As of June 2024, China’s Chengdu J-10 fighter jet has established a notable presence in the global export market, with Pakistan being the principal confirmed foreign buyer.

Pakistan has procured at least 25 to 36 units of the J-10CE, which is the export variant of the advanced J-10C model.

These jets have been actively integrated into the Pakistan Air Force, with reports indicating their participation in formation flying during significant national events, reflecting operational satisfaction and confidence in the platform

[a834da70-5664-4631-bba7-dba8ef82cd52_942464069; ca5d5316-4583-45b6-a00a-47c9c47c6d2f_739925080].

Turkey has also been strongly linked with potential acquisition plans for the J-10C to replace its aging F-16 fleet.

Turkish officials reportedly consider the Chinese J-10 as a competitive alternative, offering modern avionics, radar, and weapon compatibility that places it as a viable counterpart to the US-made F-16 jets.

Although no finalized deal is evident, the discussions highlight the increasing appeal of the J-10 in the international market, especially among countries seeking fourth-generation fighter alternatives at competitive costs without dependence on Western restrictions .

From the buyers’ perspective, the J-10C series benefits from ongoing modernization, notably the integration of China’s indigenous WS-10B turbofan engine with thrust vectoring capabilities, replacing earlier Russian engine dependencies, which enhances the jet’s maneuverability and operational autonomy.

Advanced avionics such as active phased array radar enable simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets, marking a significant leap in the J-10’s combat capabilities.

Its multi-role flexibility includes air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a substantial weapon payload capacity and improved cockpit visibility via a water-drop canopy design .

Military analysts view the J-10 as a continuous evolution from its original 1980s design.

As of June 2024, China’s Chengdu J-10 fighter jet has established a notable presence in the global export market, with Pakistan being the principal confirmed foreign buyer.

Title:

Content: According to Turkish media reports, after the delay in delivery, Pakistan has decided to cancel its 2018 purchase of 30 T129 attack helicopters from Turkey, and switch to the purchase of Chinese-made Z-10ME armed helicopters, which can be said to be the dividends derived from Pakistan's purchase of Chinese-made J-10 fighters.
"Global Network" quoted the local media "Defense Industry News" reported that the decision to cancel the purchase of Turkish attack helicopters was the head of the Public Relations Department of the Pakistan Armed Forces Babar.
Major General Iftihar announced it at a press conference.
He said Pakistan was "determined to move forward" and confirmed that talks were under way with China on the purchase of the Z-10ME armed helicopters and that the Turkish deal had been abandoned.
The report pointed out that Pakistan and China in 2014 and the procurement of the direct -10 negotiations.
However, in 2018, Turkey ordered 30 T129 attack helicopters worth $1.5 billion from Turkey. Since the LHTEC-T800 engine for the helicopter is made in the United States, it must first obtain the US export license, but the United States has not responded, so Turkey has been unable to execute the order.
Turkey and the United States have been engaged in lengthy negotiations on the implementation of the contract, trying to obtain an export license for the engine.
Now, according to Pakistan, this process, which has been going on for many years, is over.
In an earlier statement, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Karin said, "The United States has prevented us from providing combat helicopters to Pakistan."
This could lead to the transfer of tenders to China, and the loser would be the United States. ”
According to earlier reports, in sharp contrast to Pakistan ’ s lack of a U.S. export license for its order, Turkey ’ s contract to sell the same attack helicopter to the Philippines was approved by the U.S. government.
Pakistan ’ s military plans to replace 48 old American-made AH-1F attack helicopters with new armed helicopters.
Previously, Pakistan had reached an agreement with the United States to purchase 12 new AH-1Z attack helicopters, but due to the problems of the United States, the agreement could not be implemented.
According to public information, the Chinese-made Z-10ME is an advanced attack helicopter that debuted in 2018, and it is derived from the Z-10 upgrade, including: equipped with active and passive confrontation equipment, replaced with more powerful engines up to 1200 kW, new engine exhaust vents to reduce infrared features, and attached deck to provide defense capabilities.
The report pointed out that the Z-10ME has all-weather combat capabilities, with air-to-air missiles, rockets, artillery and other airborne weapons, which can effectively attack enemy ground fortifications, armored and non-armored moving targets, and aerial targets such as helicopters.
It is understood that Pakistan has purchased at least 25 J-10CE fighters from China, and the country's interior minister recently announced that these fighters will fly over the observation deck in formation at the celebration of Pakistan's Independence Day in March.
This batch of fighters is also the first export of the J-10 series, which is of great significance to the international market prospects of China's defense industry.
Source: Turkish media: Pakistan cancels Turkish order to buy China direct -10ME, the loser will be the United States
# Armed Helicopter # Wu Zhi - 10ME # Turkey # Pakistan # China

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

Pakistan has procured at least 25 to 36 units of the J-10CE, which is the export variant of the advanced J-10C model.

Title:

Content: Chinese Army J-10 Crossing the Strait Central Line Ministry of Defense: Strict Monitoring of Missiles
Reporters Lu Chiung-chang / reporting from Taipei
The Ministry of Defense said that since 0600 hours yesterday (8) to 0600 hours, six sorties (including one over the middle line of the strait) and three ships have been detected, and activities around the Taiwan Strait have continued.
The military uses mission aircraft, ships and shore missile systems to closely monitor and respond.
This is an advertisement, please continue reading.
According to the plan released by the Ministry of Defense, the Chinese People's Liberation Army entered the airspace around the Taiwan Strait, and one of the PLA's J-10 fighters crossed the northern end of the Strait Central Line and immediately turned back.
In the 1980s, Israel Aerospace (IAI) developed the Lavi based on the F-16, but production was canceled due to opposition from the United States.
Since then, Chengdu Aircraft Company has cooperated with Lion to develop new fighters. Although Israel and China ended cooperation after 1989, Chengdu Aircraft Company continued to develop and develop the J-10A in 1998, and completed the test flight of the J-10A, and completed mass production two years later.
The J-10A adopts a single engine, a single vertical tail, and a single wing pneumatic configuration in the dual delta wing, which is characterized by excellent high altitude and high speed performance, and the front delta wing can improve the maneuverability of medium and low altitude, which can effectively shorten the take-off and landing distance.
J-10 fighter after service with Su-27SK, Su-30MKK, J-11 and other fighters formed a high and low match. Although the price of the J-10A is only half that of the F-16, but due to poor reliability, the supporting domestic engine development into a bottleneck, resulting in poor export performance.
After the production of the J-10A, Chengdu Aircraft Company started a performance improvement and improvement program in 2004, and the J-10B was successfully tested in December 2008. The J-10B abandoned the rectangular intake channel design and switched to a Rampless integrated intake channel similar to the FC-1, and continued to improve the launch of the J-10C. 2017 In June, the J-10C participated in the 90th anniversary parade of the People's Liberation Army, making its first public appearance, and the J-10C was replaced with an active phased array radar.
The Pakistan Air Force is the only foreign procurement unit of the J-10, ordering 36 J-10CE fighters, and J-10CE is the export model of the J-10C.
This is an advertisement, please continue reading.

How many J-10 Fighters has Pakistan imported from China?

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

These jets have been actively integrated into the Pakistan Air Force, with reports indicating their participation in formation flying during significant national events, reflecting operational satisfaction and confidence in the platform

Title:

Content: What's new

India’s AMCA ‘Stealth Fighters’ Enter Production Stage, How Does It Jet Stack-Up Against China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon?

beijingwalker

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India’s AMCA ‘Stealth Fighters’ Enter Production Stage, How Does It Jet Stack-Up Against China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon?

BySakshi Tiwari

March 21, 2022

The fifth-generation J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ is a prized possession of the Chinese PLA Air Force. With India’s prototype of AMCA going into production, will the Chinese stealth fighters have a potential challenger right across the border?

The Chengdu J-20 is a single-seat, multi-role stealth fighter that serves as a symbol of China’s growing air power as the plane has been featured prominently in military parades and air shows across the country.

Last year, the J-20 reportedly entered mass production after replacing the Russian AL-31F Turbofan engine with a domestically built WS-10. According to Chinese plans, the current WS-10C engine is further to be replaced by the latest and more advanced WS-15.

Chinese jets have traditionally been powered by Russian-made engines. China has long sought to develop its own engine and gain maximum flexibility, freeing itself from the constraints imposed by Russian engines. The successful integration of WS-15 on J-20s could be the next big breakthrough in self-sufficiency for China.

China’s next-generation turbofan engine, the WS-15, which is to dramatically boost the performance of the J-20 stealth fighter jet, has completed rigorous testing.

The WS-15 engine has undergone several tests, according to China Central Television (CCTV), after the WS-10, China’s first independently developed high performance, high thrust turbofan engine with afterburner, was installed on fighter jets such as the J-10, J-11, and J-20 since 2016.

The WS-15 has a low bypass ratio and is capable of thrust vector control, according to CCTV. It was developed for fifth-generation heavy and medium fighter jets. The J-20s were supposed to be integrated with the WS-15, but due to test failures, China decided to stick to the WS-10C.

