China’s AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, the maker of the J-10C fighter aircraft used by Pakistan during last year’s conflict with India, has reported a significant surge in profits, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The company’s revenue increased by 15.8% to 75.4 billion yuan ($11 billion) in 2025, while profit rose by 6.5% to 3.4 billion yuan, marking its highest-ever financial performance. Bloomberg added that Chengdu’s first-quarter sales jumped nearly 80% year-on-year.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) inducted the J-10C aircraft in March 2022, significantly enhancing the country’s air defence capabilities. At the time, officials said the jet could carry advanced fourth-generation air-to-air missiles, including the short-range PL-10 and beyond-visual-range PL-15.
The fighter jet saw its first combat use in May 2025 when India launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan on May 6, following an incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. During the 87-hour conflict, Pakistan reportedly downed seven Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale aircraft, along with dozens of drones.
The four-day conflict saw Pakistan effectively deploy Chinese-made systems, including the HQ-9 air defence system, PL-15 missiles, and J-10C fighter jets, which were credited with downing multiple Indian aircraft. The PAF also used its JF-17 Thunder jets to target India’s S-400 air defence system in Adampur using hypersonic missiles.
The conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.
Months after the war, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry praised the performance of Chinese-made weapons. He stated that the systems had performed “exceptionally well,” according to reports citing Bloomberg.
“Of course, lately, recent Chinese platforms, they’ve demonstrated exceptionally well,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said in an interview in October last year.
In November last year, a report presented to the United States Congress acknowledged Pakistan’s “military success over India” during the conflict.
The report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which evaluates US-China security and foreign affairs, stated that Pakistan utilised advanced Chinese weaponry to strengthen its military edge over India.