Nigeria rebuilds air force with $220m deal for F-7s
China’s CATIC to supply strike aircraft and trainers, with shipments to start next year

http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/08/02/Navigation/193/200660/+Nigeria+rebuilds+air+force+with+%24220m+deal+for+F-7s.html

Nigeria’s defence ministry has signed a contract worth more than $220 million to acquire one squadron of 15 Chengdu F/FT-7NI strike aircraft and trainers from the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).

The Nigerian air force will take delivery of 12 F-7NI fighters and three FT-7NI trainers under the deal, which details a unit cost of over $11 million. The service’s two-seat FT-7s will be shipped from China next June for reassembly in Nigeria, with the country’s first single-seat fighters to follow from October 2006.

Twelve Nigerian pilots, including four instructors, will travel to China early next year to undergo conversion training on the new aircraft, which is an extensively modified development of the veteran MiG-21 design already in Nigerian service.

A related armaments package accounts for around $32 million of the deal’s value, with thiscovering the supply of PL-9C short-range air-to-air missiles, unguided rockets and 250kg (550lb) bombs for anti-tank and runway denial missions. CATIC will deliver 20 live PL-9Cs, 10 training rounds, launchers and training and support services for the weapon for around $18 million under the agreement.

The acquisition supports an effort to boost the combat effectiveness of the Nigerian air force, which has been diminished through the removal of its Sepecat Jaguars and by the grounding of its 23 MiG-21s. Nigeria’s decision to buy F-7s rules out a proposed $160 million upgrade and life extension for the MiG-21s, which had been pursued by teams comprising Aerostar/Elbit Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries/RSK MiG.

The re-equipment process also involves a more than $70 million deal to refurbish five of theservice’s stored Alenia G222 transports and to acquire one ex-Italian air force example.

CRAIG HOYLE / LONDON

I just have one quick question! As much as the navalized variant of the J-10 seems to be an idea on paper, would there be any chances it could one day become a reality? Wouldn’t be easier to modify the existing the aircraft into a carrier capable machine although this would be a difficult modification.
Nonetheless, this twin-engined J-10 looks great. It would quite the fearsome opponent on the high seas.

Naval version of J10 should be better said to be an idea only existing in all the Internet BBS rooms 😀

We could not deny any chances, it will always be a chance. however, you judge yourself when the chance of modifying an existing single engine powered J10 to shipborne fighter is next only to design a total new plane in difficulties. Then you know how is the chance you can expect.

CAC of course will further develop twin engine powered platform with some stealth figures in the coming years. But many developments will be based on the know-how from J10.

J10 at this moment is fine, in production with a Russian engine. However, it’s also the moment we should draw more our attention to the North where the SAC located now. The j11B hopefully can be in mass production next year. And wait patiently to see its twin-seated version (J11C?), at that time, we probably will know the 1st shipborne fighter ever is emerging 😎

What’s new on JH-7?
The JH-7 is ready to launch the new YJ-91 ASM in addtion to the YJ83

How do you guys think of J11’s surface finishing ? 🙂

Well, considering airbases usually aren’t in the city centre… …to see the things i’m looking for.

Well, let’s predict what we are going to expect from the trip

And some photos of course:

:p

😀 😎

( I should send these photos to H.E Mr Rumsfeld instead of posting here. Who knows maybe his report will eversince be aborted :p )

LoL, That’s all dependent on which part of PRC u r travelling. If it’s a scenic rural area, ur choice of a moped will b perfect, However, if it comes to the major cities where are all well linked by expressway, I’d rather prefer to buying a ticket, sitting in the Super coach. For ur 2 wheel machine most probably will be banned to ride on such roads and the search for you to find all the branch roads for riding your moped will be pain-taking

Again, that’s a Rafale model in the wind tunnel,

CFF
PLA had 50 engines for the first regiment of JH-7. Number of engines exceeds and does not equal number of aircraft produced. Additional JH-7s were produced after the 2001 imports, and the domestic version were ready after that. JH-7 is the perfect example for showing 100 engines doesn’t equal 100 J-10s.

Don’t forget there is 54 aL31FN purchase beforehand, the J10A is officially produced in 2005, they r at most being produced at 2 X 12= 24 units for whole year.

So during the 100 engine delivery period and beyond till the new WS10 available, the CAC can at most produce 100 planes, the total units produced will be 100 + 24 = 124 units Maximum. The total engine? 100 + 54=154. U still got extra here.