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

[AndrewS]

It is of course true that the J-20 is the best of the best currently in service, never to be exported (or at least not before the sixth generation fighters enter service in large numbers) but the J-35 is no junk at all, it is a very formidable asset that exporting it that early is very unexpected. For example I don't see how the J-35 can't go toe to toe with the F-35 over mainland airspace, integrated with ground based AD. I will be interested to see if any will be exported with the WS-19, because each one that would be exported would deprive the PLA of fielding a native variant.

If we're talking about the situation in 3 year's time when the first Chinese J-35s are exported, I frankly don't expect any American F-35s to ever reach mainland China.

The predominant situation would be (700?) J-20s conducting long-range offensive air missions against all the opposing airbases in the 1st Island China.

 

[dingyibvs]

To be honest if it truly is the export variant this is rather shocking news to me, I expected that the J-35 wouldn't be exported until after 2040. I expected it to go like the J-10 where the plane wasn't exported until 18 years after it was commissioned.

When the J-35A was first confirmed there was a debate on this forum re: the purpose. One camp (which I was in, BTW) argued that J-20 can do everything better and is already in high volume production so if the PLAAF wanted more numbers then they should just further increase the J-20 production line. Therefore, the reasoning goes that if the J-35A is to be inducted then there's a possibility that it would be because it's subsidized by export orders.

The proof, I argued then, would be whether early export orders would be present. IMO if it's really true that there are export variants manufactured this early then it would indeed strongly suggest that subsidies by exports is what tipped the scale for J-35A for the PLAAF.

 

[AndrewS]

It is of course true that the J-20 is the best of the best currently in service, never to be exported (or at least not before the sixth generation fighters enter service in large numbers) but the J-35 is no junk at all, it is a very formidable asset that exporting it that early is very unexpected. For example I don't see how the J-35 can't go toe to toe with the F-35 over mainland airspace, integrated with ground based AD. I will be interested to see if any will be exported with the WS-19, because each one that would be exported would deprive the PLA of fielding a native variant.

You're assuming that every J-35 export is a loss for the Chinese Air Force.

But Shenyang's new facilities indicate ample spare space to expand J-35 production to any realistic level.

---

Production of J-20 is 100-120 annually now.
Plus J-35 production is ramping up, I think to a minimum of 40 annually. Potentially up to 80 annually?

I think they are targeting total production of 160-200 Chinese stealth fighters per year

---

The Rafale only exports 24 per year and the Typhoon 15 per year.

So if China exports 24 J-35 per year, that would be less than 15% of total Chinese stealth fighter production.
Plus Shenyang should be able to ramp production to accommodate exports anyway

 

[RedGreekRevolt]

You're assuming that every J-35 export is a loss for the Chinese Air Force.

But Shenyang's new facilities indicate ample spare space to expand J-35 production to any realistic level.

---

Production of J-20 is 100-120 annually now.
Plus the J-35 production is ramping up, I think to a minimum of 40 annually. Potentially up to 80 annually?

I think they are targeting a total of 160-200 Chinese stealth fighters per year

---

The Rafale only exports 24 per year and the Typhoon 15 per year.

So if China exports 24 J-35 per year, that should be less than 15% of total Chinese stealth fighter production. Plus Shenyang should be able to ramp production to accommodate exports anyway

Comparing France to China is like comparing cherries to watermelons. I don't exactly think that every J-35 export is a loss to China, but every export with the WS-19 engine does, fundamentally deprive the army from having a domestic variant of the aircraft.

 

[AndrewS]

[/QUOTE]

Comparing France to China is like comparing cherries to watermelons. I don't exactly think that every J-35 export is a loss to China, but every export with the WS-19 engine does, fundamentally deprive the army from having a domestic variant of the aircraft.

2-3 years should be enough to expand WS-19 production for additional export orders

 

[defenceman]

Hi,
when we all about downgraded J35 for export I don’t understand what will china downgrade in this fighter ? We have to keep in mind who is getting this J35 export variant & if this J35 is having a one on one against F35 in that case what will happen China doesn’t want its technology to be downgraded and loose against F35 and loosing over all world market for further export to other countries so I’m sure as most of the members mentioned here china already have a J20 probably they will not downgrade J35 one of the export variant available outside USA jurisdiction,
thank you

 

[Deino]

Hi,
when we all about downgraded J35 for export I don’t understand what will china downgrade in this fighter ? We have to keep in mind who is getting this J35 export variant & if this J35 is having a one on one against F35 in that case what will happen China doesn’t want its technology to be downgraded and loose against F35 and loosing over all world market for further export to other countries so I’m sure as most of the members mentioned here china already have a J20 probably they will not downgrade J35 one of the export variant available outside USA jurisdiction,
thank you

For example the „older“ WS-21 instead of the more capable WS-19 to start with …

 

[AndrewS]

When the J-35A was first confirmed there was a debate on this forum re: the purpose. One camp (which I was in, BTW) argued that J-20 can do everything better and is already in high volume production so if the PLAAF wanted more numbers then they should just further increase the J-20 production line. Therefore, the reasoning goes that if the J-35A is to be inducted then there's a possibility that it would be because it's subsidized by export orders.

The proof, I argued then, would be whether early export orders would be present. IMO if it's really true that there are export variants manufactured this early then it would indeed strongly suggest that subsidies by exports is what tipped the scale for J-35A for the PLAAF.

I think it's rarely one single reason, and usually a combination of reasons,

1. Exports is one reason
2. Having 2 companies producing fighter jets promotes competition and improvements
3. Politics
4. Redundancy - 2 locations/designs

 

[AndrewS]

Hi,
when we all about downgraded J35 for export I don’t understand what will china downgrade in this fighter ? We have to keep in mind who is getting this J35 export variant & if this J35 is having a one on one against F35 in that case what will happen China doesn’t want its technology to be downgraded and loose against F35 and loosing over all world market for further export to other countries so I’m sure as most of the members mentioned here china already have a J20 probably they will not downgrade J35 one of the export variant available outside USA jurisdiction,
thank you

Apparently the Naval J-31 version has a better radar than the Air Force J-35, for example.

 

[Deino]

Apparently the Naval J-31 version has a better radar than the Air Force J-35, for example.

Care to explain where this - in fact quite bolt - claim is from?