China revives production of JH-7 strike aircraft ????????

Monday, June 08, 2009
By Kaleem Omar

China is now spending upwards of $ 60 billion a year to modernise its military, with the eventual aim of giving it power-projection capability far beyond its borders. In typical fashion, however, Beijing is not rushing pell mell into this endeavour, but is proceeding with due deliberation one step at a time, so as not to alarm its neighbours.

Unlike the United States, China is also not given to throwing its weight about in its dealings with other countries and tends to err, if anything, on the side of caution. Such caveats aside, however, the fact remains that China is becoming stronger and stronger militarily with each passing year and recently announced plans to build its first aircraft carrier battle group. The US has 12 such battle groups, so its going to be a long time before China achieves conventional military parity with America.

Such larger issues aside, China has, meanwhile, decided to revive production of its JH-7 strike aircraft. British and French engine manufacturers are vying with each other to provide China with engine technology to support the potential additional production of 170 upgraded JH-7s.

First produced in the mid-1990s, the JH-7 met with limited success because the aircraft maker, Xian Aircraft Co., Xian, Shaanxi, China, experienced difficulties in manufacturing the powerplant, the WS9 turbofan engine. The WS9 is a version of the Rolls Royce Spey Mk202 that the company builds under licence.

A report in the American weekly military journal Defence News quoted industrial and government sources as saying that China is now planning additional production of the JH-7. According to the report, discussions have been going on with Rolls Royce plc, London, and France’s Societe Nationale d’Etude et de Construction de Monteurs d’Aviation (Snecma), to build engines for the attack aircraft.

Jean-Paul Bechat, president of Snecma, was quoted as saying that his company was having regular discussions with the Chinese authorities about the possibility of fitting the M53 engine to a variant of the JH-7 aircraft. The M53 powers the French Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft.

Another Snecma official familiar with the Asian market was quoted as saying that discussions with China had so far centred on the technical feasibility of replacing the JH-7’s existing engine with the “slightly more powerful” M53.

A Chinese official was quoted as saying that China is building the JH-7. He said the Chinese Navy’s aviation arm is is buying the JH-7. Bringing the JH-7 into widespread service within the Naval Air Force would boost the service’s capabilities, the Chinese official was quoted as saying.

A European industrialist was quoted as saying that the People’s Liberation Army’s Naval Air Force could produce an additional 50 to 70 aircraft, and the PLA Air Force may purchase some 100 planes. Some of the planes to be built will be improved variants of the aircraft, dubbed the JH-7A.

The JH-7, a two-seat, twin-engine, attack aircraft, is in limited service with the Naval Air Force. According to the Defence News report, the naval JH-7 is equipped with standoff anti-ship missiles and would be used primarily for maritime strike missions.

In addition to talks with Snecma, Chinese officials are also discussing the Spey Mk202 with Rolls Royce. Under the terms of a deal concluded in the late 1970s, Rolls Royce has provided several dozen Spey engines to China, with the intention that the Xian Aero-engine Co. was to manufacture the engine under licence as the WS9, says the Defence News report.

A source was quoted as saying that discussions with the British company now focus on Rolls Royce providing further support and sub-components to Xian to support a production run of the WS9. Rolls Royce may also provide a number of additional complete second-hand Spey engines. “We have a long standing relationship with China,” Gary Atkins, a Rolls Royce spokesman, was quoted as saying.

With regard to the Chinese Spey/WS9, Atkins was quoted as saying, “We have been supporting this project in a number of ways, ever since China acquired a batch along with the manufacturing technology.”

According to the Defence News report, there remains considerable political sensitivity surrounding the sale of military equipment to China, which remains subject to a European Union arms embargo, though this covers only weaponry and complete weapons systems.

The Snecma official was quoted as saying that since the discussions with Chinese officials had so far been of a technical nature, his company had not sought approval from the French government. He added, however, that if business discussions get underway, Snecma would first have to get French government approval for any sale.

“It’s a delicate situation because the European Union imposed an embargo on military exports to China in 1989 which is still in place,” the Snecma official said. He said that any export contracts for this type of engine to China would also have to go through the European Union’s code of conduct for arms exports regulations.