The Chinese military now has a fleet of roughly 50 J-20s. New J-20s will be equipped with the WS-15 engine, said a report of South China Morning Post.

China has been relentlessly working to close the gap with the US Air Force and the upgrades that it is carrying out to the WS-10 engines are aimed at challenging the F-22 Raptors of the US.

This year, China will begin upgrading the J-20 engines by incorporating thrust vectoring technology to get it closer to the performance of the American F-22 Raptor, as previously reported by EurAsian Times.

File Image: J-20
The J-20 has also often been compared with another fifth-generation fighter Aircraft in the US arsenal, the F-35. China is reportedly on track to increase the production of its J-20 aircraft. This was perhaps in response to the American plan to field more than 2,000 F-35 stealth jets across its three armed services, besides Japan’s multibillion-dollar F-35 acquisition.

China had dispatched J-20s to air bases in Xinjiang following a bloody encounter with Indian forces at Galwan in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

India’s AMCA Warplane

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently announced the proverbial “metal cutting” for the first prototype of the country’s next-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

The maiden flight of the AMCA is scheduled for 2024-25, with serial production beginning in 2030, EurAsian Times had reported.

According to reports, the Indian Air Force has committed to 40 AMCA Mk-1 fighters, as well as at least 100 Mk-2 variants and some unmanned aircraft. Like the Chinese J-20, the stealthy AMCA is also going to have ‘super cruise’ capabilities.

With AMCA, India will enter the exclusive club of countries with fifth-generation stealth warplanes. So far, the US (F-35 and F-22 Raptors), Russia (Su-57), and China (J-20) have built such fighters.

An AMCA model displayed during Aero India 2021 (Wikimedia Commons)
Although it is unknown how the AMCA, which is yet to be manufactured, will exactly compete with the Chinese J-20,

According to Aeronautical Development Agency chief Girish Deodhare, the AMCA will be available in stealth and non-stealth variants and will be produced in two stages: an AMCA MK1 with an existing GE414 afterburning turbofan engine that powers the LCA Tejas, and an AMCA Mk2 with a new, more powerful engine that will be developed in collaboration with a foreign player.

India and France are now reportedly close to reaching an agreement for the joint development of a 125KN engine that will power AMCA. The deal is expected to be signed in the near future.

Some experts have speculated that the Indian Air Force would model its futuristic aircraft AMCA on the American F-35. If true, this could ensure greater interoperability between the Indian and US Air Forces and could come as a massive headache for the PLAAF.

AMCA will be a single-seat all-weather swing-role stealth fighter jet with twin turbofan engines. It will be capable of a wide range of operations, including air superiority, ground strikes, enemy air defense suppression, and electronic warfare. China is reportedly working on a two-seat variant of the J-20.

AMCA is designed for super-cruise capability and a reduced radar cross-section. Both these features that the AMCA strives to include are already present in the J-20 Mighty Dragon. Further, J-20 took its first flight a decade ago and was inducted in 2017 whereas the AMCA is yet to see the light of the day.

The 20-ton AMCA fighter would be able to carry one-and-a-half tons of armament in internal weapon bays in its stealth mode. The non-stealth variant would carry weapons, targeting and observation pods, as well as fuel tanks on external pylons under the wings and fuselage.

Further, like the indigenous LCA Tejas that wields Python missiles, Astra BVRAAM, Vympel R-77, and R-73 air-to-air missiles, the Kh-59ME TV guided stand-off missile and the Kh-59MK laser-guided stand-off missiles, the AMCA could be integrated with similar weapons. Just as India sought HAMMER missiles for LCA, advanced missiles could also be imported for the AMCA.

Indian media reported that the AMCA could be equipped with Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) just as China’s J-20 is believed to get the DEWs, as previously revealed by a Global Times report.

The AMCA’s avionics suite will comprise modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities with “sixth-generation characteristics.” The plane will have a very low radar cross-section for better stealth, as well as AI-based technologies and an upgraded cockpit display with a touch screen interface.

All these specifications are expected to put the aircraft on par with the J-20. According to reports, the AMCA will also incorporate thrust-vectoring engines. The J-20 is on course to upgrade its WS-10 engines with thrust vectoring technology while the WS-15 already possesses this technology aimed at achieving better maneuverability.

Both the Chinese J-20 and Indian AMCA have air superiority as their primary objectives. While the Chinese Air Force developed its fifth-generation fighter years ago, the addition of a similar aircraft to IAF’s arsenal could create a balance of power between the two adversaries that are locked in a prolonged border standoff.

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Its a long long way from production stage. Some bits are being assembled but that does not mean its entered production.
It will be some years before it flies

baqai

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i don't understand how can they jump from one project to another without finishing the first one?

i mean LCA is still not finished, the aircraft has not been inducted in the Airforce, not seen any combat, not seen any real life flying yet it is up for sale.

Reminds me of our politicians ... project hu na hu inauguration karwa du apnay naam ki

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i don't understand how can they jump from one project to another without finishing the first one?

i mean LCA is still not finished, the aircraft has not been inducted in the Airforce, not seen any combat, not seen any real life flying yet it is up for sale.

Reminds me of our politicians ... project hu na hu inauguration karwa du apnay naam ki

Have you thought of the possibility that they have different teams for different projects?

Moreover, for the AMCA and the multi-role helicopter projects, the majority of the ownership is expected to be owned by a consortium of private sector companies with HAL being the minority stake holder. There is a huge difference in the working cultures of private and public sector companies in India.

Indos

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Its a long long way from production stage. Some bits are being assembled but that does not mean its entered production.
It will be some years before it flies

Yup, that is just a tiny part production, similar like KF21/IFX program there are some parts being produced in early 2019 despite detail design completion was in September 2019 ( for single seat variant), KF 21 roll out is in 2021 April.

So if we compare AMCA with KF21/IFX program, so AMCA prototype roll out will likely be in 2024 and test flight is in 2025 with assumption the development goes smoothly from now until the flight test.

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Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

[a834da70-5664-4631-bba7-dba8ef82cd52_942464069; ca5d5316-4583-45b6-a00a-47c9c47c6d2f_739925080].

Title:

Content: The American F-16...
Information on the Chinese J-10C fighter
© AFP 2023 / KARIM SAHIBChinese J-10 fighter
Follow us via
The Chinese J-10 is touted as the best alternative to the US fourth-generation F-16, which has led some countries to consider acquiring it.
China has produced about 350 such aircraft since they entered service in 2005, according to Military Factory.
The aircraft has a single crew and is used by China and Pakistan and is designed for aerial combat missions with a variety of weapons.
Turkey to replace F-16 with Chinese fighter jet
Photos & Videos
What are the technical specifications of the J-10?
Length: 15.5 meters.
Distance between wings: 9.7 meters.
Height: 4.7 meters.
Weight of empty aircraft: 9.7 tons.
The total weight of the aircraft is 18.5 tons.
Speed: 2,336 km / h.
Altitude: 20,000 meters.
Range: 1800 kilometers.
What is the arming of the J-10?
The Chinese J-10 has six under-wing and five under-hull external suspension points that allow it to carry a large external payload of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, laser-guided bombs and other types of conventional bombs, as well as a 23 mm internal machine gun.
There are several versions of the aircraft, some with one seat and others with two seats for training tasks, including:
The J-10A is a single-seat multirole fighter.
J-10B: Marine version with twin-engine engines.
J-10C: An upgraded version of the B version with an electronic radar and infrared guidance system for missiles.
© AFP 2023 / WANG ZHAO Chinese J-10 fighter
The Chinese J-10 fighter.
The J-10C is an upgraded export version, which Turkey may acquire as a replacement for the U.S. F-16 fighter jets.
Earlier, a Turkish presidential official said Ankara was expected to abandon the U.S. F-16 fighter jets due to the availability of a better alternative in the Chinese J-10 signal.
© SputnikWhat are the capabilities of the Chinese J-16 fighter?
What are the capabilities of the Chinese J-16 fighter?
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Turkey has also been strongly linked with potential acquisition plans for the J-10C to replace its aging F-16 fleet.

Which country may purchase China's J-10 Fighter as an alternative to the U.S. F-16 Fighters?

Turkish officials reportedly consider the Chinese J-10 as a competitive alternative, offering modern avionics, radar, and weapon compatibility that places it as a viable counterpart to the US-made F-16 jets.

Which country may purchase China's J-10 Fighter as an alternative to the U.S. F-16 Fighters?

Although no finalized deal is evident, the discussions highlight the increasing appeal of the J-10 in the international market, especially among countries seeking fourth-generation fighter alternatives at competitive costs without dependence on Western restrictions .

What has China said about its J-10C Fighter?

It is the most competitive fighter jet in the international arms market in recent years.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

J-10 series are a fourth-generation fighters.

From the buyers’ perspective, the J-10C series benefits from ongoing modernization, notably the integration of China’s indigenous WS-10B turbofan engine with thrust vectoring capabilities, replacing earlier Russian engine dependencies, which enhances the jet’s maneuverability and operational autonomy.

