<h1>Planned purchase of 20 Chinese J-10CE fighters for $2.2B raises long-term financing, procurement transparency, and export-risk issues</h1> A government of a South Asian state plans to procure 20 Chinese-made J-10CE combat aircraft for an aggregate estimated cost of USD 2.2 billion, inclusive of training, maintenance and ancillary charges, with deliveries slated for 2026-2027 and payments reportedly spread over ten fiscal years to 2036. The procurement remains unannounced and at an evaluation stage per reviewed government documents. Legal considerations include long-term payment and financing obligations, contract scope for lifecycle support, import duties/insurance/compliance costs factored into the price, export-control and geopolitical risk assessments, and procurement approval and transparency requirements under applicable public- procurement law.