Hi if I may ask did Alan mention PAF specifically for not getting CE version as I’m not judging you but Chinese are pushing for j10 export to other countries also though those can be B version
So I’m little bit sceptical here about not getting CE version for PAF
Though there might be strings attached like block52 but it doesn’t matter much I believe so
Your input will be appreciated
Thank you
PS on a side note PAF might want themselves to wait for another couple of years to check the full potential of CE like HMDS & CFT etc with additional goodies
AVIC has generally been promoting the J-10A - i.e., FC-20 -- for export. That's what the PAF had planned on buying until about 2012 or so, after which it couldn't due to financial issues (it also walked away from the 18 Block-52+).
The J-10B and J-10C were not on AVIC's export portfolio until very recently, as in late 2018 and early 2019, which was when we saw alleged AVIC promotional material for the J-10CE.
However, the PLAAF apparently isn't ready to let the J-10CE go on sale yet, and we don't know why. It could be for any reason, e.g., perhaps they still want CAC to prioritize PLAAF production, it's still too sensitive for overseas use, who knows (I don't). But for what it's worth, in a recent interview retired Air Marshal Shahid Lateef said that AVIC (or specifically CAC) would think along business lines, but the PAF on operational lines, and that difference at times had caused a little friction. It can very well be the same situation between AVIC and the PLAAF.
But for all the PAF's 'controversial' decisions, I'd find it really,
really hard to believe they'd reject the upgraded variant (J-10CE) of a plane they themselves signed onto as their Plus-One (J-10A/FC-20) a decade ago if that aircraft was actually available for sale. If this was the case the PAF can buy them in small batches in cold cash (because it's in long-term production in China, they have that flexibility), and have them take up the strike role (which was originally intended with the FC-20).
It's either the J-10CE not being available, or the PAF taking on a much more ambitious long-term plan to indigenously develop and build their own fighter (Project Azm), or we're simply short on cash right now
... or a mix of the three.