The j-20 idea/configuration is great, but this great idea is finished under old concepts and a lot of compromises that came from these old concepts…is like they studied seriously the ATF concepts…without noticing that we are already in the 2000’s.

Yeah I’m sure that’s what Chengdu did. They should have made an uncompromising configuration — an F-22 clone like the PAK FA. Oh wait, I can’t say that because that would be ignorant.

Other than that , is interesting how quiet is the people about canards…I mean since canards were always been shown as a sin for the stealth thingy (even worse than the curse of lacking the holy s-duct)…is amusing that I don’t see a horde of kids yelling for these canards…wonder if most people online are chinese internet cowboys..

It could be quiet because canards have been debated to death when the first drawings and CGs of the J-XX showed up in the 2000s.
There’s been a discussion going on at SDF for a few pages and defencetalk too… Maybe key forums know better?

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I like how the ACM’s remarks have led to all this — I would have thought everyone and anyone, even the hardest sinophobes would call the comment BS. I mean… ethics and reverse engineering… Really?? We’ve gone from viggen to Mig-25 and F-117, F-22 and MFI… Come on people.

IAF claims there is no Chinese R&D involved in J-20.

http://www.in.com/news/current-affairs/fullstory-air-chief-marshal-pv-naik-questions-ethics-of-5th-generation-project-17485815-80d7d77c1685ef8b5ccd121e3f8f26d7b1f97970-rhp.html

Just because a programme hasn’t stalled and been delayed over and over again, before entering service way behind schedule doesn’t mean there’s no R+D involved… :rolleyes:

lol you are right. Russia has a history of poor support, lots of it has to do with Rosobonextport’s lack of organization and financial issues. China is actually good on support, but bad on quality. See Thai complaints on Jianghu class and Type 59 tanks. Interior wiring were exposed, battle control system very limited, bad water lock, etc

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/thailand/naresuan.htm

but it is cheap!

To be fair quality is becoming better.
Saudia Arabia and Kuwait purchased a sizable number of PLZ-45 SPH — but they were certainly rich enough to buy from other countries. The build must be of a good enough quality to have convinced them, though price is still a big selling point for Chinese military exports.

The Thai navy also sent an OPV and refuel/supply ship (of Chinese origin) sometime last year to patrol Aden. You wouldn’t send them on a relatively long patrol if you didn’t have confidence in quality.

I think two heavy stealth programs are not logical for China. I Think one is J20 and maybe another would be single engined or definitely smaller variant which could be exported if needed. And that one would no be for long range. Maybe 2 BVR and 2 WVR. Not more.

I think it’s very logical –Russia and India are both moving to field large numbers of 4++ generation fighters (Su-35BM and MMRCA), and the PLAAF won’t be going for a F-35 type fighter in the near future nor a full 5th generation fighter fleet either.

A high of J-20s, with less stealthy “J-16” and J-11B, J-10B/future J-10 variants acting as medium and J-7s and J-8s as low is a very realistic composition of PLAAF from 2020 onwards, at which we might see a F-35 type fighter start to take shape.

I’m most curious if J-16 will get a centerline internal bomb bay. It would be very similar to T-50 and there is enough space to accomodate four to six folded-wing MRAAMs.

The J-10B appears as an attractive cost effective stepping stone between 4G and 5G, particularly for airforces that have no current 5G plans, such as the PAF. If it’s true that J-20 avionics and systems have been tested on the J-10B, then some of that tech may filter down to the J-10B.

However, the alternative simpler 5G contender from SAC sounds really interesting, if true.

But here’s a thought, won’t the PLAAF require something similar to the F-35, i.e. a single engine 5G fighter which can be produced en masse to make up numbers? Surely the J-20, or any further twin eginned heavy 5G varient, will be acquired in smaller numbers for specific roles, such as long range strike and air-dominance, similar to the F-22/F-35 setup in the USAF?

Any F-35 type fighter will be years (a decade?) away, and even then would be too expensive for most countries and those which can afford 5th gen would go for PAK FA or F-35 instead.

It will be interesting to see what SAC comes up with — people are talking about a “Silent Flanker” along the lines of the “Silent Eagle”. A flanker with stealthy inlets, internal weapons bay and uprated engines (maybe even WS-15) could prove a potentially attractive option for countries like pakistan who will want some 5th gen capabilities but can’t pay too much

Regardless J-20 won’t be exported to any countries due to cost and the sensitive nature of the tech, and the fact that it’ll be the best jet in the PLAAF inventory for years to come. J-10 has only started to be marketed to other countries because it was the top dog for the last few years.

The whole RCS reduction thing is indeed an interesting and important question, no doubt. But lets not get carried away too fast here. Fact is Indias Flankers are still (probbably?) by far the most capable and powerful air surperiority fighters in region. There is simply nothing out there that has a realistic chance to engage/challenge it and survive the encounter.
Things might (will?) change over time, but today -and for the forseable future- India has a crushing surperiority in the air (quality and numbers) against its neighbours. China included. If need be IAF can ultemately decide who can/may fly the skies of South East Asia. And who may not.
The MKI/Phalcon/Brahmos combo will see to that.
Hate it or love it but India will rule the skies there for yet quite some time. And the MKIs can impose Indias will on any neighbour if its deemed nesessary.

I believe there are about 140 MKIs in service at the moment — I think the PLAAF has around 300 Flankers of differing variants?

I can imagine the IAF imposing airpower over South East Asia to an extent, but certainly not over East Asia.