SinoSoldier
Colonel
The AKF-98A is now spotted on the J-16. Also note the 1000 kg PGM.
China Flanker Thread III (land based, exclude J-15)
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
The way my underinformed a$$ sees the newly discovered production rates of certain warplanes for the PLAAF and PLANAF, generally it does provide a generally good insight on how the PLAAF and PLAN lineups would look like, going into the coming decade or two at least, IMO.
Do note that only offensive-purpose warplanes (i.e. fighters and bombers) for the PLA are included. Non-offensive-purpose warplanes (i.e. AWACS, ELINT, reconnaisance, tankers, transport aircrafts etc) for the PLA would not be included.
1. The J-20s and J-16s (alongside Su-35s) would become the mainstay and major fighting arm of the PLA for the coming decades.
2. The J-11s would be gradually phased out and replaced by the J-20s (at least from older units), alongside those imported Su-27s and older Su-30s.
3. The J-10s would remain as the mainstay and support fighting arm of the PLA for the coming decades.
4. The J-15s would remain as the mainstay of the PLAN until the J-35s has been introduced into mass production, of which the J-15s would be gradually supplemented and then replaced by the J-35s.
5. The JH-7s would be gradually phased out and replaced by the J-16s.
6. The H-6 would remain in service with the PLAAF for considerable periods of time until the H-20s have been introduced into mass production, of which the H-6s would be gradually supplemented and then replaced by the H-20s.
However, there are two warplane models which I am still unclear with.
7. One would be the J-31, which is basically the land-based version of the J-35 multirole fighter. Would the J-31s be introduced to PLAAF service to serve alongside the J-20s as China's 2nd land-based 5th generation fighter, or would it only be meant for export? Should the earlier option be chosen, the J-31s could be the ones that would be gradually supplement and then replace J-10s (at least from older units).
8. Two would be the JH-XX, which is an even less well-known fighter-bomber project compared to the H-20. No confirmation exists on whether the JH-XX project is even real at this point. However, if the project does exist and become a viable fighting component for the PLA, then the JH-XXs would be a complementary component to the H-20s.
Do note that only offensive-purpose warplanes (i.e. fighters and bombers) for the PLA are included. Non-offensive-purpose warplanes (i.e. AWACS, ELINT, reconnaisance, tankers, transport aircrafts etc) for the PLA would not be included.
1. The J-20s and J-16s (alongside Su-35s) would become the mainstay and major fighting arm of the PLA for the coming decades.
2. The J-11s would be gradually phased out and replaced by the J-20s (at least from older units), alongside those imported Su-27s and older Su-30s.
3. The J-10s would remain as the mainstay and support fighting arm of the PLA for the coming decades.
4. The J-15s would remain as the mainstay of the PLAN until the J-35s has been introduced into mass production, of which the J-15s would be gradually supplemented and then replaced by the J-35s.
5. The JH-7s would be gradually phased out and replaced by the J-16s.
6. The H-6 would remain in service with the PLAAF for considerable periods of time until the H-20s have been introduced into mass production, of which the H-6s would be gradually supplemented and then replaced by the H-20s.
However, there are two warplane models which I am still unclear with.
7. One would be the J-31, which is basically the land-based version of the J-35 multirole fighter. Would the J-31s be introduced to PLAAF service to serve alongside the J-20s as China's 2nd land-based 5th generation fighter, or would it only be meant for export? Should the earlier option be chosen, the J-31s could be the ones that would be gradually supplement and then replace J-10s (at least from older units).
8. Two would be the JH-XX, which is an even less well-known fighter-bomber project compared to the H-20. No confirmation exists on whether the JH-XX project is even real at this point. However, if the project does exist and become a viable fighting component for the PLA, then the JH-XXs would be a complementary component to the H-20s.
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J-11B/BH is undertaken MLU to make J-11BG/BHG in the same the standard as J-16
not neccessary, just like USN decide not to phase out super hornet, J-15 will remain on the flight deck even J-35 is out, as there are always some needs to carry out large munitions and do some dirty works
this is a big big unknow, not only because no one know what H-20 is like and when it will debut to public, but also, same reason as the B-52, B-1B and those 4th gen fighters, there are always some needs to carry out large munitions under the wings
honest speaking, no one actually knows, many people have their own theories, but until the day PLA does acquaire them, no one can tell
but there was a recent rumor about Saudi is looking for a 5th gen fighter from China, that could be FC-31
S/N 0205, this is certainly interesting
I believe J31's replacing J10's would make the most sense. Size wise they're a similar class of fighter.
If the JH-XX is actually real it would suit as a better replacement for the JH7 as eventually the PLA should phase out all 4th-gen fighters including the J16.