J-20A actually comes with a 360 degree EOTS that could probably do multirole work
J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
- Start date
I don't think we've seen J-20A enough though?
Brief google gave me same optical frame as before, implying likely opaque rear and larger mirror, lacking capacity for a full turn.
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I think Indonesia is certain at some point. As the essay posted on the forum recently pointed out out Indonesia does not have control over their own airspace nd Rafael does not give them that. You should read that essay.
F-35 operating Singapore controls Indonesian airspace and Indonesia needs J-35 to get it back.
No other aircraft can do this.
That said UAE is probably more likely if it is one of the Oil Barons. They are buying L-15 so presumably they want to support Chinese aircraft infrastructure.
That gave the JF-17 vibe which totally change the narrative.
What if there is no PLAAF induction but J-35A Naval version and J-35AE export version?
I mean as PLAAF pushing the projection envelope farther out what is the value proposition J-35 brings to the table?
Further more, scaling up production # on exist type like J-20 is much faster and cost effective than introducing the new type.
J-35 is not necessarily cheaper than J-20 given dual engines and same level of avionic.
6th Gen will be entering service in 10 years too.
I don't see the future for J-35 land version in PLAAF, at least no mass production.
J-35A will be inducted with the PLAAF atleast in some capacity, it's been officially announced. Whether PLAAF will induct it in large numbers is another issue of it's own. Someone said J-20 production is reaching capacity and will plateau at ~100+ aircraft a year, which is possible as Chengdu will need additional floor space for the upcoming LRIP of J-36 so with SAC able to add another 100+ aircrafts per year could greatly bolster PLAAF's modernization efforts to replace all the legacy J-10s/J-11s. IMO the biggest issue with J-35A is that even that it is advertised as a multirole 5th generation aircraft it still seems to be air superiority first and strike capability came as a second thought, I think PLAAF will be needing stealthy strike aircraft as soon as possible but J-35A in my opinion does not seem to have a carrying capacity for strike missions unless the weapons bay turn out to be surprisingly deep. PLAAF in the 2030s should ideally be a combination of 5th and 6th generation aircraft with the backbone being J-20 and J-35, and J-16 for lower end strike missions. So tl;dr J-35A's role should just be filling up the numbers faster and replacing old airframes.
Chinese and American equipment tends to be strictly quarantined from each other as far as foreign personnel are concerned. Americans tend to be FAR MORE PITA about it than Chinese.
Pakistan has cordial relationships with US and deeply strategic relationship with China. World is shade of grey, not black and white nor will anyone accept otherwise.
Im sure SAC and AVIC will note down your request, dont forget to drop a physical copy at comments and suggestions box outside their office. As far as reality is concerned, PL-15E doesnt snipe at 90 miles ;-).
Anyway, lets not go too far off on the tangent and pivot back.
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We've seen discussion here that China will not export J-35 before it inducts J-35 in decent numbers for several reasons...now, how do we reconcile this with the fact that J-35 is being marketed for export.
It's very easy to suggest "muh, just scale up/expand" without considering the already present capacity constrains facing Chengdu AC.
Just as I've previously mentioned - Per the Guancha Trios, Chengdu AC is already reaching its limits with the present J-20 production rate of ~100 units per year. How are else you going to wring even more water out of a nearly dry towel? That's yet to include the fact that there are also other concurrent, similarly-important projects in Chengdu AC, including but certainly not limited to the J-36.
If anything - You're looking at Chengdu AC being the only one shouldering the task of building up China's 5th-gen fighter fleet - Until now. If I'm Chengdu, I'd be more happy that Shenyang has finally joined in the workspace to share my burden.
If you're talking about the PLAN's J-35 - Sure, given how the PLAN demands the top tier stuffs for their frontline units, which is competely understandable as they are always expected to be the first ones to face against the enemy onslaught head-on.
But this isn't the case for the PLAAF's J-35A, which is a slightly tuned-down version of the J-35. It will not feature all the top-tier features and capabilities as those found on the J-35s, but they're good enough for the PLAAF for facing off against the present and expected threats on the region to induct the J-35A in larger numbers than the PLAN could/need with the J-35.
Let's just say that while the J-35A could be being slightly (if not generally) superior to the F-35, the J-35A might only be largely equivalent to the F-35 in terms of performances and capabilities, or perhaps even slightly inferior to the F-35 in certain aspects. I certainly failed to see how a J-35A is going to cost really close to the J-35, let alone being anywhere close to the J-20/A/S.
It could sound like a bad thing - But remember that if the PLAAF is capable of flooding against the opposing side's F-35 fleets with their own large J-35A fleets + supported by the J-20/A/S fleets, then that's a much greater plus to the overall PLA warfighting effort and a greatly worthwhile investment, that some people here seems rather struggling/reluctant to comprehend.
Furthermore, just as I've explained in the J-35 thread regarding the J-XDSH+J-35 and J-35+J-15 discussions - Not every mission requires the larger and heavier J-20 to do the job. The J-35A fits the need for these types of tasks well, whlist able to complement the J-20/A/Ss in the overall grand scheme of things.
Well, bomb sight(EOTS) is there, standard munitions are there. Not designed around certain bombs specifically (it isn't strike fighter), but this is certainly more than second thought.
Maybe Pakistan, as the US is promoting the F35 to India. Pakistan needs the J35 for deterring the Indian hegemony.