The ossicial Global Times on April 16, 2018 publicised that China's new J-10C fighter jets have been put into service improving the combat capabilities of the PLA Air Force. It described the J-10C as a third generation home-made fighter with multiple functions and equipped with an avionics system. It said it is equipped with multiple advanced armament and is effective in  land or sea combat.

A Hongkong military analyst Leung Kwok-leung said the J-10C is more streamlined than the J-10B to reduce drag and has stealth capabilities entirely different from existing stealth warplanes.