Uzbekistan publicly displayed Chinese-built J-10CE fighter jets during Independence Day celebrations in Tashkent on 28 August, confirming the aircraft’s entry into Uzbek military service. State television footage showed at least six of the export fighters, including aircraft landing at Karshi-Khanabad airbase and receiving a water-cannon salute, in the first official public appearance of the type in the country.
The unveiling ends months of speculation over a procurement that had not been formally acknowledged before the broadcast. The J-10CE is the export version of Chengdu’s J-10C and makes Uzbekistan the second confirmed foreign operator after Pakistan. Coverage linked the aircraft to a broader package that may include as many as 24 jets, along with weapons, training and support, although that scope remains unconfirmed by Uzbek or Chinese authorities.
The appearance of the fighters indicates a shift away from Uzbekistan’s ageing Soviet-era inventory, including MiG-29s and Su-27s, as the country modernises its combat aviation fleet. Details of the contract value, delivery schedule and weapons fit have not been disclosed publicly.