Title:

Content: If the J-20 is China ’ s top and most popular fighter, then the J-10C should be given the most expectations, because the CCP believes it is a more competitive fighter in the international arms market in recent years. Although the J-10 was designed in the 1980s, after many improvements and upgrades, it has spawned at least 11 models, and its export model, the J-10C, has gradually opened up the international market. There was a lot of praise in the beginning.
Foreign military analysts believe that after continuous upgrading, the J-10 fighter will be able to use by the 2040s, becoming the United States F-15's most powerful competitor.
The initial design was a 3rd generation fighter architecture, but the constantly upgraded J-10 series has been included in the 4th generation fighter by many experts, it has more than 11 mounting points under the fuselage and wing, and can carry an astonishing number of weapons, including laser-guided missiles, GPS-guided and glide bombs, as well as general air-to-air and ground attack ammunition.
The J-10 was designed by Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611) and manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Company. It was designed in the 1990s, when the PLA developed its own fighter aircraft with a program called the "Destroying Project Plan". It was the No. 10 project, hence the name J-10.
The original concept was to extensively use the technology of the 1980s US F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft and new fighter manufacturing concepts. The chief designer was Song Wenchong, which first flew in 1998 and entered service in 2003.
With a range of 2,500 kilometers and a payload of 1.9 tons, the J-10 has appeared in at least 11 types of aircraft after years of modification on this basis, making it the largest number of derivative aircraft in China.
According to the British Institute for International Strategic Studies (IISS) estimates, the Chinese air force currently has at least 540 J-10s, which can be assembled on a large scale to deal with super large battles.
The "Global Defense" website has carefully analyzed the latest J-10 upgrade to a phased array radar, which can control multiple modes of fire control radar and track 10 targets at the same time. If it is a semi-active radar, it can attack 2 targets at the same time, and if it is an active radar, it can attack 4 targets at the same time.
Analysis pointed out that the ability to track and attack multiple targets at the same time is very important for modern aircraft, and this ability can also be matched to the AN / APG-63 (V1) radar on the F-15.
Later, Boeing again updated the active phased array radar version of the F-15, allowing the F-15 to follow 14 targets simultaneously and attack six of them simultaneously.
This upgrade is said to maintain a nominal advantage over the J-10 fighter that has replaced the active phased array radar.
The upgrade of the J-10 is also the most noteworthy, including the replacement of its domestic engine WS-10B, and the 2018 Zhuhai Air Show was also the first time that the J-10B was equipped with a thrust vector jet engine for a difficult flight performance, which won the attention of many international media and heated discussion on the Internet.
Since then, the WS-10 engine has gradually replaced the Russian AL-31 engine, and some of the J-20 fighters have been switched to the WS-10.
In addition, military experts also noted that the new version of the J-10 also uses a water drop type cockpit cover, allowing the pilot to have a wider and nearly 360-degree all-round view.
Analysts believe that after the radar, fire control, avionics, cockpit covers and engines have been upgraded, the J-10 has the ability to fly into the 2040s, and in recent years began to complete transactions in the international market, proving that nearly 20 years of continuous upgrading and improvement has achieved considerable results, and will also become a very strong international competitor for the United States F-15 fighter.
However, to compare the F-15 with the J-10, some people may think that it is not fair.
Because the F-15 architecture was determined in the late 1960s, it first flew in the early 1970s; in contrast, the J-10 was determined in the early 1980s, and it first flew in the late 1990s.
The theoretical basis of the original design is more than 10 years apart, and the final design is more than 20 years apart.
From the design background difference analysis, the F-15 is a high thrust ratio, low wing load, low resistance high-speed air superiority fighter designed by the US military according to the experience of the Vietnam War and the failure of the F-4 Phantom fighter. Air and ground attack aircraft.
Therefore, some analysts believe that if we want to compare, J-10 may be more suitable to take the F-16 as the target.
Coupled with the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait in recent years, there are more and more people are more concerned about the comparison of the J-10 and Taiwan's main air force fighter F-16.
Source: Headlines Revealed on Facebook.com
# J-10 # fighter # J-20 # F-15 # Chengdu Aircraft Company

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

Advanced avionics such as active phased array radar enable simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets, marking a significant leap in the J-10’s combat capabilities.

How is J-10C Fighter compared with JF-17, another jet fighter that China exports?

J-10 can be outfitted with a bigger active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

Its multi-role flexibility includes air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a substantial weapon payload capacity and improved cockpit visibility via a water-drop canopy design .

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

What may some improvements made in China's J-10 Fighter help Pakistan Airforce?

Enable Pakistan Air Force to carry more missiles to perform combat missions

Military analysts view the J-10 as a continuous evolution from its original 1980s design.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.


As of June 2024, China’s Chengdu J-10 fighter jet has established a notable presence in the global export market, with Pakistan being the principal confirmed foreign buyer.

Pakistan has procured at least 25 to 36 units of the J-10CE, which is the export variant of the advanced J-10C model.

These jets have been actively integrated into the Pakistan Air Force, with reports indicating their participation in formation flying during significant national events, reflecting operational satisfaction and confidence in the platform

[a834da70-5664-4631-bba7-dba8ef82cd52_942464069; ca5d5316-4583-45b6-a00a-47c9c47c6d2f_739925080].

Turkey has also been strongly linked with potential acquisition plans for the J-10C to replace its aging F-16 fleet.

Turkish officials reportedly consider the Chinese J-10 as a competitive alternative, offering modern avionics, radar, and weapon compatibility that places it as a viable counterpart to the US-made F-16 jets.

Although no finalized deal is evident, the discussions highlight the increasing appeal of the J-10 in the international market, especially among countries seeking fourth-generation fighter alternatives at competitive costs without dependence on Western restrictions .

From the buyers’ perspective, the J-10C series benefits from ongoing modernization, notably the integration of China’s indigenous WS-10B turbofan engine with thrust vectoring capabilities, replacing earlier Russian engine dependencies, which enhances the jet’s maneuverability and operational autonomy.

Advanced avionics such as active phased array radar enable simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets, marking a significant leap in the J-10’s combat capabilities.

Its multi-role flexibility includes air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a substantial weapon payload capacity and improved cockpit visibility via a water-drop canopy design .

Military analysts view the J-10 as a continuous evolution from its original 1980s design.

Despite its mid-generation origins, with upgrades it is considered a robust 4th generation fighter expected to remain operational through the 2040s.

Its combination of advanced radar, avionics, weaponry, and cost-effectiveness positions the J-10 as a strong competitor for Western aircraft like the F-15 and F-16 in multiple international markets.

Some experts argue the J-10 aligns more closely with the F-16’s performance profile but offers significant improvements, making it attractive for countries with tight defense budgets or political constraints on Western arms.

Importantly, Pakistan’s adoption and operational use reflect positive feedback and contribute to the jet’s export credentials .

In defense media and expert commentary, the J-10 is often cited as a symbol of China’s maturing aerospace industry, combining affordability, technological sophistication, and operational flexibility.

Its upgrades, including indigenous engine development and advanced electronic warfare suites, receive attention as China seeks to expand its footprint in the international arms market.

The reports also note that political factors and export restrictions faced by traditional suppliers like the US have opened avenues for the J-10’s growth in export markets, exemplified by Pakistan’s commitment and Turkey’s expressions of interest.

However, detailed evaluations from buyers beyond Pakistan remain sparse, and formal confirmed export contracts remain limited.

Overall, the export market for China’s J-10 fighter jets currently centers on Pakistan as the sole confirmed buyer with operational deployment, while countries like Turkey represent potential future customers attracted by the jet's competitive capabilities and affordability.

Buyer feedback, primarily from Pakistan, is generally positive, emphasizing the jet’s modern avionics, engine upgrades, and multi-role versatility.

Expert analysis recognizes the J-10’s steady technological advancement making it a credible contender in the global market against Western fourth-generation fighters.

Political dynamics in international arms sales continue to influence demand for the J-10.

More comprehensive buyer reviews and confirmed sales data beyond Pakistan would be needed for a fuller export market assessment

[a834da70-5664-4631-bba7-dba8ef82cd52_942464069; ca5d5316-4583-45b6-a00a-47c9c47c6d2f_739925080; 7662ae65-98c5-4a3f-9b24-83a5f9fb7a72_1044319203].

As of June 2024, China’s Chengdu J-10 fighter jet has established a notable presence in the global export market, with Pakistan being the principal confirmed foreign buyer.

