JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread
- Thread starter johnqh
- Start date
timepass
Brigadier
In July 2015, Myanmar had signed a deal for 16 JF-17 Block II aircraft at a unit cost of $16 million
A JF-17 Fierce Dragon fighter aircraft with the insignia of the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) on its tail has been conducting test flights in China's Chengdu airport, indicating that plans to induct them into MAF by end of this year may be on course.
That will make Pakistan a military hardware exporter because the Fierce Dragon has been jointly developed by Pakistan and China.
Khwaja Suhail Mansoor, chairman of Pakistan’s standing committee on defence production, claimed recently that the fiscal year that ended in July, the value of defence exports was $98.3 million, a 55% jump from a decade back.
While the JF-17 is a major joint collaboration effort to manufacture and sell combat planes by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the state-owned Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (PAC/CAC), it has been mainly developed by China by improving its CAC FC-1 Xiaolong air fighter.
Myanmar is the first country to buy these planes to replace its aging combat force of 24 aging J-7 fighters and 16 A-5IIK ground attack aircraft. MAF has a force level of 112 fighters, about 80 trainer aircraft, 25 transport aircraft, and around 140 helicopters.
In July 2015, Myanmar had signed a deal for 16 JF-17 Block II aircraft at a unit cost of $16 million, Jane’s Defence Weekly claimed. Myanmar may also be considering buying an additional unspecified number of JF-17s. The Defense Ministry is tight-lipped on that.
The JF-17 Block II variant of the light multi-role and combat fighter is an improved version of the Block I fighter and boasts of mid-air refuelling facilities. But, its role will largely be to provide close air support or for defensive operations. With China’s active help, the Pakistan Air Force is also pursuing an ongoing effort to build and induct about 150 JF-17 fighters.
Dizasta1
Senior Member
It is a joint production, with a certain percentage manufactured in Pakistan and China respectively. When, not if, JF-17s get more orders from more countries. The manufacturing base will be expanded. If need be, CAC and PAC will expand manufacturing base simultaneously. What neither party wants to do, is to overreach on supply, without the proportionate demand in place. And in times when things are very volatile, it's better to be prudent and not over-shoot.
timepass
Brigadier
MALAYSIA REPORTEDLY MULLING LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHTER OPTIONS
IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly that the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is mulling lightweight multi-role fighter options to complement its fleet of twin-engine medium and heavyweight fighters, i.e. the F/A-18D and Su-30MKM, respectively.
“The [RMAF] is looking at its capabilities for the next 15-years-or-so, and how best we can suit our requirements,” IHS Jane’s quoted a Malaysian official, who added, “As part of our future capability plans we are looking at a new [LCA] that will have some air-to-air and a full air-to-ground capability.”
Notes & Comments:
Earlier in 2017, the RMAF for an active requirement of 18 next-generation multi-role fighters to supplant its aging MiG-29s. Saab, BAE Systems and Dassault pitched the Gripen, Typhoon and Rafale, respectively, but fiscal constraints prompted Kuala Lumpur to .
Although the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) , which has been inducted in Thailand and Indonesia, could be a plausibly strong option, Malaysia might also look at its Eastern options. Kuala Lumpur maintains a diverse armament supplier pool, which is evident in its use of Russian jets along with F/A-18 and of Chinese Littoral Mission Ships to its French Gowind-based Littoral Combat Ships.
The RMAF releasing a bid for lightweight fighters could draw Russia and China with the MiG-35 and J-10 as well as JF-17, respectively. United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is the MiG-35 as an affordable high-tech solution, and Malaysia is among UAC’s prospective markets. Besides meeting the light fighter requirement, UAC could aim to have the RMAF supplant its MiG-29 with the MiG-35.
had been hopeful of securing a sale in Malaysia, but in 2015, Malaysian officials rejected the notion that the RMAF was interested in the platform. However, it is worth noting that the JF-17 could be the lowest cost option for a lightweight fighter, one that could also leverage a of Chinese guided air-to-surface munitions, including several stand-off range weapons such as the YJ-6 sub-munition dispenser glide-bomb and C-802A anti-ship missile (AShM). Moreover, the RMAF could recycle its experience and infrastructure for the RD-33 to support the RD-93 turbofan engine.
Saab could also position the JAS-39C/D Gripen, which could fit with the RMAF’s lightweight fighter need while also provide a long-term bridge to replacing the MiG-29. Of the available Western options, the Gripen would possess the lowest acquisition and life-cycle costs. Saab can also leverage its RBS-15-series of AShM (the RBS-15Mk3 can double as a land-attack cruise missile) while also presenting the RMAF with many certified and tested air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions from industry leaders, such as MBDA and Raytheon, among others.
IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly that the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is mulling lightweight multi-role fighter options to complement its fleet of twin-engine medium and heavyweight fighters, i.e. the F/A-18D and Su-30MKM, respectively.
“The [RMAF] is looking at its capabilities for the next 15-years-or-so, and how best we can suit our requirements,” IHS Jane’s quoted a Malaysian official, who added, “As part of our future capability plans we are looking at a new [LCA] that will have some air-to-air and a full air-to-ground capability.”
Notes & Comments:
Earlier in 2017, the RMAF for an active requirement of 18 next-generation multi-role fighters to supplant its aging MiG-29s. Saab, BAE Systems and Dassault pitched the Gripen, Typhoon and Rafale, respectively, but fiscal constraints prompted Kuala Lumpur to .
Although the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) , which has been inducted in Thailand and Indonesia, could be a plausibly strong option, Malaysia might also look at its Eastern options. Kuala Lumpur maintains a diverse armament supplier pool, which is evident in its use of Russian jets along with F/A-18 and of Chinese Littoral Mission Ships to its French Gowind-based Littoral Combat Ships.
The RMAF releasing a bid for lightweight fighters could draw Russia and China with the MiG-35 and J-10 as well as JF-17, respectively. United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is the MiG-35 as an affordable high-tech solution, and Malaysia is among UAC’s prospective markets. Besides meeting the light fighter requirement, UAC could aim to have the RMAF supplant its MiG-29 with the MiG-35.
had been hopeful of securing a sale in Malaysia, but in 2015, Malaysian officials rejected the notion that the RMAF was interested in the platform. However, it is worth noting that the JF-17 could be the lowest cost option for a lightweight fighter, one that could also leverage a of Chinese guided air-to-surface munitions, including several stand-off range weapons such as the YJ-6 sub-munition dispenser glide-bomb and C-802A anti-ship missile (AShM). Moreover, the RMAF could recycle its experience and infrastructure for the RD-33 to support the RD-93 turbofan engine.
Saab could also position the JAS-39C/D Gripen, which could fit with the RMAF’s lightweight fighter need while also provide a long-term bridge to replacing the MiG-29. Of the available Western options, the Gripen would possess the lowest acquisition and life-cycle costs. Saab can also leverage its RBS-15-series of AShM (the RBS-15Mk3 can double as a land-attack cruise missile) while also presenting the RMAF with many certified and tested air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions from industry leaders, such as MBDA and Raytheon, among others.
