If it is an air superiority mission, J 10 can mount up to 8 air-to-air missiles, plus an auxiliary fuel tank:
Two melee bombs (PL-8 or PL-9) outside the wing.
The middle of the wing adopts a composite pylon, which can mount four active medium-range interceptor missiles (PL- 12).
Two active medium-range missiles (PL- 12) are installed on the pylon inside the wing.
The auxiliary oil tank is installed on the central axis of the fuselage.
The other four light pylons on the fuselage do not hang anything.
In the case of long-range air superiority, the number of J 10 mounted missiles is reduced to four, in exchange for adding two auxiliary fuel tanks:
Two melee bombs (PL-8 or PL-9) outside the wing.
Two active medium-range missiles (PL- 12) are installed on the pylon in the middle of the wing. (Because the auxiliary fuel tank takes up space, the composite hanger cannot be used. )
Two auxiliary fuel tanks are installed on the pylon in the wing.
The auxiliary oil tank is installed on the central axis of the fuselage.
The other four light pylons on the fuselage do not hang anything.
In terms of air-to-air mounting, the hanger design of J 10A is a bit unreasonable at present. The four pylons in the belly are separated by landing gear, so there is not enough space to mount air-to-air missiles, and only pods or 250kg bombs can be mounted. Not in air combat.
Of course, it is not ruled out that there will be small air-to-air missiles (like Mika of France) that can be mounted on the belly in the future.
However, for the pylon under the wing, if the auxiliary fuel tank is installed, the composite pylon cannot be used because of the limited space. So once the long-range air combat needs three auxiliary fuel tanks, the number of mounted missiles will be greatly reduced. Of course, it is not ruled out that there will be well-designed pylons in the future, so that the space can meet the situation of mounting six air-to-air missiles.
If it is a ground attack, J 10 can mount more things, such as: 2 melee eggs+10 250kg bombs +3 auxiliary fuel tanks. Or 2 melee missiles +2 navigation/indicating pods+14 250kg bombs +2 auxiliary fuel tanks. Wait a minute.