Ehang is really going all out to secure orders in the Middle Eastern market
Chinese Aviation Industry
- Thread starter FriedRiceNSpice
- Start date
Ehang is really going all out to secure orders in the Middle Eastern market
It’s worth noting that “cooperation” might not mean “purchase” at all. There are plenty of countries developing their own ”advanced” jets right now, and also plenty of countries that would like to join an advanced jet project.
If the global hegemon is stuck on F-35 and F-15 for quite some time, and you are witnessing great success by Turkey doing just this, then I think countries might be tempted to do their own programs (similar to Turkey or Korea) in collaboration with others, especially if they can get everything they need from China as part of the GSI, BRICS or SCO.
But what aviation design and production capabilities does Egypt have to make their own aircraft? China would likely be the major party, with Egypt assembling locally.
I agree though, unless a contract agreement and even after then the US will be putting pressure on Egypt to cancel it. And the US has a lot of leverage with Egypt particularly financially.
China is already helping Egypt with design and production capacity for satellites, this is a successful model that can apply to aircraft also. Egypt, or a consortium, would be the main party and would localize as much as they can, and increase that localization rate over time. I think they would only get from China what they can’t make themselves (after new factories are set up), and what they can’t get with their huge US military aid money.
Funnily enough I was thinking this is a great way to de-americanise without as much heat from Washington, because building an indigenous fighter is a great source of national pride, something the US would find hard to oppose, and besides Egypt can still buy lots of US missiles and bombs because any fighter they build could use Pakistans Link 17 which allows this.
The US might allow this, while they might not allow a J-35 purchase for example.
Egypt did try building its own fighter aircraft back when Nasser was President. This was done with German engineering help.
Designed by Willy Messerschmitt. Yes that guy. The designer of the Bf-109.
It went ok until the Israelis and German government pressured the German engineers out and they ran out of funding. So the whole thing was cancelled.
So it is not like there is no precedent in them trying to make their own aircraft.
Designed by Willy Messerschmitt. Yes that guy. The designer of the Bf-109.
It went ok until the Israelis and German government pressured the German engineers out and they ran out of funding. So the whole thing was cancelled.
So it is not like there is no precedent in them trying to make their own aircraft.
Last edited:
and how is this relevant to claims Egypt would receive ToT for the J-10C & J-31 to build them locally?
"If" Egypt has signed on for an advanced jet - we should also not preclude the possibility of them buying the JF17C either. Most of what Egypt has been buying are twin engine jets recently. It is obvious they have still large numbers of single engine jets to replace, in addition to organic growth to adopt a stealth platform.
Given that Egypt has operated J7s and K8s, amongst other platforms, i can still see them wanting diversity away from the restricted supplies from USA.
I also, would not preclude this being a total "smoke and mirror" routine to try and "encourage" the USA to give them the platforms that they want from the USA but are being denied as of now.
Given the media 'claimed' ( i dont know if this is true or not ) ancestry of the Lavi to the J10 programme, it will be ironic that Israel faces the possibility of having to "face" off on J10CE's !!!!!!
Given that Egypt has operated J7s and K8s, amongst other platforms, i can still see them wanting diversity away from the restricted supplies from USA.
I also, would not preclude this being a total "smoke and mirror" routine to try and "encourage" the USA to give them the platforms that they want from the USA but are being denied as of now.
Given the media 'claimed' ( i dont know if this is true or not ) ancestry of the Lavi to the J10 programme, it will be ironic that Israel faces the possibility of having to "face" off on J10CE's !!!!!!
Things are way too early. An actual formal deal would take years to actually complete, if at all. I think what has happened is that Egypt has expressed interest in Chinese aircraft and may possibly evaluate it in the near future after signing an agreement with AVIC.