Title:

Content: According to Turkish media reports, after the delay in delivery, Pakistan has decided to cancel its 2018 purchase of 30 T129 attack helicopters from Turkey, and switch to the purchase of Chinese-made Z-10ME armed helicopters, which can be said to be the dividends derived from Pakistan's purchase of Chinese-made J-10 fighters.
"Global Network" quoted the local media "Defense Industry News" reported that the decision to cancel the purchase of Turkish attack helicopters was the head of the Public Relations Department of the Pakistan Armed Forces Babar.
Major General Iftihar announced it at a press conference.
He said Pakistan was "determined to move forward" and confirmed that talks were under way with China on the purchase of the Z-10ME armed helicopters and that the Turkish deal had been abandoned.
The report pointed out that Pakistan and China in 2014 and the procurement of the direct -10 negotiations.
However, in 2018, Turkey ordered 30 T129 attack helicopters worth $1.5 billion from Turkey. Since the LHTEC-T800 engine for the helicopter is made in the United States, it must first obtain the US export license, but the United States has not responded, so Turkey has been unable to execute the order.
Turkey and the United States have been engaged in lengthy negotiations on the implementation of the contract, trying to obtain an export license for the engine.
Now, according to Pakistan, this process, which has been going on for many years, is over.
In an earlier statement, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Karin said, "The United States has prevented us from providing combat helicopters to Pakistan."
This could lead to the transfer of tenders to China, and the loser would be the United States. ”
According to earlier reports, in sharp contrast to Pakistan ’ s lack of a U.S. export license for its order, Turkey ’ s contract to sell the same attack helicopter to the Philippines was approved by the U.S. government.
Pakistan ’ s military plans to replace 48 old American-made AH-1F attack helicopters with new armed helicopters.
Previously, Pakistan had reached an agreement with the United States to purchase 12 new AH-1Z attack helicopters, but due to the problems of the United States, the agreement could not be implemented.
According to public information, the Chinese-made Z-10ME is an advanced attack helicopter that debuted in 2018, and it is derived from the Z-10 upgrade, including: equipped with active and passive confrontation equipment, replaced with more powerful engines up to 1200 kW, new engine exhaust vents to reduce infrared features, and attached deck to provide defense capabilities.
The report pointed out that the Z-10ME has all-weather combat capabilities, with air-to-air missiles, rockets, artillery and other airborne weapons, which can effectively attack enemy ground fortifications, armored and non-armored moving targets, and aerial targets such as helicopters.
It is understood that Pakistan has purchased at least 25 J-10CE fighters from China, and the country's interior minister recently announced that these fighters will fly over the observation deck in formation at the celebration of Pakistan's Independence Day in March.
This batch of fighters is also the first export of the J-10 series, which is of great significance to the international market prospects of China's defense industry.
Source: Turkish media: Pakistan cancels Turkish order to buy China direct -10ME, the loser will be the United States
# Armed Helicopter # Wu Zhi - 10ME # Turkey # Pakistan # China

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

Pakistan has procured at least 25 to 36 units of the J-10CE, which is the export variant of the advanced J-10C model.

Title:

Content: Chinese Army J-10 Crossing the Strait Central Line Ministry of Defense: Strict Monitoring of Missiles
Reporters Lu Chiung-chang / reporting from Taipei
The Ministry of Defense said that since 0600 hours yesterday (8) to 0600 hours, six sorties (including one over the middle line of the strait) and three ships have been detected, and activities around the Taiwan Strait have continued.
The military uses mission aircraft, ships and shore missile systems to closely monitor and respond.
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According to the plan released by the Ministry of Defense, the Chinese People's Liberation Army entered the airspace around the Taiwan Strait, and one of the PLA's J-10 fighters crossed the northern end of the Strait Central Line and immediately turned back.
In the 1980s, Israel Aerospace (IAI) developed the Lavi based on the F-16, but production was canceled due to opposition from the United States.
Since then, Chengdu Aircraft Company has cooperated with Lion to develop new fighters. Although Israel and China ended cooperation after 1989, Chengdu Aircraft Company continued to develop and develop the J-10A in 1998, and completed the test flight of the J-10A, and completed mass production two years later.
The J-10A adopts a single engine, a single vertical tail, and a single wing pneumatic configuration in the dual delta wing, which is characterized by excellent high altitude and high speed performance, and the front delta wing can improve the maneuverability of medium and low altitude, which can effectively shorten the take-off and landing distance.
J-10 fighter after service with Su-27SK, Su-30MKK, J-11 and other fighters formed a high and low match. Although the price of the J-10A is only half that of the F-16, but due to poor reliability, the supporting domestic engine development into a bottleneck, resulting in poor export performance.
After the production of the J-10A, Chengdu Aircraft Company started a performance improvement and improvement program in 2004, and the J-10B was successfully tested in December 2008. The J-10B abandoned the rectangular intake channel design and switched to a Rampless integrated intake channel similar to the FC-1, and continued to improve the launch of the J-10C. 2017 In June, the J-10C participated in the 90th anniversary parade of the People's Liberation Army, making its first public appearance, and the J-10C was replaced with an active phased array radar.
The Pakistan Air Force is the only foreign procurement unit of the J-10, ordering 36 J-10CE fighters, and J-10CE is the export model of the J-10C.
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How many J-10 Fighters has Pakistan imported from China?

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

These jets have been actively integrated into the Pakistan Air Force, with reports indicating their participation in formation flying during significant national events, reflecting operational satisfaction and confidence in the platform

Title:

Content: What's new

India’s AMCA ‘Stealth Fighters’ Enter Production Stage, How Does It Jet Stack-Up Against China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon?

beijingwalker

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India’s AMCA ‘Stealth Fighters’ Enter Production Stage, How Does It Jet Stack-Up Against China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon?

BySakshi Tiwari

March 21, 2022

The fifth-generation J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ is a prized possession of the Chinese PLA Air Force. With India’s prototype of AMCA going into production, will the Chinese stealth fighters have a potential challenger right across the border?

The Chengdu J-20 is a single-seat, multi-role stealth fighter that serves as a symbol of China’s growing air power as the plane has been featured prominently in military parades and air shows across the country.

Last year, the J-20 reportedly entered mass production after replacing the Russian AL-31F Turbofan engine with a domestically built WS-10. According to Chinese plans, the current WS-10C engine is further to be replaced by the latest and more advanced WS-15.

Chinese jets have traditionally been powered by Russian-made engines. China has long sought to develop its own engine and gain maximum flexibility, freeing itself from the constraints imposed by Russian engines. The successful integration of WS-15 on J-20s could be the next big breakthrough in self-sufficiency for China.

China’s next-generation turbofan engine, the WS-15, which is to dramatically boost the performance of the J-20 stealth fighter jet, has completed rigorous testing.

The WS-15 engine has undergone several tests, according to China Central Television (CCTV), after the WS-10, China’s first independently developed high performance, high thrust turbofan engine with afterburner, was installed on fighter jets such as the J-10, J-11, and J-20 since 2016.

The WS-15 has a low bypass ratio and is capable of thrust vector control, according to CCTV. It was developed for fifth-generation heavy and medium fighter jets. The J-20s were supposed to be integrated with the WS-15, but due to test failures, China decided to stick to the WS-10C.

The Chinese military now has a fleet of roughly 50 J-20s. New J-20s will be equipped with the WS-15 engine, said a report of South China Morning Post.

China has been relentlessly working to close the gap with the US Air Force and the upgrades that it is carrying out to the WS-10 engines are aimed at challenging the F-22 Raptors of the US.

This year, China will begin upgrading the J-20 engines by incorporating thrust vectoring technology to get it closer to the performance of the American F-22 Raptor, as previously reported by EurAsian Times.

File Image: J-20
The J-20 has also often been compared with another fifth-generation fighter Aircraft in the US arsenal, the F-35. China is reportedly on track to increase the production of its J-20 aircraft. This was perhaps in response to the American plan to field more than 2,000 F-35 stealth jets across its three armed services, besides Japan’s multibillion-dollar F-35 acquisition.

China had dispatched J-20s to air bases in Xinjiang following a bloody encounter with Indian forces at Galwan in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

India’s AMCA Warplane

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently announced the proverbial “metal cutting” for the first prototype of the country’s next-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

The maiden flight of the AMCA is scheduled for 2024-25, with serial production beginning in 2030, EurAsian Times had reported.

According to reports, the Indian Air Force has committed to 40 AMCA Mk-1 fighters, as well as at least 100 Mk-2 variants and some unmanned aircraft. Like the Chinese J-20, the stealthy AMCA is also going to have ‘super cruise’ capabilities.

With AMCA, India will enter the exclusive club of countries with fifth-generation stealth warplanes. So far, the US (F-35 and F-22 Raptors), Russia (Su-57), and China (J-20) have built such fighters.

An AMCA model displayed during Aero India 2021 (Wikimedia Commons)
Although it is unknown how the AMCA, which is yet to be manufactured, will exactly compete with the Chinese J-20,

According to Aeronautical Development Agency chief Girish Deodhare, the AMCA will be available in stealth and non-stealth variants and will be produced in two stages: an AMCA MK1 with an existing GE414 afterburning turbofan engine that powers the LCA Tejas, and an AMCA Mk2 with a new, more powerful engine that will be developed in collaboration with a foreign player.

India and France are now reportedly close to reaching an agreement for the joint development of a 125KN engine that will power AMCA. The deal is expected to be signed in the near future.

