Made in China? Oh yes

For decades, ‘Made in China’ has been the punchline of jokes, a shorthand for anything cheap, disposable or low on quality. Whether it’s a phone charger that gives out in a week or plastic toys that break by evening, we’ve all had our moments of scepticism.

But what happens when that same label is stamped on a high-speed, combat-ready fighter jet that just gave a world-class aircraft a serious run for its money?

In a twist that few saw coming, the Pakistan Air Force’s Chinese-built J-10C – a recent addition to its fleet – proved itself more than just an affordable alternative. It stood its ground against India’s much-celebrated Rafale jets from France, not just in cost but in capability, agility, and effectiveness. And yes, in recent border skirmishes, PAF’s J-10C jets, armed with Chinese PL-15E missiles and home-grown confidence, reportedly managed to down enemy Rafales – a moment that had defence analysts from New Delhi to Washington doing double takes.

Let’s rewind for a second. The Rafale is no ordinary machine. It’s a multi-role, twin-engine beast of European engineering – the kind of jet nations buy when they want to make a statement. India’s 2016 deal for 36 Rafale jets was worth approximately $8.7 billion, translating to around $240 million per jet when factoring in training, weapons, and support. On the other hand, the J-10C, considered the backbone of China’s air superiority fleet, is priced at roughly $30–40 million per unit. Who knew ‘affordable’ could also mean ‘ace in the sky’?

The J-10C, manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, is equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, thrust-vectoring engines, and advanced electronic warfare systems. It is no longer just a cheaper cousin of Western fighters but a fierce contender in its own right.

But this isn’t just about jets. It’s about the changing perception of Chinese technology, especially in defence. For years, critics dismissed Chinese gear as ‘copycat engineering’. But real-world results are shifting that. According to SIPRI, China exported over $17.3 billion worth of arms between 2018 and 2022, making it the world’s fourth largest arms exporter. And Pakistan, with over 100 JF-17s and now a growing fleet of J-10Cs, is one of its closest strategic partners.

And here’s where the irony gets thick: the same people who scoff at a Chinese jet are often using Chinese tech every single day. Their smartphones? Assembled in Shenzhen. Their laptops? Components made in Guangzhou. Their cars, their appliances, their solar panels? All touched by Chinese supply chains. And yet, somehow, we draw the line at fighter jets – until now.

The J-10C doesn’t just represent a technical milestone. It marks a shift in the military-industrial balance of power. It gives Pakistan strategic leverage, autonomy, and pride. And perhaps just as importantly, it forces the world – including India – to reconsider the idea that high price always equals high performance.

So next time someone laughs off a product because it’s ‘Made in China’, remind them that those same factories just helped build a fighter jet that not only challenged but possibly outgunned one of the most expensive warplanes in South Asia. And to the doubters, we say: it’s not the label on the machine, it’s the skill in the cockpit – and PAF pilots have proven, once again, that they’re no joke.

The writer is a consultant at various large companies, and teaches financial markets in Pakistan. He can be reached at: hissan3@gmail.com