Pakistan inaugurates JF-17 factory(part 2) NO flaming!
Russia to Supply Engines for Chinese Fighters
Rosoboronexport signed a contract with China on supplying 100 RD-93 engines for Chinese fighters FC-1. According to unofficial information, China intends to export FC-1 to Pakistan. However, to avoid complications in Russian-Indian relations the Russian engines will have to be removed from the fighters China plans to export to Pakistan.
FC-1, also known as Super-7 is the first Chinese multifunction fighter, created for sale at international markets. Chinese Chengdu Aircraft Industry Company had been developing the planes since the beginning of 1990s. Other companies participating in the project were China National Aer0Technology Import and Export Corporation, Pakistan’s Aviation Integrated Company, Israel’s IAI and Russian OKB Mikoyan Engineering Center. Pakistan covered about 50 percent of the total cost ($75 million). The take-off weight of FC-1 single-seater is 9.1 tons. It is equipped with Russian 8300 kilogram force RD-93 engine, allowing it to reach the speed of 2000 km/hour at the height of 16.5 km. FC-1 was tested for the first time in August of 2003.
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Command had made the decision to equip RC-1 fighters with Russian RD-93 engines in 2000. RD-93 is a deep modification of RD-33, installed on Russian MiG-29 fighters, and it will be manufactured at the Moscow Chernyshev Machine Works. In 2002-2003 a pilot lot of RD-93 was sent to China to be tried on three FC-1 planes. A few days ago Rosoboronexport signed a $267 million contract to supply the first 100 engines, including spare parts and service. The possibility for further purchases of up to 500 RD-93 was also discussed during the negotiations.
However, the contract had almost become a reason for complications of Russia’s relations with India, its strategic partner. According to unofficial information, China signed a contract with Pakistan on supplying it with 150 FC-1, named JF-17 Thunder. India, considering Russia its strategic partner, opposes Russian supplies of military equipment to Pakistan, since Delhi has traditionally tense relations with it. According to Kommersant source in the Federal Service on Military and Technical Cooperation, “to avoid misunderstandings with Indian partners, the contract for supply of RD-93 to China has been designed in such way that it assumes only direct supply, without it being given a right to reexport the engines in any way, including it being a part of a plane. The contract also does not assume the granting of a license for RD-93 manufacturing in China. Therefore if Beijing desired to supply FC-1 to Pakistan, it would have to look for a substitute for RD-93.”
http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=571225
Anybody got any idea what will be the engines for JF-17? China RE RD-93 engines or Ws-13? And what China r going to do with the 100 RD-93 engines order from Russia since FC-1 r not going to inargurate into PLAAF?
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