antiterror13
Brigadier
Thats true, but not sure how much you can upgrade from very very old F-16A/B series in 80s and at that time the Taiwanese F-16 is less advanced. I think J-10A with KJ-500 can compete with them
J-10 Thread IV
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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Thats true, but not sure how much you can upgrade from very very old F-16A/B series in 80s and at that time the Taiwanese F-16 is less advanced. I think J-10A with KJ-500 can compete with them
Read up on the ROCAF F-16V upgrade package, this is basic stuff.
We do have reports of at least some J-10As being upgraded with AESA radar. So that might not be an issue.
What could be an issue is the avionics, electronic warfare, and the helmet sight.
With the upgrade of the F-16V you basically get a similar radar range to that in the Su-35 but in a fighter with only 1 meter sq RCS. So I wouldn't underestimate these planes. The PRC still has the advantage of course. More high end platforms, long range missiles, better training. But the bog standard J-10A doesn't cut it anymore.
What could be an issue is the avionics, electronic warfare, and the helmet sight.
With the upgrade of the F-16V you basically get a similar radar range to that in the Su-35 but in a fighter with only 1 meter sq RCS. So I wouldn't underestimate these planes. The PRC still has the advantage of course. More high end platforms, long range missiles, better training. But the bog standard J-10A doesn't cut it anymore.
I think J-10A is still good for less intensive fronts in the west against India, freeing up high end platform vs US.
That's a fairly reasonable "self deployment" capability for a single tanker and 7x J-10s.
Even with YY-20 being not exactly the most optimal large tanker in the world (or even the most optimal potential tanker based on a Y-20 airframe!) the demonstration here of showing strategic mobility is fairly impressive (or increasing combat radius, or increasing endurance/time on station equivalent).
To be fair I think they aren't actually exercising them in a particularly vigorous manner; this should all be fairly standard training. They're just a bit more proactive about sharing footage relative to the PLAAF.
Self-deployement iirc refers to unassisted deployment?
Well, PAF has long held the reputation of being the most proficient AF in the Muslim world (both them and Indians being held in rather high regard).
Yes, in this case the "unassisted" is being able to deploy to the location of interest without needing to make any stops, and (I assume) having the equipment and personnel of August 1 in the single package (the J-10s and YY-20).
A small surprise, but here a Batch 00 J-10A - AFAIK these are the LRIP aircraft - with the construction number cn. J100005 has been seen.
Unfortunately I have no clue where or which unit it belongs to.
(Images via @太湖军I名 from Weibo)
Unfortunately I have no clue where or which unit it belongs to.
(Images via @太湖军I名 from Weibo)
1 meter sq RCS F-16 (F-16 flying with no weapons payload) is just wasting fuel and not a threat to anyone.