“But I do think it’s a waste of imported radar of the Zhuk’s capability if you’re only going to use it with a PL-8. Given the Zhuk’s potential, a J-8II could support pretty much the same weapons an MKK has—R-73 with helmet sight, R-77, R-27s, KABs, Kh-29s, and even Kh-31s. The resulting plane is more versatile than the basic SU-27SK, and nearly that of the SKM. If that is so, we don’t see J-8IIs mounting these weapons either, which would have been the strongest visual evidence of a Zhuk mounting. Again these weapons would not part of the PLA secrey umbrella as it has been shown. If they had it, they would have flaunted it, just as they did once on the F-8IIM.”
well im not too sure on that. the F8IIM was for export, so u’d expect it to be showing its full potential, but the J8IIs are for domestic use, so there is no need, and even a preference not to show its full potential to the outside world.
The J8s may be old, but new developments may still be kept a secret, and the PLAAF may be counting on the opponent writing off the type so that it will have the most shock effect in times of war.
After all, if u’re a fighter pilot and facing a large number of PLAAF fighters, u’d be wanting to save ur BVR AAMs for the likes of the J10, J11 and MKKs, u’d not be that worried if a J8 happens to be closer to u.
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