JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread

[Equation]

Why second customer ?? Even if nice, we should not overenthusiastically make wrong conclusions: Pakistan is Pakistan and as such for the same Country. The J-10 is also only operated by China even if both the PLANAF and PLAAF both operates it.

Anyway I would like to learn more about who are the other potential customers ... and not just rumours.

Deino

I predict Sri Lanka and perhaps even Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. I wouldn't be surprise even Afghanistan might be interested in the future. JF-17 fighters are good for countries with a small military budget or land locked.

 

[thunderchief]

I predict Sri Lanka and perhaps even Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. I wouldn't be surprise even Afghanistan might be interested in the future. JF-17 fighters are good for countries with a small military budget or land locked.

Let's analyze each country, case by case :

- Sri Lanka has small but diverse airforce of J-7, Mig-27 and Kfirs . Replacing those with one unified platform could be advantageous, but I you think they are more interested in ground attack then air combat (Sri Lanka mostly used their airforce in civil conflicts) . Therefore, I don't think they would be in a hurry to introduce JF-17 right away, especially until true capabilities of Block II, considering weapons integration, max payload etc are revealed.

- Thailand - I don't think so . Thai airforce traditionally use Western aircraft. They now have F-16, Gripen and F-5, so there is simply no place for JF-17 there .

-Cambodia - potentially biggest chance for export, as they rely on Mig-21 with very few of them actually operational. Of course, they would not be able to buy huge quantities of JF-17 , but it could be a start.

- Laos - they had some Mig-21s but currently those are not operational, and frankly looks like Laos has neither money nor political will to do operate modern supersonic fighters.

 

[SteelBird]

-Cambodia - potentially biggest chance for export, as they rely on Mig-21 with very few of them actually operational. Of course, they would not be able to buy huge quantities of JF-17 , but it could be a start.

Forget about it, my friend. I'm from Cambodia, and I can tell you that the Cambodian government doesn't even have enough money to operate J-7/MiG-21. I remember during the so-called coupe in 1997, the Cambodian government bought some second-hand MiG-21 and sent them to repair/refit in Israel before arriving in Cambodia. These aircraft were use to bomb the rebel force royal to Prince Norodom Ranarith. However, after the conflict, I've never heard them fly again.

JF-17? like a star that is light-years away.

 

[broadsword]

I see Cambodia's neighbors do not pose the kind of threat that makes it desperate for a modern fighter squadron. It's not the 70's anymore.

 

[Ultra]

I see Cambodia's neighbors do not pose the kind of threat that makes it desperate for a modern fighter squadron. It's not the 70's anymore.

Didn't Cambodia just had border skirmishes with Thailand?

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Also don't forget about Vietnam - which is modernizing its military rapidly and has historical dispute/war/skirmishes with Cambodia. So I think Cambodia needs them - probably more than ever.

 

[broadsword]

The problem with Thailand was settled with nothing more than artillery. Neither Thailand would want any escalation. Vietnam is not the same as 80's Vietnam anymore and since their withdrawal following the invasion, there is only peace.

 

[Miragedriver]

Anyway I would like to learn more about who are the other potential customers ... and not just rumours.
Deino

In all fairness the article (as poor as it was) did state “could be the first purchaser”.

If we want to talk about the multitude of rumors floating around on the internet there are many...... If I was a wagering man I would say either Egypt or Saudi Arabia: Egypt needs to replace the many Mig-21s, J-7s and Mirage III/V in its inventory, and the likely funder would be Saudi Arabia (the cousin with the deep pockets); Saudi Arabia also needs to replace its fleet of F-5E. This of course is less likely since they usually purchase English or American combat aircraft.

That’s just my two cents worth of rumor.


I will now get back to bottling my Malbec

 

[Zahid]

I will bet on Sri Lanka. JF-17 is to a great extent India-specific. Sri Lanka might want to own a multi-role with strong Anti-ship capability. Plus JF-17 is just about perfect for Sri Lanka in every other way.

 

[Franklin]

Just how exactly is the workload for the JF-17 Thunder being split between China and Pakistan ? What part of the plane is still made in China and what part of the plane is now made in Pakistan ?

 

[Miragedriver]

I will bet on Sri Lanka. JF-17 is to a great extent India-specific. Sri Lanka might want to own a multi-role with strong Anti-ship capability. Plus JF-17 is just about perfect for Sri Lanka in every other way.

I can defiantly see that happening. Getting rid of three aircraft types (Kfir, Mig-27 and Mig-21/J-7) and replacing it with one. Then it all comes down to price. The Mig-27 where purchased from Ukraine for around 4 million US and where expected to have an 8 year life span. The Kfir’s were purchased for around 15 million US (not the 20 million for sale now).

I don’t know how they will acquire and entire squadron’s worth at $25M per aircraft. Unless they purchase half a squadrons worth, like they did with the other aircraft.



I will now get back to bottling my Malbec