I have said the J-10 is to the Lavi what the Super Hornet is to YF-17. They are related but the J-10 is a different beast altogether than the very limited prototype that was the Lavi.

The Z-20 is a different story. I regard it as a modified S-70. It may not even be as capable as the standard Black Hawk. The fact is China doesn’t have unlimited funding to spending on new fighters, bombers, transports, submarines and ships. With the Z-20 they chose a low risk, low cost program to get a proven system operational. This program was not pursued as an opportunity to revolutionize China’s vertical aviation industry as there was little incentive to do so.

Europe has no need for a 5th gen fighter besides the F-35. Europe also cannot afford a 6th gen fighter program that isn’t a multinational work share program. Ergo no single European country will develop their own 5th or 6th gen fighter, unless we’re talking about UAS.

Even Russia needed Indian financing for Pak Fa. At this rate I doubt Russia can go it alone with 6th gen either.

J-20 is actually designed with extrememly advanced 6th gen quantum harmonic oscillation camouflage. Thus in accordance with Heisenberg uncertainty principle, when under observation it can be both 20 and 23 meters long at the same time.

I should revise my statement. If the French could make it at a price point competitive to the F/A-18, they could potentially win Kuwaiti, Finnish, Spanish, Malaysian contracts in the 90s. I doubt that would’ve happened.

After Mirage III Dassault never really knocked one out of the park again. The F1 did okay but only about two hundred Mirage 2000s were exported. Most buyers bought handfuls. Other than the Saudis I can’t see anyone besides France buying.

In some alternate universe where the Soviet Union didn’t implode in 1991 some of the Flanker customers like China and Indonesia could’ve turned to the Mirage 4000.

I think I remember reading somewhere Iran tried to reengine their 707 tanker by replacing the four turbojets with two turbofans.

J-10 allowed the country still building MiG-21 clones to leap into the 4th generation and it’s design team went on to design the J-20. This program taught China how to design modern fighters and is without question one of the most transformative of all time. It’s impact on industry could be compared to the F-117 on American aviation.

Rafale is a worthy continuation of the excellent French aviation tradition, but nothing earth-shatteringly new.

The J 31. Who wants it ? Anyone ? Even the China fans fully admit the 31’s short comings. The concept is a good one. 2 engine F 35 sized fighter. But its reputation is in the gutter.

What reputation, combat record? Has it been caught sleeping around?

Lots of countries want it. Want and affordability aren’t the same thing. I want a Ferrari and a Porsche. China’s fortunate enough to buy one, but maybe not both.