What if – Harrier for the PLA in the 1970's

Found in the UK national archives and BBC.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=-4264724&CATLN=7&Highlight=&FullDetails=False

“Covering dates: 1973 April 11
Scope and content: Defence implications of the sale of Harrier aircraft and Spey aircraft engines to China.
Access conditions: Normal Closure before FOI Act: 30 years
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Held by: The National Archives, Kew”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/17/newsid_2547000/2547811.stm

“China’s invasion [of Vietnam in 1979] prompted British MPs to lobby the Labour Government to reconsider its decision to supply China with Harrier jump jets.”

If the UK had sold Harriers to China in the 1970’s we may see Chinese copies on some Invicible-like ships?

They did sell Spey engines, which now powers JH-7 attack aircraft.

Cheers,
Sunho