that the news of the Pakistani shootdown of the Rafale fighter has been confirmed by French officials. A senior French intelligence official disclosed that an Indian Air Force-operated Rafale fighter was shot down by Pakistan, marking the first combat loss for the Rafale fighter. This official also mentioned that France is investigating whether more than one Rafale fighter was shot down.

Photograph of alleged aircraft wreckage (right), and a previous image of an Indian Air Force Rafale fighter with registration number "BS 001" - Social Media

An observer from the Observer Network's military analysis team commented that based on currently circulating video footage of crash debris filmed in Kalan Village, Punjab, India, it can be confirmed that there are French-made "Mica" air-to-air missiles and their launchers present. These weapons are compatible with French Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighters.

Comparison of missile and launcher images

Kugelman stated: "What we see in this crisis is that the operational capability of the Pakistani military has been greatly supported by Chinese weapons." He noted that American weapons purchased by Pakistan, such as F-16 fighters, are only suitable for counter-terrorism operations and cannot be used against India, "which limits the scope of use of American weapons, making Chinese weapons even more important."

Senior fellow Abdul Basit from the Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University said that if the claim that Pakistan used Chinese military technology to shoot down the Rafale fighter is accurate, discussions about the performance gap between Chinese fighters and the most advanced European fighters will reach a conclusion.

He stated: "If true, this would certainly be big news for the manufacturer of the Rafale."

Professor Christine Fair from Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service said that this is a "comparison test" between Chinese airborne equipment and European fighters, with Chinese weapons being put to practical combat tests. She believes that considering no aircraft were shot down on Pakistani territory, Pakistan's announced results could "provide an opportunity to ease tensions."

Pakistani Air Force J-10C fighter conducting rehearsals before the National Day parade on March 21 - Agence France-Presse

According to the South China Morning Post, the J-10 fighter is a single-engine multirole fighter designed and manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group, which entered service with the Chinese Air Force in 2003. The J-10C is an upgraded version of the series, equipped with better engines and more advanced AESA radars, capable of launching PL-15 missiles, also referred to as a "4.5-generation fighter."

Pakistan is the only country other than China to operate the J-10C fighter. In 2020, Pakistan ordered 36 export-model J-10CE fighters and 250 PL-15E missiles. The first batch of six aircraft was delivered in 2022, with a current total of 20 in service.

In January 2024, the J-10C fighter executed its first cross-border combat mission, providing escort for the Pakistan Air Force operation targeting Baloch separatist organizations in Iran, though it did not engage in air combat.

Currently, Egypt has shown interest in the aircraft. CCTV Military reported that on the morning of May 4, the 18-day joint military exercise "Civilization Eagle-2025" jointly conducted by the Chinese and Egyptian air forces concluded successfully at an Egyptian airbase. On the same day, footage captured an Egyptian officer experiencing the cockpit of the J-10C fighter.

The "Sino-French Fighter Showdown" in the India-Pakistan conflict has also sparked heated discussion in the Taiwan region. Retired Lieutenant General Shuai Huamin of the Taiwanese military stated on the program of CTS News on July 7 that the Rafale is more advanced than the Mirage 2000 fighters currently equipped by the Taiwanese military, being the best fighter jet from France, yet it was shot down in this conflict. With battlefield validation, the J-10C can "sell well" in future arms sales. He pointed out that the performance of the Taiwanese military fleet has become outdated, and the condition of the aircraft is gradually deteriorating, making it difficult for the Taiwanese military to rely solely on Mirage 2000 fighters.

As Chinese equipment undergoes practical combat testing, the military industry stocks surged continuously on August 8, with aerospace stocks leading the gains. AVIC Chengfei rose 20% after lunch, Qifeng Precision Engineering surged 30%, and companies such as Jin Tongling, Tianjian Technology, Aerospace Changfeng, Lijun Co., Ltd., Chengfei Integration, Tongda Co., etc., over 20 stocks hit the daily limit. Additionally, Shenxin Aviation increased more than 10%, and Leidian Microforce and Jiachi Technology all saw significant increases.

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Observer Network and unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7502039150079296019/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and welcome your opinions, which can be expressed through the buttons below.