You are missing the point. I am quite surprised why People consider JF-17 and J-10 as equal ?
Similarly JF-17 != F-16 as well.
Reason ? Class, Light weight.
Engine thrust, Output.
Size limitations, Payload limitation, Hp limitations, And hence, Heavy avionics (Strong radars) canno be installed on Light Thunders.
This is where the perfect Answer to Rafale, That is J-10CE/P comes in, Better Engine, Higher output, Very strong radar and the ability to carry Much better AAMs.
Plus, We aren’t going for too many J-10s, Most probably we will get in limited numbers, What’s wrong with that ? OTOH we will go as plan on Thunders, To increase fleet quantity and quality, To have a very strong BVR Air Force.