The official said that it was likely that China would want to put new engines on the JH-7 in the 2004-2006 time frame, but that these dates were not fixed. China would insist on at least having full repair and maintenance capacity for these engines, he said. Ideally, what they would want “is step by step to reach 80 per cent capacity of building the M53 engine themselves, 10 or 15 years down the road.”

Meanwhile, in another development, Russia and China have clinched a deal to have more Su-27SK fighters assembled at a Chinese aviation plant for China’s Air Force.

The $ 1.4 billion deal involves a contract for the fighters to be assembled at the Shenyang Aircraft Making Factory in Shenyang, Liaoning province.The contract was signed by Chinese defence officials and managers of Russia’s chief arms exporter, Rosvoorouzhenie.

It is not known how many Su-27SK fighters will be assembled under the deal, but the contract reportedly bans the Chinese from exporting any of these jets.

A press report said that Ivan Skrylnik, spokesman for Rosvoorouzhenie, refused to give details about the deal, as did Yuri Chervakov, spokesman for AVPK Sukjoi, which develops and manufactures Sukhoi fighters. Both companies are based in Moscow.

The Russian government was said to have welcomed the cash deal as it would inject liquidity into Russia’s defence industry and keep employees of AVPK Sukhoi and its subcontractors busy for years.

The SU-27SK is an export version of the Russian Air Force’s basic SU-27. The SU-27SK began production in 1991. It has a maximum range of 3,680 kilometres, a maximum speed of 2,125 kilometres per hour and can carry up to eight air-to-air missiles.

Though described by Rosvoorouzhenie as an advanced aircraft, the Su-27SK is today not quite in the same class more advanced models, such as the French-made Mirage 2000-5s or modified F-16s operated by the Taiwanese and Japanese air forces, respectively, according to Konstantin Makienko. Deputy head of the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST) in Moscow.

Paradoxically, the fact that the Su-27SK is inferior to the Mirage 2000-5 and even Sukhoi’s own Su-30MKK fighter could turn into a positive development for AVPK Sukho, Makienko was quoted as saying.

“Sooner or later the Chinese will have to upgrade these planes to modern requirements, such as the ability to attack ground targets. This means that Sukho will sign new deals to carry out these upgrades,” Makienko was quoted as saying.

Russia and China concluded a $ 2 billion deal in 1996 to have the Shenyang Aircraft Making Factory assemble 200 Su-27SKs from kits provided by AVPK Sukhoi’s Komsomolsk-om-Amur Aviation Production Association, according to CAST figures. China also signed a deal in 1990 to procure 20 Su-27SKs and four Su-27UBK combat/training fighters.

In another development, a group of Chinese officials visited Moscow in August 2000 to negotiate the purchase of Russian-built A-50 early warning aircraft. The visit came in the wake of the failure of a similar deal between Beijing and Israel for Phalcon early warning aircraft.

The talks focused on an advanced version of Russia’s A-50 early warning and control aircraft, dubbed A-50E, for which the Scientific Production Corporation’s Moscow Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Engineering (MNIIP) has already developed an advanced radar system.

An MNIIP official was quoted as saying that the Chinese were interested in buying several A-50E aircraft.

The Chinese became interested in buying the A-50E in the autumn of 2000 after then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Baruk sent a letter to then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin in July that year informing him of the Israeli decision to back out of the $ 250 million Phalcon sale.

Barak’s decision, which was prompted by heavy American pressure to kill the deal, was made during the US-sponsored peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders at Camp David in July 2000.

This sounds like a super outdated news…..

We can safely say that the J 10 B is not PSed.

I thought that was acknowleadge long time ago?

It just some sour grapes cannot take it down becos of their technology backwardness. :rolleyes:

http://v.ifeng.com/include/exterior.swf?guid=7e69466e-5c30-4d46-89b7-236086c685bd

High ranking AVIC official jet engine expert Mr Liu Daxiang confirmed J-11B fighter jet actually uses 2 kinds of engines, Majority of J-11B still uses AL-31 imported engines but some J-11B has already equipped with WS-10.

While WS-10A already start intergrate into J-10.

J-11B will appear in the 60th anniversary celebration parade of PLA.

The June issue of AirForce Monthly publish the photo of Thai Gripen in production line on page 28. 😎

An array of Gripen news along this month!

