J-20... The New Generation Fighter III
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
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Thought is that they're for export.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Any word on who the buyer is?
Interesting that they would still keep the line open, even for exports. I would have thought that the smart thing to do, if someone wanted J7s, was to say 'sorry, but the line is closed down, you can pay $xxm to restart it, or you can have some JF17s. And what do you know, if we take into account how much it would cost to re-open the line, the JF17 actually turns out to be cheaper. It's a bit more than what you wanted to pay, but it's still far cheaper than anything else you are likely to get. You do get a far better fighter, and we will even throw in some generous financing options.'
Keeping the J7 line open just takes potential business away from the JF17. With the J10, JF17, UAVs and possible also J20 small batch production, it really would not be a bad idea to close down or convert the J7 line into a JF17 or J10 line to help consolidate CAC's portfolio.
The few millions CAC would get from the odd foreign sales really doesn't seem worth it to keep the J7 production line going for. The only way this would make sense is if the PLAAF ordered them to keep the line ready. Either to produce replacement parts to help keep the PLAAF and PLANAF's existing fleets going until they get around to phasing the type out, or as a form of strategic reserve, whereby in the event of a full blown major war, more J7s can be built as replacement for combat losses or just reinforcements.
Not sure who buyer could be, sorry.
But there could be quite a few third world countries around the world who want just a simple 3rd generation fighter for simple, basic patrol without any need for BVR capability (that is to say JF-17 is beyond their requirements).
And I'm not sure if the J-7 production line was ever properly closed, or perhaps CAC have been producing them for so long they've figured out some way to very easily re open the line or have a simpler process to actually physically build the plane itself.
But there could be quite a few third world countries around the world who want just a simple 3rd generation fighter for simple, basic patrol without any need for BVR capability (that is to say JF-17 is beyond their requirements).
And I'm not sure if the J-7 production line was ever properly closed, or perhaps CAC have been producing them for so long they've figured out some way to very easily re open the line or have a simpler process to actually physically build the plane itself.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Well, the way I figure it is that countries are only buying J7s because it's the cheapest thing on the market, especially in terms of new builds.
Take that option away, and the JF17 suddenly becomes a great deal more attractive.
All other considerations that make the J7 attractive, like no strings attached, able to use commodities to part finance the deal or great financing options offered by China would still hold true for the JF17.
If someone really really doesn't want anything fancy, well they can choose not be buy any BVR missiles, and I am sure CAC could be persuaded to stick a J7's radar into the nose of the JF17 is the customer is that strapped for cash. But I really doubt it will come to that kind of penny pinching.
I am sure the air force generals and pilots would love to have JF17s to play with as opposed to J7s. By taking J7s off the table, you are strengthening the hand of the air force in bargaining for JF17s from their governments.
Maybe I am underestimating the complexity of these deals, hell, I hope I am, because I would like to think the people at CAC have as much business acumen as they do engineering skills.
Take that option away, and the JF17 suddenly becomes a great deal more attractive.
All other considerations that make the J7 attractive, like no strings attached, able to use commodities to part finance the deal or great financing options offered by China would still hold true for the JF17.
If someone really really doesn't want anything fancy, well they can choose not be buy any BVR missiles, and I am sure CAC could be persuaded to stick a J7's radar into the nose of the JF17 is the customer is that strapped for cash. But I really doubt it will come to that kind of penny pinching.
I am sure the air force generals and pilots would love to have JF17s to play with as opposed to J7s. By taking J7s off the table, you are strengthening the hand of the air force in bargaining for JF17s from their governments.
Maybe I am underestimating the complexity of these deals, hell, I hope I am, because I would like to think the people at CAC have as much business acumen as they do engineering skills.
MwRYum
Major
Well, the way I figure it is that countries are only buying J7s because it's the cheapest thing on the market, especially in terms of new builds.
Take that option away, and the JF17 suddenly becomes a great deal more attractive.
All other considerations that make the J7 attractive, like no strings attached, able to use commodities to part finance the deal or great financing options offered by China would still hold true for the JF17.
If someone really really doesn't want anything fancy, well they can choose not be buy any BVR missiles, and I am sure CAC could be persuaded to stick a J7's radar into the nose of the JF17 is the customer is that strapped for cash. But I really doubt it will come to that kind of penny pinching.
I am sure the air force generals and pilots would love to have JF17s to play with as opposed to J7s. By taking J7s off the table, you are strengthening the hand of the air force in bargaining for JF17s from their governments.
Maybe I am underestimating the complexity of these deals, hell, I hope I am, because I would like to think the people at CAC have as much business acumen as they do engineering skills.
There's more than being short of cash and political factors for anyone to buy old junk like the J-7 - face it, even a new-build its design is hopelessly obsolete - for those states can buy trainers that can double as ground attack crafts, as the most common mission profile those countries have isn't air combat but attacking insurgents on the ground...alas those countries can hardly afford the logistics associated with FBW stuff, or properly paved runway.
Equation
Lieutenant General
True, but if that's the case, than an affordable attack helicopters are better suited for their insurgent attack role on the ground. Why buy just jets when the chopper could do the same for ground attack mode, plus carry a squad of infantry in the action on the objectives?
kwaigonegin
Colonel
plawolf
Lieutenant General
I think the last 6 or 7 conversations need to be moved to the J7/JF 17 thread
Yes, sorry we did get a little sidetracked back there. But it's hard to stop when you are having a nice discussion. But that little sideshow seemed to have run it's course, so that should be the end of that.
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