Some experts have speculated that the Indian Air Force would model its futuristic aircraft AMCA on the American F-35. If true, this could ensure greater interoperability between the Indian and US Air Forces and could come as a massive headache for the PLAAF.

AMCA will be a single-seat all-weather swing-role stealth fighter jet with twin turbofan engines. It will be capable of a wide range of operations, including air superiority, ground strikes, enemy air defense suppression, and electronic warfare. China is reportedly working on a two-seat variant of the J-20.

AMCA is designed for super-cruise capability and a reduced radar cross-section. Both these features that the AMCA strives to include are already present in the J-20 Mighty Dragon. Further, J-20 took its first flight a decade ago and was inducted in 2017 whereas the AMCA is yet to see the light of the day.

The 20-ton AMCA fighter would be able to carry one-and-a-half tons of armament in internal weapon bays in its stealth mode. The non-stealth variant would carry weapons, targeting and observation pods, as well as fuel tanks on external pylons under the wings and fuselage.

Further, like the indigenous LCA Tejas that wields Python missiles, Astra BVRAAM, Vympel R-77, and R-73 air-to-air missiles, the Kh-59ME TV guided stand-off missile and the Kh-59MK laser-guided stand-off missiles, the AMCA could be integrated with similar weapons. Just as India sought HAMMER missiles for LCA, advanced missiles could also be imported for the AMCA.

Indian media reported that the AMCA could be equipped with Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) just as China’s J-20 is believed to get the DEWs, as previously revealed by a Global Times report.

The AMCA’s avionics suite will comprise modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities with “sixth-generation characteristics.” The plane will have a very low radar cross-section for better stealth, as well as AI-based technologies and an upgraded cockpit display with a touch screen interface.

All these specifications are expected to put the aircraft on par with the J-20. According to reports, the AMCA will also incorporate thrust-vectoring engines. The J-20 is on course to upgrade its WS-10 engines with thrust vectoring technology while the WS-15 already possesses this technology aimed at achieving better maneuverability.

Both the Chinese J-20 and Indian AMCA have air superiority as their primary objectives. While the Chinese Air Force developed its fifth-generation fighter years ago, the addition of a similar aircraft to IAF’s arsenal could create a balance of power between the two adversaries that are locked in a prolonged border standoff.

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Its a long long way from production stage. Some bits are being assembled but that does not mean its entered production.
It will be some years before it flies

baqai

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i don't understand how can they jump from one project to another without finishing the first one?

i mean LCA is still not finished, the aircraft has not been inducted in the Airforce, not seen any combat, not seen any real life flying yet it is up for sale.

Reminds me of our politicians ... project hu na hu inauguration karwa du apnay naam ki

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i don't understand how can they jump from one project to another without finishing the first one?

i mean LCA is still not finished, the aircraft has not been inducted in the Airforce, not seen any combat, not seen any real life flying yet it is up for sale.

Reminds me of our politicians ... project hu na hu inauguration karwa du apnay naam ki

Have you thought of the possibility that they have different teams for different projects?

Moreover, for the AMCA and the multi-role helicopter projects, the majority of the ownership is expected to be owned by a consortium of private sector companies with HAL being the minority stake holder. There is a huge difference in the working cultures of private and public sector companies in India.

Indos

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Its a long long way from production stage. Some bits are being assembled but that does not mean its entered production.
It will be some years before it flies

Yup, that is just a tiny part production, similar like KF21/IFX program there are some parts being produced in early 2019 despite detail design completion was in September 2019 ( for single seat variant), KF 21 roll out is in 2021 April.

So if we compare AMCA with KF21/IFX program, so AMCA prototype roll out will likely be in 2024 and test flight is in 2025 with assumption the development goes smoothly from now until the flight test.

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Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

[a834da70-5664-4631-bba7-dba8ef82cd52_942464069; ca5d5316-4583-45b6-a00a-47c9c47c6d2f_739925080].

Title:

Content: The American F-16...
Information on the Chinese J-10C fighter
© AFP 2023 / KARIM SAHIBChinese J-10 fighter
Follow us via
The Chinese J-10 is touted as the best alternative to the US fourth-generation F-16, which has led some countries to consider acquiring it.
China has produced about 350 such aircraft since they entered service in 2005, according to Military Factory.
The aircraft has a single crew and is used by China and Pakistan and is designed for aerial combat missions with a variety of weapons.
Turkey to replace F-16 with Chinese fighter jet
Photos & Videos
What are the technical specifications of the J-10?
Length: 15.5 meters.
Distance between wings: 9.7 meters.
Height: 4.7 meters.
Weight of empty aircraft: 9.7 tons.
The total weight of the aircraft is 18.5 tons.
Speed: 2,336 km / h.
Altitude: 20,000 meters.
Range: 1800 kilometers.
What is the arming of the J-10?
The Chinese J-10 has six under-wing and five under-hull external suspension points that allow it to carry a large external payload of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, laser-guided bombs and other types of conventional bombs, as well as a 23 mm internal machine gun.
There are several versions of the aircraft, some with one seat and others with two seats for training tasks, including:
The J-10A is a single-seat multirole fighter.
J-10B: Marine version with twin-engine engines.
J-10C: An upgraded version of the B version with an electronic radar and infrared guidance system for missiles.
© AFP 2023 / WANG ZHAO Chinese J-10 fighter
The Chinese J-10 fighter.
The J-10C is an upgraded export version, which Turkey may acquire as a replacement for the U.S. F-16 fighter jets.
Earlier, a Turkish presidential official said Ankara was expected to abandon the U.S. F-16 fighter jets due to the availability of a better alternative in the Chinese J-10 signal.
© SputnikWhat are the capabilities of the Chinese J-16 fighter?
What are the capabilities of the Chinese J-16 fighter?
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Turkey has also been strongly linked with potential acquisition plans for the J-10C to replace its aging F-16 fleet.

Which country may purchase China's J-10 Fighter as an alternative to the U.S. F-16 Fighters?

Turkish officials reportedly consider the Chinese J-10 as a competitive alternative, offering modern avionics, radar, and weapon compatibility that places it as a viable counterpart to the US-made F-16 jets.

Which country may purchase China's J-10 Fighter as an alternative to the U.S. F-16 Fighters?

Although no finalized deal is evident, the discussions highlight the increasing appeal of the J-10 in the international market, especially among countries seeking fourth-generation fighter alternatives at competitive costs without dependence on Western restrictions .

What has China said about its J-10C Fighter?

It is the most competitive fighter jet in the international arms market in recent years.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

J-10 series are a fourth-generation fighters.

From the buyers’ perspective, the J-10C series benefits from ongoing modernization, notably the integration of China’s indigenous WS-10B turbofan engine with thrust vectoring capabilities, replacing earlier Russian engine dependencies, which enhances the jet’s maneuverability and operational autonomy.

Title:

Content: If the J-20 is China ’ s top and most popular fighter, then the J-10C should be given the most expectations, because the CCP believes it is a more competitive fighter in the international arms market in recent years. Although the J-10 was designed in the 1980s, after many improvements and upgrades, it has spawned at least 11 models, and its export model, the J-10C, has gradually opened up the international market. There was a lot of praise in the beginning.
Foreign military analysts believe that after continuous upgrading, the J-10 fighter will be able to use by the 2040s, becoming the United States F-15's most powerful competitor.
The initial design was a 3rd generation fighter architecture, but the constantly upgraded J-10 series has been included in the 4th generation fighter by many experts, it has more than 11 mounting points under the fuselage and wing, and can carry an astonishing number of weapons, including laser-guided missiles, GPS-guided and glide bombs, as well as general air-to-air and ground attack ammunition.
The J-10 was designed by Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611) and manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Company. It was designed in the 1990s, when the PLA developed its own fighter aircraft with a program called the "Destroying Project Plan". It was the No. 10 project, hence the name J-10.
The original concept was to extensively use the technology of the 1980s US F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft and new fighter manufacturing concepts. The chief designer was Song Wenchong, which first flew in 1998 and entered service in 2003.
With a range of 2,500 kilometers and a payload of 1.9 tons, the J-10 has appeared in at least 11 types of aircraft after years of modification on this basis, making it the largest number of derivative aircraft in China.
According to the British Institute for International Strategic Studies (IISS) estimates, the Chinese air force currently has at least 540 J-10s, which can be assembled on a large scale to deal with super large battles.
The "Global Defense" website has carefully analyzed the latest J-10 upgrade to a phased array radar, which can control multiple modes of fire control radar and track 10 targets at the same time. If it is a semi-active radar, it can attack 2 targets at the same time, and if it is an active radar, it can attack 4 targets at the same time.
Analysis pointed out that the ability to track and attack multiple targets at the same time is very important for modern aircraft, and this ability can also be matched to the AN / APG-63 (V1) radar on the F-15.
Later, Boeing again updated the active phased array radar version of the F-15, allowing the F-15 to follow 14 targets simultaneously and attack six of them simultaneously.
This upgrade is said to maintain a nominal advantage over the J-10 fighter that has replaced the active phased array radar.
The upgrade of the J-10 is also the most noteworthy, including the replacement of its domestic engine WS-10B, and the 2018 Zhuhai Air Show was also the first time that the J-10B was equipped with a thrust vector jet engine for a difficult flight performance, which won the attention of many international media and heated discussion on the Internet.
Since then, the WS-10 engine has gradually replaced the Russian AL-31 engine, and some of the J-20 fighters have been switched to the WS-10.
In addition, military experts also noted that the new version of the J-10 also uses a water drop type cockpit cover, allowing the pilot to have a wider and nearly 360-degree all-round view.
Analysts believe that after the radar, fire control, avionics, cockpit covers and engines have been upgraded, the J-10 has the ability to fly into the 2040s, and in recent years began to complete transactions in the international market, proving that nearly 20 years of continuous upgrading and improvement has achieved considerable results, and will also become a very strong international competitor for the United States F-15 fighter.
However, to compare the F-15 with the J-10, some people may think that it is not fair.
Because the F-15 architecture was determined in the late 1960s, it first flew in the early 1970s; in contrast, the J-10 was determined in the early 1980s, and it first flew in the late 1990s.
The theoretical basis of the original design is more than 10 years apart, and the final design is more than 20 years apart.
From the design background difference analysis, the F-15 is a high thrust ratio, low wing load, low resistance high-speed air superiority fighter designed by the US military according to the experience of the Vietnam War and the failure of the F-4 Phantom fighter. Air and ground attack aircraft.
Therefore, some analysts believe that if we want to compare, J-10 may be more suitable to take the F-16 as the target.
Coupled with the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait in recent years, there are more and more people are more concerned about the comparison of the J-10 and Taiwan's main air force fighter F-16.
Source: Headlines Revealed on Facebook.com
# J-10 # fighter # J-20 # F-15 # Chengdu Aircraft Company