Jet purchase plan shelved by air force
Commander grumbles about govt budget cuts
By: WASSANA NANUAM
Published: 9/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Budget cuts have compelled the air force to shelve its planned purchase of six more Swedish-made Gripen fighters.

As the government decided on Wednesday to slash the defence budget for the next fiscal year from 171 billion to 151 billion baht, the air force had to ditch its plan to order six more Gripen fighter jets worth 15 billion baht, commander Itthaporn Subhawong said.

The air force has already bought six Gripen jets worth 19 billion baht with the planes due for delivery next year.

The air force needs the other six Gripen jets to complete a fleet of 12 that will replace its ageing F-5 fighters scheduled to be decommissioned in 2011.

With only six Gripen jets, the air force was not confident of protecting national security, according to the air force chief, who also warned that the decision would weaken national defence where competitive weaponry is vital.

“This affects the potential of the armed forces because they need modern weaponry. If we must defend the nation with weapons that cannot match [our enemies’] or are outdated, nobody will have respect for us,” ACM Itthaporn said.

He said that the six other Gripen jets were necessary for national defence.

“We must explain what is essential and need a review from the government. Weapons result in national security. Without strong defences, neighbours will not have respect for us.

“We, all soldiers, are ready to sacrifice our lives for the nation but in any fight we must have competitive weaponry. The life of every soldier is valuable. If a conflict erupts and we have weapons that do not compare, soldiers will be killed,” he said.

The Swedish fighters will be stationed at the air force base in Surat Thani to protect the Gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and all areas in the southern region of the country.

The air force plans to use them as its main fighters instead of the F-16 jets used now.

The Defence Ministry was one of the agencies hit hardest by the budget cuts, implemented because government revenues have fallen short of target and the need to raise money to pay for economic stimulus schemes.

A ministry source said there was a question whether relations between the Democrat Party-led coalition and the armed forces would sour because the armed forces had supported the government but received budgetary reductions in return.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/16383/jet-purchase-plan-shelved-by-air-force

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Defence is in need of Gripen fighters
By Panya Thiewsangwan
Published on May 30, 2009

“As and when the economy improves and the country is in a position to earmark the budget for security-related procurement, the fighter jets will be bought and deployed,” he said.

Prawit said he expected the Cabinet to approve the procurement plan in principle, pending the state of the economy, at its meeting next Tuesday

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday said his ministry would push for the Bt15.4-billion procurement of six Gripen fighter aircraft, although they would only be bought when the fiscal situation permitted such a costly purchase.

The procurement, if approved, will be spread over five years from the next fiscal year starting in October.

Prawit said the six Swedish jets, when added to the other Gripens already in deployment, would form a wing of 12 fighter aircraft, replacing the ageing F-5 jets that have been in service since 1966.

He said all military procurement plans had been put on hold in light of the economic downturn. However, the Air Force needs to have its budgetary plan approved in principle in order to make the necessary preparations for deployment of the aircraft.

The proposed Bt5-billion purchase of four search-and-rescue helicopters will be treated in the same way, the defence minister said.

The Air Force is eager that the public fully understands the ministry’s procurement plan, said deputy spokesman Group Captain Monthon Satchukorn.

If the government deems it necessary, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Ithiporn Suphawong is willing to withdraw the plan in order to delay the Cabinet debate on the issue, Monthon said.

The plan has been forwarded to the Cabinet with an understanding that the budget would be approved in principle without actual disbursement of funds at this juncture, he added.

http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/05/30/politics/politics_30103928.php

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A bit of politic view.

New govt rift fears as jet plan revived
Prawit pushes Gripens, coalition tension likely
By: POST REPORTERS
Published: 30/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

An attempt by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon to revive the air force’s procurement of Swedish-made Gripen jet fighters despite military budget cuts is likely to raise tensions between the Democrat Party and its key coalition partner, Bhumjaithai.

The move opens the way for a fresh conflict between the Democrats and its influential coalition partner following differences over the 4,000-bus lease project, the auction of the government’s mortgaged crops, and the public land rental scheme.

Gen Prawit, who has close affiliations with Bhumjaithai, said yesterday he would ask the cabinet next week to approve in principle the 5.4-billion-baht project to buy a second batch of Gripen fighters and 5 billion baht for search and rescue helicopters.

“I just want the cabinet to approve the procurement in principle. It is for the sake of reassurance.

