The primary reason we may not see meaningful MLUs for older WS-10 and AL-31 equipped J-20 is simply that by the time they’re due for them the stealth fighter fleet might be so big that they’ll mostly be assigned as backline duties.
J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
- Start date
I doubt it IMO, I think early J-20 MLU would come along in a few years since even the oldest J-20 is really only like 8 years old right now. From interviews with pilots, we know that J-20s have been continuously upgraded throughout the year, so we know there definitely is something going on under the hoods. As of right now we don't know if J-20 can be retrofitted with WS-15s, I would assume so considering it was designed with WS-15 in mind, and I think J-20A would still share many subsystems with the latest J-20 subvariant for economy of scale for components. IMO older J-20s getting reengined with WS-15 and upgraded to feature the latest GaN AESA from J-20A/latest batch of J-20 should still be an extremely capable aircraft even if it would be slightly worse in terms of stealth/range/kinetics due to older airframe.
Agree, would also like to add that upgrading can't exactly be done in parallel to constructing new assets, since it takes the same skilled technicians to disassemble + re-install + reassemble + test & debug. It would actually take up more assembly and test time since you have to do it twice.
If manpower is the limiting factor, upgrading won't help very much versus manufacturing new stuff. Makes more sense to just make more, especially when the lines are still running and cost isn't much of an issue (PLA have deep pockets).
manqiangrexue
Brigadier
Not necessarily. India is known for getting fleeced in military acquisition. The domestic desperation after the Rafale shootdowns will send India in search of a 5th gen upgrade over the Rafale, whether it be F-35IN or Su-50MKI. Public knowledge of Indian operational incompetence will make nations like Russia and the US very wary of putting high end tech in what is offered to India, with the US probably insistant on control codes to prevent them from actually being used and shot down by J-35AE. By offering this aircraft to Pakistan, it further panics India and makes Indian desperation even more public and obvious. This will greatly benefit the vendors allowing them to charge India higher prices and force India to accept greater limitations on what is delivered.
In short, it is always ideal to put your opponent either in a torpor or in a panicked frenzy when making critical decisions to either freeze his progress or maximize his chances and scope of his mistakes, guiding him away from a middle ideal where he cool-headedly moves ahead at a pace that is advantageous to him and determined by his needs/capabilities. If he is erring on being lazy and unmotivated, it is best to relax him to slow further; if he is too panicked and in a rush, best to increase the pressure, baiting him to rush further. After the failure of Op Sindoor, it should be obvious which state India is in.
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Cross-posted from the J-20 thread.
First ever J-20 + J-35A mixed flight formation spotted! One J-20 leading two J-35As. Posted by @rational314159 on Twitter.
First ever J-20 + J-35A mixed flight formation spotted! One J-20 leading two J-35As. Posted by @rational314159 on Twitter.
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