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

Advanced avionics such as active phased array radar enable simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets, marking a significant leap in the J-10’s combat capabilities.

How is J-10C Fighter compared with JF-17, another jet fighter that China exports?

J-10 can be outfitted with a bigger active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

Its multi-role flexibility includes air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a substantial weapon payload capacity and improved cockpit visibility via a water-drop canopy design .

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

What may some improvements made in China's J-10 Fighter help Pakistan Airforce?

Enable Pakistan Air Force to carry more missiles to perform combat missions

Military analysts view the J-10 as a continuous evolution from its original 1980s design.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

Despite its mid-generation origins, with upgrades it is considered a robust 4th generation fighter expected to remain operational through the 2040s.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

J-10 series are a fourth-generation fighters.

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

What have foreign military analysts said about China's J-10 Fighter?

It will be able to be used until the 2040s.

Its combination of advanced radar, avionics, weaponry, and cost-effectiveness positions the J-10 as a strong competitor for Western aircraft like the F-15 and F-16 in multiple international markets.

What has China said about its J-10C Fighter?

It is the most competitive fighter jet in the international arms market in recent years.

What have foreign military analysts said about China's J-10 Fighter?

It will become the most powerful competitor to the US F-15.

Some experts argue the J-10 aligns more closely with the F-16’s performance profile but offers significant improvements, making it attractive for countries with tight defense budgets or political constraints on Western arms.

Importantly, Pakistan’s adoption and operational use reflect positive feedback and contribute to the jet’s export credentials .

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

In defense media and expert commentary, the J-10 is often cited as a symbol of China’s maturing aerospace industry, combining affordability, technological sophistication, and operational flexibility.

Its upgrades, including indigenous engine development and advanced electronic warfare suites, receive attention as China seeks to expand its footprint in the international arms market.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

An advanced export model of J-10 Fighter

The reports also note that political factors and export restrictions faced by traditional suppliers like the US have opened avenues for the J-10’s growth in export markets, exemplified by Pakistan’s commitment and Turkey’s expressions of interest.

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

Which country may purchase China's J-10 Fighter as an alternative to the U.S. F-16 Fighters?

However, detailed evaluations from buyers beyond Pakistan remain sparse, and formal confirmed export contracts remain limited.

Title:

Content: In 2023, the Chinese Air Force officially deployed the 41st Air Brigade consisting of J-20 fighters at the Wuyishan Air Force Base in Fujian Province, and it is reported that at least six J-20s were in service that year.
"Bulgarian Military Network" (BulgarianMilitary.com) reported on the 20th that this is the 11th Chinese unit to replace the J-20, and it is also the third such transformation in 2023.
Other replacements included the 97th Air Brigade at Dazu Air Force Base near Chengdu, and the 4th Air Brigade at Foshan Air Force Base near Shenzhen.
Prior to this, the Wuyishan Force had been using 4-generation fighter jets since 2008, and the J-11, like the J-20, was a heavy-duty twin-engine air superiority fighter.
The production of the J-20 increased significantly at the end of 2021, while the fuselage and avionics equipment continued to improve, and the delivery volume in 2022 continued to increase.
Looking ahead, deliveries of the J-20 are expected to be close to 100 in 2024 and 120 in 2025, which will make it more than 250% higher than the US Air Force ’ s F-35.
Because technically, China ’ s civil war is not over, Wuyi Mountain is particularly sensitive due to its close proximity to the Taiwan Strait.
One of the major changes in the military balance is the development of China's 5th generation fighter aircraft.
In contrast, Taiwan relies heavily on the U.S.-made F-16 for air defense, a lightweight fourth-generation fighter that first flew more than half a century ago.
Since the early 2000s, Taipei has been trying to procure five generations of F-35 fighters from the United States, but for various reasons, it has never been able to do so. The strategic location of Wuyi Mountain, only 200 kilometers from the Taiwan Strait, is the key.
However, the J-20 ’ s impressive 2,000-kilometer combat radius means that troops stationed further afield can still effectively fight in the event of a local conflict.
By the end of 2022, eight brigades had confirmed the deployment of the J-20, and although only three brigades were officially included in the 2023 renovation record, there was strong suspicion that two more brigades had already done so.
China speeds up Chengdu J-20 fighter deliveries to military
# J-20 # F-35 # F-16 # Invisible # Aircraft

What are the consequences of the problems that China's J-10 Fighters have?

What problems have J-10 Fighters that China exports had?

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

Overall, the export market for China’s J-10 fighter jets currently centers on Pakistan as the sole confirmed buyer with operational deployment, while countries like Turkey represent potential future customers attracted by the jet's competitive capabilities and affordability.

What are the consequences of the problems that China's J-10 Fighters have?

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

Which country may purchase China's J-10 Fighter as an alternative to the U.S. F-16 Fighters?

Buyer feedback, primarily from Pakistan, is generally positive, emphasizing the jet’s modern avionics, engine upgrades, and multi-role versatility.

Which countries' airforces are the purchasers of China's J-10 FIghter?

Expert analysis recognizes the J-10’s steady technological advancement making it a credible contender in the global market against Western fourth-generation fighters.

What has China said about its J-10C Fighter?

It is the most competitive fighter jet in the international arms market in recent years.

What has Taiwanese meida said about China's J-10 Fighter?

Substantial improvements have been made on it.

An advanced export model of J-10 Fighter

Political dynamics in international arms sales continue to influence demand for the J-10.

More comprehensive buyer reviews and confirmed sales data beyond Pakistan would be needed for a fuller export market assessment

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Saharan dust storms originate from the Sahara Desert in North Africa and annually transport vast quantities of dust—about 180 million tons—across the Atlantic Ocean, reaching parts of the Americas, including the southern U.S., Gulf Coast, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

These dust events primarily occur from late spring through early fall, peaking from late June into mid-August, often influencing states like Texas and cities such as San Antonio and Houston

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Meteorologically, Saharan dust is associated with the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), a dry, dust-laden air mass that suppresses cloud formation and thunderstorm activity due to having around 50% less moisture than typical atmospheric conditions.

This dry air tends to reduce tropical cyclone and hurricane formation in the Atlantic basin during the hurricane season, acting as a “hurricane killer” by limiting moisture necessary for storm development [976e5a88-b9d0-4613-be71-b666fa22d6f3_776351012; 847379b8-aea2-4369-b4fb-37b79f3e9753_449770659; 270add43-f80a-4e9c-b485-5fe6a47a33f4_186258722].

For San Antonio, incoming dust storms frequently bring hazy skies with the daylight horizon taking on a milky white color and vibrant orange hues during sunrise and sunset due to light scattering by dust particles

[847379b8-aea2-4369-b4fb-37b79f3e9753_449770659; 5dc9163b-9ad8-4a82-8d61-269b3aa8f216_79048364].

In terms of air quality, Saharan dust significantly increases particulate matter concentrations (notably PM10 and PM2.5), which can exacerbate respiratory issues such as asthma, COPD, allergies, and cardiovascular problems especially in vulnerable populations (children, elderly, those with preexisting respiratory conditions).

The dust also carries microbial life—bacteria and fungi, some potentially pathogenic—though direct infection risks remain uncertain.

