In a major step toward modernising its combat aviation, Uzbekistan has publicly showcased its first batch of six Chinese-built Chengdu J-10CE multirole fighter jets.
This development officially makes Tashkent the second international operator of the aircraft after Pakistan, as the Central Asian nation begins phasing out its deteriorating Soviet-legacy fighter fleet.
The newly inducted aircraft were filmed operating from the strategic Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, commonly referred to as K2. State television broadcast the footage on August 28, 2026, as part of the celebrations leading up to Uzbekistan's 35th Independence Day.
Notably, this public display occurred just one day prior to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to the country.
The televised broadcast featured the Chinese-made jets taxiing on the tarmac, executing formation flights, and being welcomed with a traditional water-cannon salute at the southeastern facility.
The K2 air base holds historical significance, having been utilised by the United States military from 2001 to 2005 for operations in neighbouring Afghanistan before American troops were requested to withdraw.
In conjunction with the broadcast, the Defence Ministry of Uzbekistan issued official video footage of the new jets. In the official communication, the authorities highlighted the J-10CEs as advanced combat platforms dedicated to protecting the nation's sovereign airspace.
This official presentation puts to rest long-standing rumours regarding the procurement. It offers the first definitive visual evidence that the Chinese 4.5-generation fighters have formally entered active service within the Uzbek military.
While neither the Uzbek nor the Chinese government has issued a formal statement detailing the contract's overall value or exact size, independent open-source reports indicate that the agreement could cover a total of 24 fighters.
The estimated $1 billion deal is believed to include the aircraft alongside extensive weaponry, training, and logistical support.
Classified as a highly capable 4.5-generation platform, the J-10CE is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and modern electronic warfare systems.
Its lethal air-to-air payload features the PL-10 missile for close-quarters engagements and the PL-15E radar-guided missile, which provides a formidable beyond-visual-range (BVR) strike capability.
Until this recent acquisition, Uzbekistan's aerial defence heavily depended on ageing Soviet-era platforms, primarily MiG-29s, Su-27s, and Su-25 ground-attack aircraft.
Decades of active duty, combined with increasing difficulties in securing reliable spare parts from Russia, have made the maintenance of these older jets increasingly complex.
It is worth noting that Beijing and Tashkent already share an established military relationship that extends beyond combat aircraft.
As early as 2015, Uzbekistan integrated Chinese surface-to-air missile systems into its military network, including the HQ-9B, FM-90, and KS-1C batteries.
This latest fighter jet purchase strongly signals China's expanding influence in Central Asia, directly challenging Russia's historical dominance in the region's arms market.
Bangladesh Emerges as a Potential Third Customer
The Uzbekistan revelation comes at a critical time, as another South Asian nation is actively pursuing the same Chinese aircraft.Bangladesh is reportedly accelerating its own plans to induct the J-10CE as a central component of its comprehensive air force modernisation programme.
Dhaka is moving closer to finalising a major defence package, which could see the purchase of 20 to 24 J-10CE jets.
Open-source intelligence suggests that the proposed $2.3 billion package for 20 aircraft would equate to approximately $115 million per unit, covering the planes, training, operational infrastructure, and technical support. However, the final terms are still undergoing government negotiations.
Last week, Zahed Ur Rahman, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Bangladesh Prime Minister, confirmed the ongoing inter-ministerial talks.
He noted that if the necessary financial allocation is cleared in the current fiscal year, the procurement will proceed; otherwise, it will be delayed until the subsequent national budget.
Furthermore, officials in Dhaka have cited the Chinese fighter's alleged combat performance during the May 2025 India-Pakistan border conflict as a driving factor for their recent interest.
Should the negotiations in Dhaka reach a successful conclusion, Bangladesh will become the third international military to operate the J-10CE.
This would solidify China's growing footprint in the global aerospace export market, with its advanced fighters actively flying in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and potentially Bangladesh.