“When the country has money to attend to security affairs, we will buy them. I do not think endorsing the project in principle will cause any damage,” said Gen Prawit, who stressed the air force needed the Gripens to replace its F-5Es which will be decommissioned later this year. He said he would explain the need to the Budget Bureau and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

“There is no hidden agenda,” said Gen Prawit, who is tipped to join the Bhumjaithai Party soon.

His push is seen as yet another move by Bhumjaithai to test the Democrats’ sincerity in honouring the coalition partnership. The Democrats have put the brakes on the Commerce Ministry’s planned sales of mortgaged crops and the Transport Ministry’s 67.9-billion-baht bus lease plan. Both ministries are under Bhumjaithai’s supervision.

Bhumjaithai heavyweights appear to be opposed to the Democrat Party’s proposal to allow farmers to rent public land at 10 baht per rai for farming.

The scheme, the brainchild of Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam who oversees the Land Department, apparently lacks support from Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai leader, and Saksayam Chidchob, his chief adviser and a core member of Bhumjaithai.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, another Bhumjaithai key figure, denied Mr Chavarat was opposed to the scheme. The minister was merely concerned that it could be exploited by the rich.

“Mr Chavarat wants the scheme to be examined thoroughly. He fears state property will be abused,” he said.

Mr Saksayam said the party was not using the land leasing plan to gain Democrat support for the mortgaged crop sale and bus rental projects.

“The land rental project has just been raised for discussion. An inspection is under way to separate state land from private property.”

Mr Chavarat said the land leasing scheme was a sound project and Mr Thaworn could submit it to him for further submission to the cabinet.

Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutarak dismissed any rift over the land leasing scheme, saying the Bhumjaithai Party had raised concerns but did not oppose the project.

Meanwhile, the air force said it was uncomfortable with the defence minister’s push to revive the Gripen purchase plan, as it feared the public might misunderstand. Air force spokesman Grp Capt Monthon Satchukorn said air force chief ACM Itthaporn Supawong would ask Gen Prawit to review the project and withdraw it from the cabinet meeting’s agenda.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/17575/new-govt-rift-fears-as-jet-plan-revived

Thailand Air force make a big mistake going for Gripen. They shall have opt for China FC-1. A plane truely free from political restriction (airframe,engine all free from the west), cheaper to get. Definitely within their budget and a leap from their current F-5E with BVR and AWACS support. Plus their neighbouring country has zero inside knowledge of this plane. Providing them the element of surpise.

hyper nationalists pops out of nowhere again to show off insecurity against other insecure nationalists.

how bout you calm down and relax, enjoy life.

here’s a nice real J-10 for you 🙂

and really cool J-14 in secret hangar

I hope this makes your day happier and full of sunshine!

Can moderator do something about this unrelated post? :rolleyes:

… and I think: NO MORE DOUBTS abot being a PS/FAKE !??

Deino

They will bounds to be some sourgrapes idiot who refuse to believe the advancement of Chinese aviation….

If they want to claim PS and live in their dreamland, let them be. :diablo:

Sri Lanka to be the LCAs launch exprot customer 🙂

Are u joking? :rolleyes:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/7-injured-as-MiG-27-aircraft-crashes-in-Jodhpur/articleshow/4533047.cms

JODHPUR: A MIG-27 fighter aircraft crashed in a village in this district on Friday, injuring six labourers and a child on the ground.

The MiG-27 pilot, a squadron leader, ejected out of the cockpit safely just before the aircraft crashed between 8.10 hours and 8.20 hours in Konkani village in Luni, about kms from here, while on a routine sortie, Defence PRO Lt Col N N Joshi said.

The plane crashed soon after take off into an under construction house in a field in a small hamlet in Salawas village of Luni, he said.

The Indian Air Force has ordered a probe into the crash, Joshi said.

SP (Rural) Sharat Kaviraj said seven persons including a two year old child have been injured.

This is the second IAF fighter aircraft crash in as many weeks, the previous mishap being that of a sophisticated Su-30MKI air superiority fighter near Jaisalmer on April 30.

This is the fourth IAF aircraft crash in 2009, the first being that of a Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team’s Kiran-MkII crash in Bidar on January 21, followed by an unmanned aerial vehicle crash the same day in Hashimara.

The last MiG-27 crash had taken place in Hashimara on January 31 last year.