"Iran is actively pursuing the Chinese J-10CE fighter jet," reported Iran on July 1, 2025, that Iran may purchase the J-10CE fighter jet. Iran has already received four unassembled Su-35SE fighters from Russia, but the delivery of the remaining 50 Su-35SE fighters will be delayed by 1-2 years. This delay is prompting Iran to reach an important deal for the J-10C. During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, the Iranian Minister of Defense visited Beijing. Since they have set their eyes on the J-10, Iran would buy more, up to 200, to counter the Israeli Air Force's 200 fighter jets, which can at least hold back, and combined with Iran's air defense missiles. What Iran lacks most is the determination and capability to persist in doing something for 10 or 20 years. The problem with this round of war in Iran is that the Iranian air defense forces did not move positions, did not pay attention to protection, and lacked a multi-layered, diverse detection and early warning system from the airport to the target, which was directly hit by the hangar. This can be compensated by just a few J-10s. Under the current situation, even if the J-35 fighter jet is purchased, it definitely cannot suppress the Israeli Air Force and the US Air Force.
The Iranian authorities think like this, so they spend money on missile forces that can be dispersed and hidden, rather than concentrated fleets in air bases. As a result, the Iranian air defense force was stunned by advanced systems and ground attacks. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's ballistic missile forces immediately started to evacuate under the air raids, and their initiative was still good. The efficiency of Iran's air defense is even worse than that of the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Israel and Iran are somewhat far apart, and Israel has a small territory. If facing Israel, it could use drone swarms and low-cost missiles as the main force to open the way, consuming Israel's air defense and anti-missile systems, and high-precision, hypersonic, and heavy missiles as the focus of attack. If advanced fighters cannot be bought, then strengthen the air defense forces. The Israeli Mossad intelligence team did not destroy all of Iran's air defense systems, only a small part, and other parts were still working normally. The problem is that the electronic interference from Israel and the United States, and repeated missile bombings, are too strong.
This is actually the same problem as the Iraqi Air Force faced. Only with the J-10 fighter jet + long-range air-to-air missiles can we force the Israeli Air Force's electronic warfare aircraft and refueling planes to leave. The air force is the strength of the squid. Israel has the top weapons in the West. The Iranian Air Force lags behind Israel by at least half a century. Iran's development of the air force cannot catch up with Israel. Trying to fight with air-to-air combat is using one's weakness to attack the enemy's strength. Iran can only develop in asymmetric directions. The Iranian Air Force has early warning aircraft plus patrol aircraft for 24-hour patrols, which can withstand the first wave of surprise attacks. Buying fewer is completely useless; at least it needs to be more than the Israeli Air Force. If the Iranian Air Force buys the J-10CE fighter jet and places it in the airport near the Iraq border, it can greatly limit the capabilities of the Israeli Air Force, because F-35I, F-15I, and F-16I fighters have limited time to loiter over Iranian airspace.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836474772767744/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.