Chinese-made Pakistani jet downs Indian aircraft

Chinese-made fighter jets operated by Pakistan were responsible for shooting down at least two Indian warplanes, a battlefield achievement that marks a breakthrough for Beijing’s technology.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told parliament on Wednesday evening that Chinese J-10Cs were used to shoot down Indian jets, in what has been described as one of the longest dogfights in history.

According to Reuters, two US officials confirmed that Pakistan used the Chinese jets to fire air-to-air missiles that brought down at least two Indian aircraft. One US official said at least one of the planes was a French-made Rafale fighter jet.

On Wednesday, a French official told CNN that an Indian-operated French Rafale jet had been downed by the Pakistani air force.

India has denied or refused to comment on the downing of its jets, specifically the Rafale.

The current clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours marks the first time advanced Chinese weapons systems are going up against those of western powers. It is going to have deep repercussions for each country’s arms industry and global standing.