In the wake of a delayed fighter jet deal with Russia and rising regional tensions, Iran is ramping up negotiations with China to acquire Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jets in a bid to urgently modernise its ageing air force. The move reflects Tehran’s strategic pivot towards more affordable and quickly deliverable options as it grapples with the fallout from recent aerial offensives and long-standing military constraints.
🔻 What’s Behind the Shift?
✈️ Russian Su-35 Deal Stalled
Iran had previously signed a deal with Russia for 50 Su-35 fighter jets in 2023. However, only four aircraft have reportedly been delivered so far. Delays, likely worsened by sanctions, logistical bottlenecks, and the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, have prompted Iran to seek alternatives.
🇨🇳 Why the Chinese J-10C?
- The J-10C is a 4.5-generation single-engine fighter jet with advanced avionics, radar, and combat capabilities.
- Cost-effective: It is priced USD 40–60 million lower per unit than the Russian Su-35.
- Rapid availability: Unlike the Su-35, which is built in limited numbers, the J-10C has been mass-produced and is already in service with nations like Pakistan.
- PL-15 missile compatibility: The J-10C supports PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, enhancing Iran’s deterrence capabilities.
💥 Security Tensions Push Urgency
The recent joint Israeli-American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites exposed the inadequacy of Iran’s air defence and fighter response, according to a report in Khorasan. Iran’s air force was unable to react effectively, intensifying pressure on Tehran to rapidly upgrade its aerial capabilities.
📜 Decades-Old Interest Renewed
Iran’s interest in the J-10 dates back to 2005, when talks reportedly began for 150 aircraft. However, payment disagreements (with Iran offering oil and gas instead of foreign currency) and a then-active UN arms embargo derailed the deal. Those barriers have since eased, and talks have reportedly resumed in earnest, with Iran now eyeing 36 J-10C jets.
🌍 Geopolitical Implications
If finalised, this would mark a significant milestone in China–Iran defence cooperation and could tilt regional power balances, especially as Iran’s rivals — including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — continue to modernise their own air forces.
The J-10C acquisition could also bolster Iran’s military-industrial partnerships with China, as both nations seek to counterbalance Western influence in the Middle East and beyond.
✅ In Summary
- Iran is negotiating to buy 36 J-10C jets from China.
- The move follows delays in Russia’s Su-35 deliveries.
- The J-10Cs are cheaper, quicker to deploy, and compatible with advanced Chinese missile systems.
- The recent Israel–US airstrikes have heightened Tehran’s urgency.
- A formal agreement is expected soon, pending resolution on payment terms and transfer logistics.
This acquisition could mark a turning point for Iran’s struggling air force — and a new chapter in Asian defence dynamics.