Saharan dust storms originate from the Sahara Desert in North Africa and annually transport vast quantities of dust—about 180 million tons—across the Atlantic Ocean, reaching parts of the Americas, including the southern U.S., Gulf Coast, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

Title:

Content: Dust storms.
sources and danger.
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At the beginning of this year's spring season, the incidence of dust storms increased significantly.
Their frequency varies from year to year, but generally increases in the transitional periods between seasons, especially spring and autumn, for many reasons, some natural and others of a human nature, that is, by man.
Dust storms are fast winds that transport dust and plankton, causing a lack of visibility at short distances.
Despite the great controversy over the causes of dust or dust storms and the fact that the camel bears full responsibility for their occurrence, as stated in one of the videos circulated on social media, the reasons are not limited to the poor camel alone, even if it is one of the reasons!
The causes of dust storms are many, including: (1) Desertification as a result of drought resulting from low rainfall.
(2) Desertification due to human activities associated with overgrazing as a result of increasing numbers of camels and sheep on pasture capacity.
(3) Extensive agricultural activities, especially ploughing the land and leaving it exposed for long periods.
(4) Soil movement as a result of development and military actions and absurd car tracks in deserts that led to the breaking and dismantling of the soil and the destruction of vegetation cover.
(5) The reduction of the surface groundwater table, which led to the drying of the soil and thus the impact on the vegetation cover.
Globally, sub-Saharan Africa is the main contributor to Earth ’ s dust storms, which travel to the Americas via the Atlantic Ocean via tropical east winds.
But the Fertile Crescent has also become a source of dust, due to the halving of agricultural production as a result of climate change.
Iraq is one of the sources of dust storms as a result of the decline of the level of rivers, which led to the drought of the marshes and lakes in Iraq and Iran, and add to the list of sources open deserts of the Kingdom, which suffer environmental degradation as a result of human tampering of unfair grazing and wood and the like.
Dust storms are one of the factors responsible for increased allergic reactions, asthma attacks and chronic breathing problems, as well as blood vessels and heart disease.
Dust storms are also carriers of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, germs and viruses that cause certain diseases.
Besides, dust storms have economic effects, they adversely affect agricultural production by transporting agricultural pests, reducing photosynthetic activity, destroying crops, as well as affecting infrastructure, by reducing visibility, disrupting energy and air and road transport systems, burying railways, as well as contributing to the deterioration of the performance of solar panels, as well as damaging residential property.
There is no doubt that dust storms and their increased frequency are a warning sign that requires a rapid response through a review of environmental regulations, the need to raise the environmental awareness of the population, the organization of grazing seasons based on the identification of the pastoral capacity of each region, as well as innovative solutions to mitigate desertification that benefit from tremendous technical progress.
Finally, it follows from the above that the problem is not country-specific, but a regional problem that requires concerted efforts.
The Green Middle East initiative by Prince Mohammed bin Salman is designed to design innovative solutions to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability through a number of projects, including: planting 50 billion trees across the Middle East region and reclaiming 200 million hectares of degraded land through afforestation, which contributes to a 2.5 per cent reduction in global carbon emissions.
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What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

These dust events primarily occur from late spring through early fall, peaking from late June into mid-August, often influencing states like Texas and cities such as San Antonio and Houston

Title:

Content: Hurricane Killer? Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust

Dust from Africa moves across the Atlantic every year from late spring to early fall

It’s a common visitor in the summer months: dust from the Saharan Desert. Hazy skies and occasional allergies are common issues caused by the dust. But did you know that this layer of dust is more interesting than it appears? Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust:

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Millions of tons of dust are transported across the Atlantic every year
  • Nutrient-rich Saharan dust plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem
  • Dust suppresses hurricane development

WHOLE LOTTA DUST!

Every year, from late spring to early fall, trade winds transport 180 million tons of dust from the Saharan Desert across the Atlantic Ocean. Impressively, that’s as much as 4.5 million 18-wheelers full of dust!

NATURE’S BEST FRIEND

Saharan dust is often rich in nutrients like iron and phosphorus. As the dust settles over the ocean, it fertilizes algae and plankton, allowing them to grow and flourish in an otherwise barren environment. These organisms are vital sources of food for ocean life.

Similarly, as the dust settles over land, areas like the Amazon rainforest benefit from the extra nutrients.

HURRICANE EXTINGUISHER

The African dust that moves across the Atlantic Ocean is also called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). The SAL occurs in waves at the same time as Atlantic hurricane season, from June through November.

It’s known that the SAL limits hurricane development and strength. This is because tropical storms like hurricanes need deep, rich moisture from the surface to the top of the atmosphere to survive. Since the air carrying Saharan dust is usually dry, it can prevent storms from forming and suppress existing storms from growing and strengthening.

DUST’S IMPACT ON TEXAS

While a dense plume of dust sometimes causes minor allergy-like symptoms for some, the most noticeable impact is on Texas skies. A haze often forms on the horizon, giving an ordinarily clear, blue sky a milky hue during the day.

At sunrise and sunset, the horizon can appear brilliantly orange because, with dust in the air, sunlight has more particles to bounce off.

About the Author

Sarah Spivey is a San Antonio native who grew up watching KSAT. She has been a proud member of the KSAT Weather Authority Team since 2017. Sarah is a Clark High School and Texas A&M University graduate. She previously worked at KTEN News. When Sarah is not busy forecasting, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, and playing music.

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What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

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Content: 03-27-2024

Sahara desert dust storms carry harmful bacteria and fungi around the globe

We often dismiss springtime allergies as reactions to local pollen. Yet, something else might cause our sniffles and sneezes: a massive dust storms that originate thousands of miles away in Africa’s Sahara region.

These gargantuan dust plumes travel the globe every summer, carrying a cocktail of pollutants and potential pathogens across continents.

Dr. Shankar Chellam, a Texas A&M University professor is leading the charge to understand the biological hitchhikers within dust storms.

He and his team are working to determine what microbes, specifically bacteria and fungi, migrate with the dust and explore their potential impact on human health.

Hidden passengers in Sahara dust

“We all get allergies and potentially other more severe health effects when we breathe in dust, and it’s not fully known as to what causes those allergies,” said Dr. Chellam.

“Some people may think it is just the sand or clay minerals in the dust. Others think it is the metals or organics in the dust, and then some think it’s the bacteria and fungi.”

The Saharan dust cloud carries vast amounts of sand particles that transport bacteria and fungi.

Dr. Chellam’s research uniquely addresses how Saharan dust storms introduce these microbes into North America.

What the dust storm from Sahara tells us

Dr. Chellam and his team analyzed samples from a Saharan dust event that reached Houston in 2018. They measured metals, bacteria, and fungi to investigate any connections.

Fascinatingly, their findings revealed strong links between the biodiversity of the microbes and specific elements, especially calcium.

While these elements occur naturally in the Sahara, they also exist in our local environments. Pinpointing the exact origin of the dust and its cargo remains a challenge that scientists continue to tackle.

Our air – Not as empty as we think

Perhaps the most startling discovery is that even seemingly lifeless clouds of dust brim with biological activity.

“A key takeaway from this study is that a lot of biodiversity is not scientifically described. It doesn’t have a name, it can’t be cultured, and because it can’t be cultured, it’s difficult to study,” explained Dr. Daniel Spalink, assistant professor at Texas A&M.

The team’s high-tech DNA analysis allowed them to create an inventory of bacteria and fungi, even if the microbes themselves weren’t active.

Surprisingly, they found traces of several pathogens known to cause disease in humans, as listed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“It doesn’t tell us if they are going to be able to infect us and make us sick,” Spalink cautions, “But at least the DNA of several pathogenic bacteria and fungi were identified in the African dust.”

Impact of climate change on Sahara dust

Climate change is altering weather patterns globally. This transformation affects dust storm behavior, leading to variations in their frequency and intensity.

In 2020, the United States experienced the most massive Saharan dust storm ever recorded, which experts named “Godzilla.”

This event highlighted the potential for increasing occurrences of such dust invasions. “The whole dynamics of the Saharan dust coming to Houston is primarily driven by atmospheric processes,” said Dr. Sourav Das, a former student of Dr. Chellam.

Global connection of Sahara dust

Sahara dust storm travels far beyond the borders of North America, affecting global environmental systems in profound ways.

This dust, originating from the vast Sahara Desert, embarks on transcontinental journeys that influence climate, ocean biology, and ecosystems far removed from its source.

The Saharan dust plays a critical role in climate regulation. As it travels across oceans and continents, it reflects sunlight back into space, cooling the Earth’s surface.

This natural phenomenon acts as a counterbalance to the warming effects of greenhouse gases, showcasing how desert dust can influence global temperatures.

However, the dust also carries microorganisms and nutrients, such as phosphorus, that fertilize remote ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to the Caribbean Sea, demonstrating nature’s complex nutrient cycles.

Benefits to oceans

Ocean biology benefits from the nutrient-rich dust as well. When Saharan dust settles on ocean waters, it delivers essential minerals that stimulate the growth of phytoplankton.

