Beijing, March 28, 2026 (Agencies) — A Chinese J-10C fighter pilot has successfully countered a radar provocation from a foreign military aircraft, highlighting the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) growing combat readiness, according to a program aired by China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday.
During the encounter, Shi Luquan, a pilot from an aviation brigade under the PLA Air Force Central Theater Command, was illuminated by the radar of a foreign aircraft. Shi immediately activated his own radar in response, describing the incident as a deliberate provocation. “This is our own territory—why should I turn away?” he said in the broadcast.
Military analyst Fu Qianshao told CCTV News that the J-10C’s rapid countermeasure capability stems from its advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, aerodynamic improvements, and the pilot’s professional handling. Fu noted that the J-10C represents a major upgrade over earlier J-10 variants, with enhanced detection systems and electronic warfare capabilities that provide tactical advantages in aerial confrontations.
Radar illumination, Fu explained, is widely regarded as a serious military provocation, as it signals that an aircraft has been locked onto by targeting systems. The J-10C’s ability to detect and respond quickly, he said, reflects both technological progress and the PLA Air Force’s intensive training regimen.
CCTV concluded that the incident demonstrates not only the J-10C’s comprehensive upgrades in equipment and tactical design but also the high level of skill and readiness of Chinese pilots in responding to foreign military challenges near China’s airspace.