China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will send its Bayi Aerobatic Team to the Singapore Airshow later this month, marking a significant return to the regional aviation showcase and a first-ever performance using the J-10C fighter jet, Chinese state media reported on Sunday. The announcement, made by the Chinese Defence Ministry on Saturday, said the team will participate in the 10th edition of the airshow, scheduled from late January to early February, with flight demonstrations aimed at showcasing China’s latest aviation capabilities.
The military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) said the Bayi team has been training at an airfield in North China, with footage showing both J-10C and J-10S aircraft involved in preparation. The report noted that the team previously attended the Singapore Airshow in 2020, but that was before the switch to the J-10C in 2023. With the J-10C now the mainstay of the team’s fleet, the upcoming event will be the first time the aircraft is displayed in flight at the Singapore Airshow.
In a post on Weibo, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the manufacturer of the J-10 series, confirmed the participation, adding to the growing public profile of the aircraft as China seeks to position its fighter jets on the global market. The Bayi team’s return also comes with fresh aerobatic maneuvers, including a six-aircraft formation barrel roll, a five-aircraft fly-past, and a solo axis rotation performed by Aircraft No.6. Zhang Chunlei, a member of the team, told CCTV these moves will debut at the Singapore Airshow.
The mission will also include a notable logistical feat: unlike the 2020 transit that involved multiple stopovers, the Bayi team will fly directly to Singapore using in-flight refuelling, the pilot told CCTV. The move is seen as a demonstration of long-range operational capability and is likely to be interpreted as a sign of increasing combat readiness for the PLA Air Force. Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the new maneuvers and in-flight refuelling underline the advanced capabilities of the J-10C and reflect a higher state of preparedness.
Experts also believe the airshow performance could have a strategic purpose beyond display. By showcasing the J-10C on an international stage, China may be aiming to attract more foreign procurement interest in the fighter. The J-10C has gained attention abroad after China’s official media reported that the export variant, the J-10CE, achieved success in real combat in May 2025, allegedly downing multiple hostile aircraft without suffering losses. Those reports have fed speculation that several countries have been in talks with China about purchasing the aircraft.
When asked in July 2025 about potential procurement discussions, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said China maintains a “prudent and responsible attitude toward military product exports,” and is ready to share its equipment developments with friendly countries to support regional and global peace and stability. The upcoming Singapore Airshow will likely offer a fresh opportunity for Beijing to promote that message, while also testing the international appetite for its growing portfolio of military aviation technology.
