Chinese Fighter Jets Replace Russian Products: Which Countries Are Buying From China?

With the sharp decline in Russian fighter-jet exports over the past decade, China is now in a stronger position to fill the gap left by Moscow and expand into new markets. When examining Chinese fighter-jet exports, it is important to pay attention to the type of fighter sold and the time window. During the Cold War era and following the Sino-Soviet split, China became an alternative provider for anti-Western countries that also had weak relations with the Soviet Union.

In the past, China primarily exported lower-tier fighters, which were essentially downgraded versions of Soviet models, such as the Chengdu J-7, a copy of the MiG-21 Fishbed. But this situation is changing: fighters such as the J-10C Vigorous Dragon and the under-development fifth-generation J-35 now offer advanced options for countries seeking alternatives to Western jets.

Countries operating older Chinese fighters

Numerous countries, often constrained financially, still operate older Chinese fighters. These include the Shenyang F-5 (copy of the MiG-17), Shenyang J-6 (licensed version of the MiG-19), and Chengdu J-7 (licensed version of the MiG-21). All three types can be found in the North Korean air force. The F-5 is very old – its parent model (the MiG-17) entered service during the Korean War in 1952.

Current operators of the J-6 include Myanmar, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia. Many other countries have used it in the past. Regarding the J-7 (MiG-21), China continued export production until 2013, when the last units were delivered to Bangladesh. Today the aircraft can be found in many African countries including Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Namibia, as well as in Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

While not all of these countries currently buy Chinese fighters, many remain customers of Chinese-made aircraft. For years, China’s fighter export market focused mainly on African states. But now the situation is changing and more countries are looking to China as a source of advanced fighters. Models like the new J-35 might even surpass some Russian fighters in the eyes of certain buyers.

Pakistan as a special case

One must highlight Pakistan as a distinctive China arms partner because it has become a special case in Chinese fighter exports. Previously, Pakistan had been dependent on U.S.-made fighters and still uses the F-16 Fighting Falcon. But now it is turning toward Chinese fighters. Presently Pakistan is the only foreign customer for China’s Chengdu J-10 multi-role fighter. Pakistan operates about 20 J-10s and has ordered another 16. This fighter is considered the equivalent of the U.S. F-16 Falcon. Extensive reports claim that Israel in the late 1980s sold parts of its cancelled IAI Lavi design to China. The War Zone magazine argues that although there is strong evidence of technology transfer, the J-10 is a larger, heavier aircraft and therefore remains appreciably different.

Chinese fighter export catalogue

It is worth noting the cooperation between China and Pakistan in developing the affordable light multi-role fighter JF-17 Thunder (or FC-1 Xiaolong in China). While Pakistan produces much of the airframe, avionic systems and flight-control systems are supplied by China. This fighter has been purchased by Azerbaijan, Myanmar and Nigeria. Some reports suggest Pakistan may become the first export customer of the J-35, though Islamabad quickly denied those rumors.
Lower-tier Chinese fighter exports
Not all Chinese fighter exports are high-end. Many countries need aircraft that serve both as advanced trainers and light fighters. In this role the Hongdu JL-8 (also known as Nanchang JL-8 / Karakorum-8) comes into play, developed jointly by China and Pakistan. It serves a role similar to the Russian Yak-130, Italian Aermacchi MB-339, French Alpha Jet and Czech L-39 Albatros.

Buyers of this model include Angola, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Egypt, Ghana, Laos, Myanmar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Tanzania used it in the past. These countries typically do not employ Chinese fighters as their main frontline jets — for example Egypt and Venezuela still rely on U.S. (F-16) or Russian/Soviet (Su-27/Su-30 family) aircraft.

Current buyers or in-negotiation customers for Chinese frontline fighters

In sub-Saharan Africa, few countries operate frontline jets. Some like Angola use older Soviet fighters; South Africa has small numbers of Saab Gripen jets, though poorly maintained and with high attrition. For many of these states, lightweight fighters are sufficient to deal with low-level insurgencies in the absence of full air-defence systems. Meanwhile, UAE and Zambia have bought the Chinese advanced/light trainer Hongdu JL-10.
High-tier Chinese fighter exports
At present China’s high-end indigenous fighters include the J-10, J-20 Mighty Dragon and J-35. Similar to the U.S. F-35, the Shenyang J-35 is believed to be developed for export and China is working on a carrier-based variant for its own aircraft carriers under construction. It is also possible China’s own air force will purchase the J-35 as a cheaper alternative to the J-20. Reports from July 2025 indicate the J-35 is now in mass production, although it remains unclear whether Shenyang has received any export orders. Regardless, no official export contracts have yet been confirmed. As for the J-20, China has placed an export ban, analogously to the U.S. export ban on the F-22 Raptor.

As noted earlier, Pakistan remains the only export customer for the J-10, though unconfirmed reports suggest Egypt may have ordered it as well. Egypt, under U.S. CAATSA pressure, cancelled orders for Russian Flankers and the U.S. refused to sell advanced F-35s to Cairo, despite earlier feasibility talks during President Trump’s first term. Similarly, UAE, after the U.S. withdrew from the F-35 sale deal, has reportedly considered Chinese fighters.