Uzbekistan has for the first time showcased six Chinese J-10CE fighters at the Karshi-Khanabad airbase. The appearance of these aircraft is particularly notable given Tashkent's previous plans to update its combat aviation fleet with Russian Su-30SMs, while its fighter aviation core has long consisted of Soviet MiG-29s and Su-27s.

Footage of the Chinese aircraft was shown by the state TV channel O‘zbekiston 24 during the celebration of Uzbekistan's 35th independence anniversary on August 28, 2026. The footage showed aircraft performing flights and landings at the strategic K2 facility in Kashkadarya, including a J-10CE with tail number 1014.

Just a few years ago, the scenario for updating the Uzbekistan Air Force looked different. Tashkent showed interest in the Russian Su-30SM, which was considered a more modern replacement for aging Soviet-made fighters. In 2019, plans were reported for the purchase of Su-30SMs using a Russian export credit, but confirmed deliveries of these aircraft to Uzbekistan never materialized.

The first reports of a possible J-10CE purchase appeared long before the current display. In July 2026, Uzbek media wrote about the possible transfer of four more aircraft to the country, but there was no official confirmation at the time. Earlier photographs of the aircraft with covered identification markings also did not allow for unambiguous proof of their belonging to Uzbekistan.