Chinese firms that manufacture fighter jets saw their sales rise after gaining prominence during last year’s India-Pakistan's conflict, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.
The Chengdu-based company, China’s AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Co., said its revenue climbed to 75.4 billion yuan ($11 billion) in 2025, marking a 15.8 percent increase from the previous year, while profits rose 6.5 percent to 3.4 billion yuan, both the highest in its history.
The momentum carried into 2026, with first-quarter sales surging nearly 80 percent year-on-year.
Analysts link the strong performance to heightened international visibility following the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, where Pakistan credited Chinese-built J-10 fighter jet and jointly produced JF-17 Thunder aircraft with playing a key role in aerial engagements.
Islamabad said multiple Indian aircraft were downed, including French-made Rafael advanced jets, while New Delhi claimed it also inflicted damage to Pakistani aircraft, which Islamabad denies.
The conflict marked a rare real-world test of modern Chinese military hardware, drawing attention from several developing countries seeking cost-effective alternatives to Western systems.
Nations such as Indonesia, Iraq and Bangladesh have since shown interest in acquiring Chinese-made fighter jets, particularly the JF-17.
AVIC Chengdu attributed part of its financial growth to a restructuring that consolidated its core aircraft manufacturing assets, boosting operational efficiency. The company is also expanding production capacity in Chengdu to meet rising demand, including for advanced platforms like the fifth-generation J-20 fighter jet.
Meanwhile, AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Co., which produces the J-35 stealth fighter, also reported increased revenues and is preparing to ramp up output at a new facility.
Both companies remain under US sanctions, but industry observers say geopolitical tensions and shifting defence priorities are accelerating demand for Chinese military exports, particularly across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
