The Paris Air Show was meant to be the showcase for the French Rafales to the world. For decades, French fighter jets, from the Mirage to the Rafales have been the star of the show. This time, the Rafales would have to move aside for the first Chinese export version fighter jet, the J10 C.
The J10 C is now dubbed as the Rafale Killer after its success in the India Pakistan War, knocking down not one but three in one go, and later another one to make it 4 kills. In addition, the J10 C also shot down a SU 30 and a MiG 29 for dessert. The world is in shock. How could this be? Some western analysts were in praise of the feat, but some are asking for more proof, more confirmation. How many more proof and confirmation is needed to confirm that this is not fluke? How many occasions are there, how many wars are there, to shoot down 5 aircraft in an air battle and 3 Rafales in a row? Not good enough?
On the other hand, how many enemy aircraft have the Rafales shot down to be acknowledged as Europe's best fighter jet? Bombing herdsmen in Afghanistan and tribesmen in Africa is nothing to crow about. What about the F22? Oh, its greatest feat was to shoot down an air balloon in close range, with 3 missiles. And that is the self proclaimed world best fighter jet until the Americans quietly gave up on this aircraft, stopping production altogether with fake excuses of cost.
The F35 is ranked 7, several notches below the Rafales at number 3. Thus, the F35 is not going to be a match for the J10 C.
It was reported that the J10 C stall was located at a different level and in a corner in this Paris Air Show. The main showroom on the ground floor would be filled by the Rafales and American aircraft. Europe only has a couple of antiques other than the Rafales to exhibit. Given the western biased reports and narratives, China thinks rightly that there is no need to pay too much for a prominent stall in the main floor. A small stall in a corner on another floor would do. The decision was made before this India Pakistan spectacle.
China would not only show off the J10 C, but also the new star, the FL15 air to air missiles that brought down the Rafales. This little China stall on the second floor, away from the main showroom, is going to be the star attraction of the Paris Air Show. This is where the crowds would be heading. This is where the serious buyers of fighter jets and air weapon systems would be seen. This stall would steal the visitors from the main showroom. There will be long queues to see the J10 C, the FL15, the ZDK 03 AWAC and other Chinese weapons.
It would be interesting if China were to put up a big banner, Rafale Killer, over its stall.
1 comment:
China's J10 C and the Rafales are the first two modern fighter jets that have seen real combat between compatible opponents. And the J10 C came out victorious. All the American fighter jets did not have such level of combat experience but are rated as world best based on paper specs.
The J10 C should now be rated as the top rank fighter jet based on real combat experience.
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