Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

By now, it should be obvious China is actively promoting FC-31 for export.
Now, I'm 100% sure they will also need to induct a land variant for PLAAF. No Air Force wants to operate an aircraft that the home country is not operating. But it would seem to me that Middle Eastern countries would be the top target here for FC-31. If Saudi Arabia wants some level of local production, that's not a problem. If FC-31 can get a large order from the Saudis, the rest of the Arab world will also be buying it.

tphuang said:

By now, it should be obvious China is actively promoting FC-31 for export.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Now, I'm 100% sure they will also need to induct a land variant for PLAAF. No Air Force wants to operate an aircraft that the home country is not operating. But it would seem to me that Middle Eastern countries would be the top target here for FC-31. If Saudi Arabia wants some level of local production, that's not a problem. If FC-31 can get a large order from the Saudis, the rest of the Arab world will also be buying it.

Click to expand...

That should be one of top most priority of China, swaying energy rich ME countries away from West,specially in defense. This is first time i am watching clear indication of China understanding it & taking a step in that direction.
Not only in energy energy, given demographics, ME will continue to have a say in shaping how 1/3rd of youngest part of humanity will see PRC.

tphuang said:

By now, it should be obvious China is actively promoting FC-31 for export.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Now, I'm 100% sure they will also need to induct a land variant for PLAAF. No Air Force wants to operate an aircraft that the home country is not operating. But it would seem to me that Middle Eastern countries would be the top target here for FC-31. If Saudi Arabia wants some level of local production, that's not a problem. If FC-31 can get a large order from the Saudis, the rest of the Arab world will also be buying it.

Click to expand...

Depending on how the L-15 deal turns out I actually think that UAE is a more likely candidate, especially after they backed out of the F-35 deal.

tphuang said:

By now, it should be obvious China is actively promoting FC-31 for export.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Now, I'm 100% sure they will also need to induct a land variant for PLAAF. No Air Force wants to operate an aircraft that the home country is not operating. But it would seem to me that Middle Eastern countries would be the top target here for FC-31. If Saudi Arabia wants some level of local production, that's not a problem. If FC-31 can get a large order from the Saudis, the rest of the Arab world will also be buying it.

Click to expand...

The F/A-18 was successfully exported even through only the naval variant is in service in the home country.

latenlazy said:

At the rate things are going for the Russian economy Russia might need to buy the FC-31 if it ever wants to field stealth fighters. Would be a supreme irony of history if Russia becomes a customer of SAC.

Click to expand...

Economy forces purchases of a yet unfinished foreign-made fighter(RMB-priced) when there is a finished domestic one(rub- priced)?

If Singapore truly wishes to maintain neutrality between big powers, it must purchase this aircraft and set up PLAAF bases in Changi.

Jason_ said:

The F/A-18 was successfully exported even through only the naval variant is in service in the home country.

Click to expand...

Also the F-14.

siegecrossbow said:

Depending on how the L-15 deal turns out I actually think that UAE is a more likely candidate, especially after they backed out of the F-35 deal.

Click to expand...

Let's just say it can be a great option to all countries that don't have access to F-35. It seems to me that great majority of them that also have money are in the Middle East. The Saudis would be the largest market, but UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Algeria, Iraq, Indonesia, Malaysia and a host of others. That's a huge market.

Jason_ said:

The F/A-18 was successfully exported even through only the naval variant is in service in the home country.

Click to expand...

Sure, but the F/A-18 exported was the same version used by USN. We are presuming that they will actually have a land based version that's different from J-35.

More on Saudi angle here. Reposting from another thread
They are creating JV to make drones in Saudi Arabia. Now, the Saudis already have experience with Chinese drones, so this is an easy sell.

Given MBS aggressive moves to try to shift Saudi economy away from just oil, I think they would very gladly get into similar deals for FC-31. And once you score a deal with the Saudis, that's a huge validation for your program.

Also, the relationship between US and Saudi Arabia is at an all time low due to the Kashoogi assassination. It has only worsened as the Saudis embarrassed the Biden administration in their bid to get OPEC to raise production. This applies to also UAE, Qatar and the rest of OPEC/. I see Middle Eastern countries increasingly turn to China for their defense needs going forward. Especially after seeing the embarrassing performance of some of the Russian weaponry in the Ukraine conflict.

According to the following tweet, not only is SAC willing to offer ToT for the FC-31 but also set up an entire production facility in the country of export. Do take it with a grain of salt, though, as the Twitter handle is not a blue checkmark.

• الصين تعرض بيع مقاتلاتها الشبحية على السعودية و الامارات
• الصين ترغب بتوسيع بصمتها في الشرق الأوسط حيث رفعت نسبة إمدادات الأسلحة إلى السعودية والإمارات بنسبة 386٪
• العرض يشمل بناء المصنع ونقل التقنية وفقًا لبيان الشركة SAC الذي حصلنا عليه

Click to expand...