China's J-10 fighter jet finds new customer; India's Tejas still awaits first buyer

Beijing: China's J-10 fighter jet has found another new customer: Algeria. Reports indicate that Algeria is currently negotiating the purchase of 40 J-10C fighter jets from China. Additionally, it is discussing the acquisition of three KJ-500 AWACS aircraft. Algeria is also the first customer for the Russian Sukhoi Su-57. In contrast, India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is still awaiting its first customer; although India is in talks with several nations regarding the sale of the Tejas, no final agreement has been reached with any of them.

Algeria negotiating the purchase of J-10C?

According to a report by *Defense News Nigeria*, Algeria is negotiating with China to purchase 40 J-10C fighter jets and four KJ-500 AWACS aircraft. An Algerian Air Force team has already visited China to inspect the J-10C fighter jet. Beyond the aircraft themselves, the deal would also cover maintenance and the long-term supply of spare parts. However, neither China nor Algeria has yet issued a public statement regarding the J-10C deal.

Which fighter jets are currently in Algeria's inventory?

Algeria already operates Sukhoi Su-35 multi-role fighters and Su-57 "Felon" fifth-generation stealth fighters. It has also paid Russia $2 billion for 14 Su-57 fighter jets. Algeria's defense budget stands at $25 billion, making it one of the largest in Africa; this figure represents approximately 5 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

What do we know about the J-10C Fighter Jet?

The J-10C is a Chinese 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet. It is operated by both the Chinese Air Force and the Pakistan Air Force.
The J-10C is equipped with an advanced AESA radar capable of simultaneously tracking multiple targets from long range.
The aircraft features 11 hardpoints, allowing for the carriage of weapons such as the PL-15 beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile.
It is powered by the WS-10B turbofan engine, enabling it to reach speeds of up to Mach 2.

India's Tejas Has Not Found a Buyer?

India's Tejas fighter jet has not yet secured a single foreign buyer. The Tejas is India's indigenous light combat aircraft, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force. The Tejas is capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs, and anti-ship weapons. While several countries have shown interest in purchasing the Tejas due to its cost-effectiveness and technical capabilities, no deal has been finalized so far. Potential buyers for the Tejas include countries such as Argentina, Malaysia, Egypt, the Philippines, Brazil, Nigeria, and Congo.