China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) fielded its 8 modern J-16 multirole fighter jets against 6 Rafale jets of France in a tabletop war game simulation. On December 22, 2025, this exercise took place in Shuchang, Henan province and state media CCTV made its footage public, which is not common because China usually conducts such military simulations secretly. This exercise is part of modernizing China’s military training and showing preparedness against enemy threats.
Rafale becomes a threat in front of J-16
According to the Eurasian Times report, this year war gaming is being promoted on a large scale throughout the PLA and People’s Armed Police Force and this is the first year when pilot war gaming is taking place on such a large scale. 20 different units took part in this exercise. On one side of the board, 8 J-16 were shown as ‘Task Force’, while on the other side 6 Rafale were shown as ‘Threat’. The results of the simulation were not made public.
According to Eurasian Times, this move comes after the India-Pakistan conflict of May 2025, where Pakistan’s Chinese J-10C jets fought with Rafale, then Pakistan claimed that J-10C shot down several Rafales, but India rejected this. Apart from this, there is constant tension on the India-China border.
India currently has 36 Rafales, there is an order for 26 Rafale-Marines for the Navy and a proposal has been made to buy 114 more Rafales in September 2025. In such a situation, China’s choice of Rafale for simulation is being considered as a signal to counter India’s most advanced western fighter. In reports like South China Morning Post and Indian Defense Research Wing, it has also been described as a part of PLA’s preparation and signaling.
How special is China’s J-16 fighter jet?
The J-16 is China’s indigenous 4.5 generation heavy twin-engine multirole strike fighter, which is similar to the Russian Su-30 but completely upgraded with Chinese technology. It is strong in long-range operations, large weapon load and networked warfare.
- Radar and Sensors: Indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is installed, which can detect fighter size targets at a distance of 150-200 kilometers. Can track and engage 15-20 targets simultaneously.
- Passive Detection: The Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system can detect the enemy at a distance of 50-80 kilometers without turning on the radar.
- Payload: Due to payload up to 8 tons and long range, it is better in saturation attack, long patrolling and precision strike.
- Weapon: Can carry air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground weapons, anti-ship missiles like PL-12 and PL-15. Capable of air-to-air combat, ground attack, electronic warfare (EW) and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).
Apart from this, Helmet Mounted Display (HMD), J-20 inspired glass cockpit, radar absorbent material (RAM) and dark gray coating reduce radar signature, electronic countermeasures (ECM), missile approach warning system (MAWS) and chaff-flare dispenser. J-16 uses more carbon composite, due to which its weight is less. New datalink and improved EW system has been installed. The special variant J-16D is for electronic warfare, which supports fighters like J-20.
How better is J-16 than Rafale?
Rafale has more range and heavier payload, which is beneficial in long missions. With its canard-delta design, Rafale has better manoeuvrability, dogfighting and situational awareness. Rafale is combat proven, which has been used in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria. Whereas J-16 has been used for interception in South China Sea.
How much is the Chinese fighter jet J-16 worth?
The J-16 is manufactured only for the Chinese Air Force and is not exported, so the exact unit cost is not public. Chinese fighters are much cheaper than Western jets because they are produced domestically and are made at a lower cost. For comparison, the price of export version of J-10C of the same category is said to be around 40-60 million US dollars i.e. around Rs 350 to 530 crore.
According to Global Security and other defense sources, the estimated cost of heavy fighters like J-16 may also be in the same range, but there is no official figure.
