Iran has intensified talks with China to procure Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jets, signalling a significant shift in its military procurement strategy following setbacks with Russian Su-35 deliveries and recent aerial bombardments by Israeli and U.S. forces. According to reports by The Moscow Times and Iranian outlet Khorasan, the country is prioritising speed and affordability in upgrading its decades-old fleet.

Iran’s 2023 agreement with Russia to acquire 50 Su-35 jets has not yielded the expected deliveries, with only four aircraft reportedly arriving. The delays, compounded by international sanctions, have left Tehran dissatisfied and vulnerable. In contrast, the J-10C, a 4.5-generation Chinese fighter, is both cheaper (costing USD 40–60 million per unit versus the Su-35’s higher price tag) and available within a shorter timeframe.

This decision comes in the aftermath of a coordinated airstrike in June 2025 by Israeli and U.S. fighter jets targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran’s air force failed to respond effectively, sparking widespread criticism and urgency to modernise its air defence systems. According to military analysts, the absence of an adequate air response during this offensive significantly exposed the operational limitations of Iran’s existing air force.

Iran had initially shown interest in J-10 series aircraft as far back as 2015, engaging in talks to purchase up to 150 jets. However, those negotiations were derailed due to a UN arms embargo and payment disagreements. China demanded foreign currency, while Iran proposed barter transactions using oil and gas, which were rejected.

With the lifting of parts of the embargo and worsening geopolitical pressures, Iran is now reportedly seeking to procure 36 J-10C fighters. These aircraft are compatible with the PL-15 long-range missile system, a crucial upgrade considering Iran’s current inventory, which includes outdated models like F-14s, MiG-29s, and F-4 Phantoms. The J-10Cs would likely replace these aging jets and enhance Iran’s air-to-air combat capabilities substantially.

The J-10C is also already in use by Pakistan, which operates the aircraft as part of its air deterrent strategy against India. Observers believe Iran may draw insights from Pakistan’s operational deployment of the J-10C to inform its own integration strategies. Additionally, Iran may be able to leverage existing military cooperation with China to secure logistics, parts, and maintenance training for long-term operations.

The Iranian regime’s recent military doctrine revisions, particularly after Operation Sindoor and its counter-terror efforts, have placed greater emphasis on air superiority and mobility. With multiple hostile neighbours and increasing external threats, including from the Gulf Arab states, Israel, and Western forces, Iran has acknowledged the urgent need to counterbalance aerial disadvantages.

However, defence analysts have warned that purchasing the jets is only one step. Iran will face challenges in pilot training, base readiness, and weapons integration. Additionally, the PL-15 missile system, though advanced, will require overhauls in radar infrastructure and data link systems to function effectively within Iran’s existing defence network.

China, for its part, has not publicly confirmed the sale but has consistently indicated readiness to deepen strategic ties with Tehran under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI). The potential J-10C sale would also represent a strategic win for Beijing, increasing its arms sales footprint in the Middle East and reducing Iran’s dependency on Russian military equipment.

It is also worth noting that such a sale could complicate regional dynamics. Israel, the United States, and Saudi Arabia may view the acquisition as a provocation or escalation, especially if Iran installs the jets near sensitive border regions or in contested airspaces like the Persian Gulf.

If finalised, this acquisition would mark a watershed moment for Iran’s air force, the first major upgrade in decades. It would also underline Tehran’s strategic pivot away from Moscow and a renewed effort to navigate sanctions and global isolation through alternate power alliances.

This decision could have wide-reaching implications, not just militarily but diplomatically. It could influence Iran’s future role in regional security dialogues, change the strategic calculus in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, and reshape China’s arms trade influence across volatile regions.

As negotiations progress, the world will watch closely how Tehran balances urgency, economic feasibility, and geopolitical risk in this critical chapter of its military rearmament.

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