Are you being sarcastic or not? I genuinely can't tell.
Chinese Engine Development
- Thread starter jackbh
- Start date
Well, I don't think why there would be a problem with supplying the Turks with WS15. It's not a vital force-multiplier component, nor is it a component that is the key to victory. I think datalinks, radars, sensors, missile rockets engines are much more vital and shouldn't be prevented from export. But engines isn't.
In fact, I would think China would be much more willing to sell engines than Turkey is willing to buy.
China needs the WS-15 to equip its domestic fleet 1st, also Turkey isn't exactly a trusted ally like Pakistan is, so I don't see WS-15 being available to them without big concessions from the Turkish side. WS-10 on the other hand would probably be available since at that point it's no longer in demand among PLAAF.
This is top tier tech, likely the second best turbofan in existence behind the F135 once it is released. If not then very closely following F119. China won't let go of such tech unless there are significant concessions involved. What can Turkey give? Nothing.
True, but it is NOT a key-to-victory (制胜关键) tech. AND engines like WS15 would be impossible (or totally not cost-effective) to copy. Selling engine will give WS15 a much higher production rate. Not that China would need to do this. But it would be nice for the Chinese Aerospace Engine industry for getting larger revenue.
It's kinda like how even-though Boeing and Airbus are in direct competition, each representing a large volume of high-end (high profit) trade for two competing economic entities (EU and US), the US engine industry still strive to provide Airbus with it's best engines. If the US only think about Boeing sales, they could simply cut off (or limit) Engine supply to Airbus and gotten rid of this powerful competitor. But the more engine the US sells, the better their tech gets, and the more money they have to invest in improving their techs.
Thinking like an American is counter-productive to China's strategic goals. China has very very different strategic vision than the US.
The US want to keep themselves at the top of the world, as the master of the world. That's why they would rather sacrifice some portion of market share and revenues (in high tech key components supply to China) in order to suppress the overall volume of the relevant Chinese industry.
China has very very different vision. China is aiming to fill up more and more of the higher tech component and product market of the world as possible. Providing WS-15 to Turkey does NOT hurt the strategic goal of China, instead it actually makes key Turkish product reliant upon main Chinese components.
In fact, I would say that Turkey will be a lot less willing to buy WS-15 (as opposed to a domestic alternative) than China is willing to sell.
Of course, realistically speaking, Pakistan would get their hands on WS-15 long before Turkey gets them, and before that, PLA's own need will have priority over any foreign demand for the product. I am just pointing out that on the specific topic of providing WS-15 to Turkey, I don't see why not.
I'm not particularly scared of the Turks copying it, but what happens it they get chummy with the Americans?
I believe this is the reason why J-20 is (wisely) not exported. Too much high-end tech that China does not want to give away and disseminate.
I would be in favor of exporting a variant of the WS-10, but not WS-15.
Please don't derail the thread with B.S. Some of us are here for real news.
Well, from a timing/maturity point of view, sure. I don't think WS-15 will get the green lights be offered to foreign markets in time for Turkey's TFX. I am just saying that in principle, I don't see why WS-15 shouldn't be offered to Turkey for whatever fighter jet programs they are working on, if they are interested and if WS-15 is cleared for export.