According to an analysis by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the recent news of a Chinese J-10 fighter jet allegedly downing a French-made Rafale during the India-Pakistan conflict has significantly raised China's profile in the global arms market. Chinese arms offer developing countries an alternative free from Western political conditions, due to price advantages and ongoing military technological advancements.

The article highlights this incident as a major milestone for China's military industry. Commentator Zhou Bo noted, 'This is the first round of confrontation between Chinese and Western weapon systems.' Expert Yi Wushuang from Tsinghua University emphasized that this 'unintentional practical demonstration' of the J-10 is a testament to China's decades-long modernization efforts.

Although China's share of the international arms market is only 5.9%, significantly less than the United States, the bulk of its arms exports are directed toward Pakistan, which relies heavily on Chinese military equipment. Experts suggest that the cohesive procurement of arms from a single supplier has been key to Pakistan's excellent performance in recent aerial encounters.

Furthermore, the article mentions that China has achieved significant self-sufficiency in arms production and is no longer reliant on imported systems. Reportedly, China is concurrently developing two next-generation fighter jets. Despite facing market entry barriers, there still remain numerous opportunities for Chinese arms in regions such as Africa and Latin America.