Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

SinoSoldier said:

It seems that Saudi interest in the FC-31 is more serious than we thought ... the RSAF is seriously considering co-funding the development of the FC-31, and it has been reported that King Salman took a chartered flight to SAC in 2016 just to see the aircraft himself. It is also rumored that Pakistan might be interested in the FC-31 as well.

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Yep, cause its very unlikely they would get the F-35, just a lot of mistrust after 9/11 in the general public, its very sad, because many of us like the Saudi's, but the revelations of Christian persecution have caused many of us to rethink our loyalties?? In the past many Christians felt a kind of kindred spirit with Muslims in general, and Saudi's in particular..

So radicals have definitely hurt many of our former alliances and associations that were mutually beneficial,,, but no one has been hurt more than the Iranians, who at one time shared a similar relationship with the US.

I feel very sorry that many of our former Arab friends and compatriots are now under totalitarian regimes who would persecute them for any expression against the status quo?? they are the real victims, sadly many have "capitulated" in order to survive against terror???

So I'm very certain the Saudi's are interested in the FC-31, and I could think of several other friends in the region who are no doubt interested as well.

SinoSoldier said:

It seems that Saudi interest in the FC-31 is more serious than we thought ... the RSAF is seriously considering co-funding the development of the FC-31, and it has been reported that King Salman took a chartered flight to SAC in 2016 just to see the aircraft himself. It is also rumored that Pakistan might be interested in the FC-31 as well.

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Quite surprising with the Saudis considering that they can purchase the f35 if they really want to. But then again this was in 2016 when Obama expressed limiting sales of high tech weaponry like the f35s to a few ME countries.
I don't know what trump's policy is in regards to FMS but I can also see a bunch of countries especially majority Muslim ones swinging towards the China

Well the Saudis did just make a major buy of AH64E attack Helicopters, so the Trump administration does seem willing to make sales. Thus far however the F35 is selling to JSF partner nations first. It could mean that the Saudis would be waiting longer then they would like. It could also be that that feel F35 is just not how they want to employ a fifth gen fighter. IE a strike fighter rather then a air dominance fighter.

kwaigonegin said:

Quite surprising with the Saudis considering that they can purchase the f35 if they really want to. But then again this was in 2016 when Obama expressed limiting sales of high tech weaponry like the f35s to a few ME countries.
I don't know what trump's policy is in regards to FMS but I can also see a bunch of countries especially majority Muslim ones swinging towards the China

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In light of the fact of the supposed agreement between Russia and UAE on a light 5th generation fighter jet (depending on how you believe), it seems like a Middle Eastern involvement with China's FC-31 project is quite logical. At this point, those country could already see that China has actually put a 5th generation fighter jet into service which is more stealthy than PAK-FA. On top of that, they have all bought Chinese UAVs by this point, so that should put them a lot more at ease regarding purchasing Chinese aircraft.

Since F-35 is not an option for them (and i don't see how it could be for the foreseeable future), they are pretty much down to China or Russia. The Japanese and Korean design are probably going to be more like 4.5 generation designs. FC-31 is a lot closer to the finish line than a brand new design that Russia comes up with.

tphuang said:

In light of the fact of the supposed agreement between Russia and UAE on a light 5th generation fighter jet (depending on how you believe), it seems like a Middle Eastern involvement with China's FC-31 project is quite logical. At this point, those country could already see that China has actually put a 5th generation fighter jet into service which is more stealthy than PAK-FA. On top of that, they have all bought Chinese UAVs by this point, so that should put them a lot more at ease regarding purchasing Chinese aircraft.

Since F-35 is not an option for them (and i don't see how it could be for the foreseeable future), they are pretty much down to China or Russia. The Japanese and Korean design are probably going to be more like 4.5 generation designs. FC-31 is a lot closer to the finish line than a brand new design that Russia comes up with.

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I wouldn't count the Koreans and Japanese birds out. They are both technological powers in their own right. With the fact that there are now Three nations with 5 fifth generation designs established it's only a matter of time before the next true fifth gens roll out. The Japanese have been very hesitant to sell military technologies abroad. Well the Koreans have shown an interest in just that as well as establishing a partnership for a fifth gen machine.

tphuang said:

In light of the fact of the supposed agreement between Russia and UAE on a light 5th generation fighter jet (depending on how you believe), it seems like a Middle Eastern involvement with China's FC-31 project is quite logical. At this point, those country could already see that China has actually put a 5th generation fighter jet into service which is more stealthy than PAK-FA. On top of that, they have all bought Chinese UAVs by this point, so that should put them a lot more at ease regarding purchasing Chinese aircraft.

Since F-35 is not an option for them (and i don't see how it could be for the foreseeable future), they are pretty much down to China or Russia. The Japanese and Korean design are probably going to be more like 4.5 generation designs. FC-31 is a lot closer to the finish line than a brand new design that Russia comes up with.

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Exactly TP, I see this as a gold mine for the Chinese if they play their cards right, and no doubt the Saudi's and UAE would love to get away from Uncle Sam's little merry go round?? I just see this as a marriage made in heaven at this point, and the FC-31 could be the new Superstar. It comes with some excellent geneaology following those beautiful Chinese Flankers J-11B, J-15, and J-16.... this is about as sound a heritage as it gets.

kwaigonegin said:

Quite surprising with the Saudis considering that they can purchase the f35 if they really want to. But then again this was in 2016 when Obama expressed limiting sales of high tech weaponry like the f35s to a few ME countries.
I don't know what trump's policy is in regards to FMS but I can also see a bunch of countries especially majority Muslim ones swinging towards the China

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To be fair, I expect the US to reverse its F-35 sales ban to Arab countries. The apparent shift of Arab militaries towards Chinese hardware is likely a response to increased pressure on Western nations to cancel arms contracts with GCC countries rather than technical advantages offered by Chinese weapons.

SinoSoldier said:

To be fair, I expect the US to reverse its F-35 sales ban to Arab countries. The apparent shift of Arab militaries towards Chinese hardware is likely a response to increased pressure on Western nations to cancel arms contracts with GCC countries rather than technical advantages offered by Chinese weapons.

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I rather doubt the ban will be reversed anytime soon, I do however find the rest of your post to be insightful and mirror my own observation.

TerraN_EmpirE said:

I wouldn't count the Koreans and Japanese birds out. They are both technological powers in their own right. With the fact that there are now Three nations with 5 fifth generation designs established it's only a matter of time before the next true fifth gens roll out. The Japanese have been very hesitant to sell military technologies abroad. Well the Koreans have shown an interest in just that as well as establishing a partnership for a fifth gen machine.

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We may share those technologies with Japan and South Korea, just as we allowed Japan to produce F-15s under license. South Korea's instability or even that of Japan do represent quite a bit more liability for our technology than we may be willing to risk???

Well, the FC-31 and F-35 are also apparently designed around different approaches to combat (The FC-31 apparently has supercruise planned and the F-35 is a data fusion champion), so buying one doesn't necessarily preclude buying the other (at least in theory).