Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Verum said:

2. It's cheaper, Pakistan can't afford 50+ J-20's and neither do they need something of this caliber unless India received PAK-FA.

Click to expand...

J-20 does not figure into Pakistan strategic defence requirements. Geographically, the only adversary Pakistan would ever have to fight to defend itself from, is hindustan. In terms of distance and time, targets are well within the weapons' range of Pakistan Military.

The J-20 is specifically and exclusively built around China's strategic needs and requirements. As such, it is not a piece of hardware that China would sell to any country or ally, period. Just the way America, under the US Congressional Law, is prohibited from selling the F-22 Raptor to any country, including it's closest allies. Even israel is barred from buying the Raptor, although it never indicated any interest in the Stealth Combat Aircraft.

As for Pakistan needing something, to match what the adversary has. It is not the sort of strategic approach Pakistan Military operates on. Whether india gets a stealth jet, or a nuclear sub, or a flying monkey. It does not translate into, Pakistan wanting the exact same thing. The approach is quite different, as Pakistan Military's defence planning is based on what is strategically viable, cost-effective and realistically achievable. They are under no illusions that some bottomless pit of money is earmarked for the defence budget by the Government.

However, if the strategic requirement dictates that a certain capability is absolutely necessary for the defence of the homeland. Then Pakistan Military would go to any length, to acquire it or have the ability to build it.

To counter a capability that one's enemy has, there are more avenues out there to be exploited, than just having the same capability as your adversary.

There is a certain saying, which runs deep in Pakistan Military and is common in the rest of the world as well "Necessity is the mother of all Inventions!!" If it is attainable, in a realistic sense, then we would go after it no matter what. Today, Pakistan Military Industry, has been able to build Main Battle Tanks, Navy Frigates and in Combat Aircraft (through the help of it's allies, in particular, China!).

AssassinsMace said:

Yeah I think it was 2010 they claimed the data was stolen because I remember the notion that China could put together a stealth fighter in less than a year when the J-20 first appeared. I want to know if it was the White House, someone in Congress, the Pentagon, or the media made that charge. It's already out that china stole the data so this revelation will not change anything. It's odd if the Pentagon made the charge first and now they're backtracking? Why? Now every other suspect I know they can lie for political purposes.

Click to expand...

It was even earlier than that. If I dont remember wrong the first alligations came in The Wall Street Journal in April 2009. Here is the article:

Some old photos only recently published:

by78 said:

Some old photos only recently published:

Click to expand...

That is such a pretty airplane, it looks more like more like a LockMart product than a Shenyang product, but no doubt it will fly well, I am anxious to see it get some uprated powerplants, and really like the FC-31

Great pics by78. That first shot is something special; very aggressive looking aircraft. I cannot wait to see where this program goes in the next few years. Lessons learned from J-20 (even if only through competitive observation between the groups) will help refine the design and make it more effective in the long run.

Air Force Brat said:

That is such a pretty airplane, it looks more like more like a LockMart product than a Shenyang product, but no doubt it will fly well, I am anxious to see it get some uprated powerplants, and really like the FC-31

Click to expand...

Agreed 100%. Which is also why I like the look of the J-31 more than the J-22

A few more...

The J-31 is very flat and sleek especially when we are used to seeing the hulking curves of the Su-27/J-11 variants, or even the J-10's.

Last year, I think the CEO of the AVIC already said that FC31 will equip with "large diameter AESA" and "stealthy technology developed by ourself". He also showed his confidence that FC31 will eventually equip with Chinese powerplant. My guess is that AVIC wants FC31 to become better than Rafale and F/A18 E/F in terms of avionic and stealth but at the same price.

If the J-31 were upsized to be able to use ws-10s, could that allow for more space for side mounted internal bays for AAMs?