These microscopic plants form the foundation of the oceanic food chain, supporting a diverse array of marine life.

The influx of nutrients from the Sahara can thus boost marine productivity, affecting fish populations and the global fishing industry.

Disadvantages

The impact of Saharan dust is not universally beneficial. In ecosystems unaccustomed to the influx of foreign particles and nutrients, the dust can disrupt local environments.

For example, excessive dust deposition can smother coral reefs, blocking sunlight and hindering photosynthesis. This can stress coral ecosystems, leading to bleaching events and loss of biodiversity.

Moreover, the health implications of Saharan dust extend across continents. The dust carries not only nutrients but also pollutants and pathogens that can affect air quality and public health.

Communities in the path of these dust plumes may experience increased respiratory issues, allergies, and diseases, highlighting the need for global health monitoring and preparedness.

Study insights

It’s crucial to gather data across multiple dust events, spanning many years, to get a clearer picture of these airborne microbial communities and how they might transform over time.

While a lot remains unknown, research like this shines a spotlight on the hidden travelers swirling in the air we breathe — travelers who might be affecting our health in surprising ways.

The next time you catch a glimpse of a dust storm rolling in, remember the globe-trotting microbes it carries!

The findings of the study are published in Environmental Science & Technology.

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Meteorologically, Saharan dust is associated with the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), a dry, dust-laden air mass that suppresses cloud formation and thunderstorm activity due to having around 50% less moisture than typical atmospheric conditions.

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

This dry air tends to reduce tropical cyclone and hurricane formation in the Atlantic basin during the hurricane season, acting as a “hurricane killer” by limiting moisture necessary for storm development [976e5a88-b9d0-4613-be71-b666fa22d6f3_776351012; 847379b8-aea2-4369-b4fb-37b79f3e9753_449770659; 270add43-f80a-4e9c-b485-5fe6a47a33f4_186258722].

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Content: Hurricane center begins tracking a system in the Caribbean

·2 min read

ORLANDO, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center has been jumping around the last few days tracking short-lived systems with the potential to form into a tropical depression or storm. Late Monday, the NHC began looking at the Caribbean Sea.

As of the NHC’s 8 p.m. Eastern time tropical update, a tropical wave located in the central Caribbean is forecast to move across Central America and emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico where it could develop into the season’s next named system.

“Some gradual development of this system is possible thereafter as it moves slowly to the northwest or north-northwest over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico by this weekend,” said NHC hurricane specialist Philippe Papin.

The NHC gives the system a 20% chance of formation in the next five days.

The Caribbean system follows the NHC keeping track of a broad trough of low pressure in the mid-Atlantic late Sunday, but its chances of formation dropped to 0% by Monday morning. Over the weekend, the NHC tracked a system in the Gulf of Mexico, but it failed to form into more than a spate of showers and thunderstorms that drenched southeastern Texas. Before that, a system off the African coast showed some signs of development before environmental factors snuffed its chances.

Part of the reason for what prevents tropical storm development is the dry conditions in the Atlantic. A large migration of African dust, the Saharan Air Layer, or SAL, is the main reason tropical moisture isn’t at the ideal level for development. Large dust plumes are still pushing west of Africa and into the Caribbean, preventing the Atlantic basin from becoming a hurricane nursery, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s SAL forecast shows.

Hurricane season is approaching its peak, which runs from mid-August to mid-October, with Sept. 10 recorded as the statistically most productive day of storms in the tropics.

So far, the 2022 season has seen three named storms: Alex, Bonnie and Colin. Based on historical averages, the fourth named storm of the year typically appears by Aug. 15. If a system were to emerge, it would receive the name Danielle.

Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reaffirmed its preseason prediction of an above-average hurricane season with a range of 14 to 21 named storms. The NOAA expects most of those storms to emerge at the peak of the season.

Hurricane season ends on Nov. 30.

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How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

For San Antonio, incoming dust storms frequently bring hazy skies with the daylight horizon taking on a milky white color and vibrant orange hues during sunrise and sunset due to light scattering by dust particles

Title:

Content: Breaking News
More () »

San Antonians may want to stay indoors next week. Here's why.

A noticeable change in the air will arrive to the Alamo City next week.

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio skies could look quite different next week but not in the way we're hoping for.

As San Antonians eagerly wait for rain to break our triple-digit temperatures another common occurrence will pick-up next week known as Saharan dust.

The dust is a combination of sand and dust traveling from North Africa across the Atlantic that peaking in late June through mid-August.

Light amounts of Saharan dust have arrived to the Alamo City this past week but will become more noticeable. Therefore, if you have asthma, COPD or any other type of respiratory illness you will want to stay indoors as much as possible during this time.

Timing of Saharan dust:

Monday - Little changes will be in the forecast as heavier amounts of dust remain over the gulf coast.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Tuesday - A large moderate level of Saharan dust will move into South Texas and San Antonio by late afternoon. San Antonians may notice hazy skies and trouble breathing if you're more sensitive to dusty air. But the dust doesn't stop here.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Wednesday - By mid-week Saharan dust ramps up continuing to build and push farther north stretching to the Dallas area. The continuing flow of the dust is partly due to a high pressure bringing a southeasterly flow to help pump the dust toward South Texas.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Thursday - As the week progresses dust levels continue to rise and could affect air quality levels. For those with any respiratory illnesses they should avoid outdoor activity including vigorous exercise. Also try to keep windows and doors closed. We will continue to monitor this development next week.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

As dust increases across the area, San Antonians will notice more vibrant sunrises and sunsets. However, during the afternoons the sky appears a more milky white color.

Before You Leave, Check This Out

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

[847379b8-aea2-4369-b4fb-37b79f3e9753_449770659; 5dc9163b-9ad8-4a82-8d61-269b3aa8f216_79048364].

Title:

Content: Saharan dust reaches stunning levels in Atlantic. Here's what that means for hurricane season

Significant Saharan dust plumes are common in the Atlantic during the start of hurricane season. If levels of SAL maintain a steadiness after about Aug. 20, then there would be significant ramifications to both the amount of cyclones and their overall strength.

First, Europe that was socked in by record levels of dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa. The Atlantic appears to have now taken the lead, with dust levels not seen in years across parts of the basin.

Satellite measurements indicate intensive plumes of dust, called the Saharan Air Layer, across much of the eastern Atlantic. Traces of dust have even made the more than 4,000-mile journey to Florida and the Gulf Coast.

Sunrises and sunsets have been enhanced across the Sunshine State as the particles scatter typical colors, allowing hues of orange, yellow and red to dominate the sky.

Aside from the vibrant colors, something not falling from the sky is precipitation.

According to NOAA, the air surrounding the SAL has about 50% less moisture than the typical atmosphere. This means the presence of the SAL can be detrimental to cloud formation and thunderstorm activity.

Significant plumes of dust and dry air are common during the first months of the hurricane season and usually persist through mid-August.

A LOOK AT A PHENOMENON THAT COULD DERAIL AN ACTIVE HURRICANE SEASON

How Saharan dust impacts hurricane season

NOAA estimates that more than 180 million tons of dust leave the African continent every year, reducing thunderstorm activity and tropical cyclone formation.

Dry air and Saharan dust are perennial wild cards in tropical weather outlooks, as meteorology has yet to develop sufficient methods to forecast plumes weeks and months in advance.

Years with significant dust often experience reduced cyclone activity. Seasons with minimal dust typically rank at the top echelons of activity, thanks to increased moisture availability for tropical systems and warmer water temperatures.

The current season is a bit unusual as water temperatures started on the warm side across much of the basin, negating any minor effects from a dust storm.

Warm waters and limited exposure to dry air helped with the formations of AlbertoBeryl and Chris during late June and early July.

Since Beryl’s historic trek through the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico, the basin has been relatively quiet, a likely product of the increase in dry air.

The trend for limited activity in the Atlantic basin is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, meaning that the next cyclone formation may be weeks away.

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE SAHARAN DUST PLUME

During an average year, the fourth-named storm usually doesn’t form until about Aug. 15, meaning any formation during the next month will keep the season ahead of a typical schedule.

Despite the hostile conditions in the Atlantic, hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University maintain that 2024 will be a busy season in the Atlantic.

CSU released its updated outlook Tuesday, which calls for an additional 22 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes.

"This forecast is of above-normal confidence. We anticipate a well above-average probability for major hurricane landfalls along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean," CSU forecasters stated during their most recent tropical update. "As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season."

The season runs through Nov. 30, but nearly 60% of cyclone formation occurs in August and September.

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In terms of air quality, Saharan dust significantly increases particulate matter concentrations (notably PM10 and PM2.5), which can exacerbate respiratory issues such as asthma, COPD, allergies, and cardiovascular problems especially in vulnerable populations (children, elderly, those with preexisting respiratory conditions).

How does Saharan dust affect immediate weather?

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?

cardiovascular diseases
respiratory issues
allergies

The dust also carries microbial life—bacteria and fungi, some potentially pathogenic—though direct infection risks remain uncertain.