J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread

[bsdnf]

The so-called first batch of J-35A delivered to Pakistan is completely wishful thinking of Pakistani media.

PAF's goal has always been self-defense and limited counterattack rather than large-scale air combat. The J-10CE record just proves that PAF has sufficient capabilities in fighter jets, they just need to buy some more J-10CE to improve fleet redundancy instead of buying J-35A which is way more unaffordable economically.

Before the IAF had the Meteor and fifth-gen fighters, the IAF does not have the ability to threaten the PAF in a "pure missile exchange" scenario. The difference between the J-10CE and the J-35A is only "can search&lock but cannot reach the launch distance" and "cannot search&lock and cannot reach the launch distance"

Buying the expensive one instead of the right one is precisely the problem with IAF, and PAF should take a lesson from it

 

[toast]

I've noticed many colleagues here are discussing production volume issues. I'd like to offer another perspective – specifically regarding the construction of Shenyang's new plant. Current satellite imagery reveals a massive integrated facility that has been completed, and may have even commenced operations.

 

[Tomboy]

View attachment 152827I've noticed many colleagues here are discussing production volume issues. I'd like to offer another perspective – specifically regarding the construction of Shenyang's new plant. Current satellite imagery reveals a massive integrated facility that has been completed, and may have even commenced operations.

We already know that Shenyang has a new plant ready, what we are discussing is continued production of J-16, even if the new plant there is still a cap to production and we are basically figuring out if its smarter to divert more resource for J-35s at the expense of J-16 production.

 

[ismellcopium]

View attachment 152827I've noticed many colleagues here are discussing production volume issues. I'd like to offer another perspective – specifically regarding the construction of Shenyang's new plant. Current satellite imagery reveals a massive integrated facility that has been completed, and may have even commenced operations.

The new SAC facility is coming along at a rapid pace:

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I'm not able to open the imagery, can anyone confirm what the status of the new SAC facility is? Airfield will need more time?

 

[siegecrossbow]

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New J-35 sighting. As I previously stated they are gonna get rolled out very quickly.

 

[leibowitz]

What is the likely production volume?

 

[lcloo]

I'm not able to open the imagery, can anyone confirm what the status of the new SAC facility is? Airfield will need more time?

It is a huge huge huge map, took me more than a minute to download.

Here is the relevent part of the map. Production hall, hangars and runway.

 

[qwerty3173]

What is the likely production volume?

Combining the 100-120 current production rate of j-20 and the heard goal of "producing 250 5th gen per year" the eventual goal after production ramp-up will be 120-150 aircraft per year. How many years of production is needed is another story.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

No, the numbers issue can be solved by CAC, not SAC, expanding production of the J-20. SAC would only be involved if the concern is that SAC doesn't have enough orders until the 6th gen is ready.

If the concern is just numbers, then having CAC expanding factory floor space and build additional production lines is more cost efficient than having SAC building a new production line for a new type that the PLAAF for many years have not been very enthused about. If the concern is SAC's lack of orders then you can have SAC build J-20s utilizing existing supply chain for J-20s, which would simplify logistics for a side project that's primarily a concern for just a few years until the 6th gen is ready for production.

Apparently everything that I've already explained totally flew over your head.

Also, I should remind that for the many years prior to today, i.e. before and during when the J-20 was the only 5th-gen fighter procured by the PLAAF - China (and the PLA as a whole, including the PLAAF) isn't as wealthy and sophisticated as it is today. The PLAAF had to make every penny count - And the Chengdu AC's J-20 entry (which beat Shenyang AC's entry) is the best thing they could get their hands on, especially when much of their fighter fleet is made of 3rd-gens and early/mid-4th-gens. What they faced were the F-22s, the upcoming F-35s, and many advanced 4th-gen fighters on the opposing side, with the "8x J-8IIs versus 1x F-22" dilemma being a notable footnote of that period.

They had no choice, even when the J-20 costs hefty amounts of the PLA treasuries to procure and operate - And that not everything requires the J-20 to do, and that not everything else can be done with the J-16 and other post-upgrade 4th-gens.

Yes, Shenyang AC joined the PLAAF 5th-gen game rather late. But that certainly doesn't equate to the PLAAF "not being enthusiastic with the J-35A". If the PLAAF really aren't happy with the J-35A, then they should forget about making such grand announcements about the J-35A and having the J-35As joining the flight performances during last year's Zhuhai Expo - Which clearly, they didn't.




This is in addition to the fact where both the J-20/A/S and J-35A have their respective roles and occupy their respective niches in the PLAAF, with one being overly focused in A2A and they other having a nice balance between A2A and A2G (with a slight tilt towards the former). These two are complimentary to each other, just like how the J-36 and J-XDS are meant to be in the future.

Let's just say that if China and the PLA had the money, resources and J-35A in production back then, then the PLAAF would've procured both the J-20 and J-35A simultaneously, instead of having to wait until today.

Last-but-not-least - Just as I've already clarified before, Shenyang AC is already well devoted to the scaled production runs of the J-35 and J-35A RIGHT NOW, with the J-35AE being a nice addition. They DON'T NEED a new yet non-native J-20 production line - That line can go to Guizhou AC, should Chengdu AC wish.

So how about sticking to the grounds of reality instead of being stubborn about ideas that don't pass the smell test?

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Combining the 100-120 current production rate of j-20 and the heard goal of "producing 250 5th gen per year" the eventual goal after production ramp-up will be 120-150 aircraft per year. How many years of production is needed is another story.

Not sure where you heard that "producing 250x 5th-gens per year" goal from, since that's kinda ridiculous.

However, sometime last year, Adorable Whale did mention of the expectation that China being able to match and even surpass (by a small/marginal degree) the F-35's annual production rate (~150-160) in the coming years.