PLAAF might be taking it as a normal upgrade but i disagree on the notion that J-10 is a low end for them because J-10 is their first true 4th generation fighter jet which they need in numbers to replace all the third generation ( 2nd interms of chinese generation) and considering the fact that opposition has advance 4th generation jets ( India Taiwan both ). Same is the case for PAF, as you mentioned they need FC-20 to be on par or even superior to both the MKI and Rafale, since we lack numbers. It makes absolute sense for PAF to wait and see how the planned upgrades turn out to be on FC-20 because most of them will also find their way to JF-17 latter block.
That's not correct, PLAAF has inducted Su 30 MKKs and the first J11Bs which are already 4th to 4.5 gen fighters (multi role capable, multi mode radars, modern avionics...). So they already have similar gen fighters in credible numbers and are inducting more of them to the higher end. J10B for them is just a low end multi role fighter, to complement the Flankers in a cost-effective way, similar to the F15/F16 combo for US forces.
At this point, PAF's funding is limited to paying off loans for the JF-17's, ZDK-03's and other hardware..
There is simply no space for funding a new fighter..or a new radar.
That's what I thought, so PAF is dependent on what upgrades China develops for the J10 now and has to take them, or remain with JF 17 and F16 to add J10C later.
The increase in payload and internal space in the J-10 platform over the JF-17 offers a lot more room for heavy ECM systems along with a sizeable A2A and A2G payload.. coupled with the ability to carry it far.
Agreed for the ECM systems, but not for the rest, because the J10 has actually some limitations that are similar to JF17s, especially in the deep strike role!
It has only 3 x heavy / wet stations, while the centerline station is size limited too. That means if PAF wants to integrate Raad, it either carries 1 on the centerline (if possible) with 2 fuel tanks, or the smaller centerline tank and 2 x at the inner wingstations (if the hardpoint limits makes this suitable).
JF 17 B1 will have the same refueling probe and most likely carries Raad on the centerline with 2 x fuel tanks as well. So it offers the same deep strike capability with Raad as J10B would and by the fact that Raad offers the advantage to launch in Pakistani airspace to hit target in India, a better ECM is not needed.
Another point is A2A, J10B has 3 x wingstations, just like JF 17! So either they
both carry:
2 x WVR missiles
2 x BVR missiles
2 x fuel tanks
(centerline is free)
or
2 x WVR missiles
4 x BVR missiles
1 x fuel tanks on the centerline
So again, both offer the same weapon config and since the number of fuel tanks + IFR is the same it depends on which fighter has offers the higher range on internal fuel.
The J10 in general is the better fighter, but mainly because of the design and some features like bigger radar, IRST, (currently) IFR and in CAS the dedicated pod stations. But with the Block 2 upgrade of JF 17, it gets much closer to J10A and from what we know about B also to this version.