GoldenDragonI don’t see a blow to “experts” since the speculative drawings were all Flanker derivatives, which the Berkut itself is.
What is really surprising is the complete lack of mention of the Algerian Mig-29 purchase.
I would have thought that would be the lead item when discussing MiG’s strength on the export market. That $1.8 billion contract is much bigger than the Mig-29K order.
Highly disturbing that they skipped mention of it entirely, especially since we’ve been hearing for the past two months that the contract is “about” to be signed.
GoldenDragonMore on the Zimbabwe deal from South Africa’s Business Day.
Looks like Mugabe is taking a beating in the press over the purported deal already. Not that it really matters to him.
Read the last part, Zimbabwe is involved in several wars around its periphery. The Zimbabwean Air Force might be the first to put the FC-1 into action if the sale is true.
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1635614-6079-0,00.html
Cash-Hungry Zimbabwe Splashes Out On Fighter Jets
Business Day (Johannesburg)
June 10, 2004
Dumisani Muleya
Harare
Amid chronic fuel, food and currency shortages and a contracting economy, Zimbabwe has secretly placed a 200m order for fighter jets and military vehicles from China, bypassing its own state procurement board.
It is not clear where the funds for the acquisitions will come from, as the army’s budget allocation is only Z815bn (about 136m), of which 69% is for pay and the rest for operations.
According to defence ministry permanent secretary Trust Maphosa, six of the jets could arrive in Zimbabwe this week.
Reports say the aircraft include the FC-1 (Fighter China 1), developed recently to replace the Chengdu F-7, widely criticised by military experts for its inefficiency.
With the acquisition, Zimbabwe joins Pakistan as one of China’s biggest customers for the FC-1. Apart from the 12 jets, Zimbabwe has ordered 100 military vehicles.
Defence and home affairs parliamentary portfolio committee chairman Saviour Kasukuwere has asked why the purchase of military equipment had bypassed the board. He said this lack of accountability could result in the army buying expensive equipment with a short life span.
Maphosa said the purchase of Chinese military hardware was necessitated by the arms embargo imposed on Zimbabwe by European and North American countries.
Zimbabwe’s European-made fleet of military planes and vehicles has been crippled by a critical shortage of spares due to the sanctions. The army and the police have begun to phase out vehicles, planes, and other arms manufactured mostly in Europe.
Faced with the stark reality of equipment shortage in the army, Kasukuwere’s committee toured defence installations and military barracks last December. After the tour he said Zimbabwe needed to look “elsewhere” for military equipment.
Apart from the effects of sanctions, Zimbabwe’s arsenal was heavily depleted after its Democratic Republic of Congo military adventure, in which it helped prop the governments of assassinated former president Laurent Kabila and his son and successor Joseph between 1998 and 2002.
It was also bogged down in the Mozambican civil war, fighting alongside the Maputo government in its bid to crush Mozambican resistance movement Renamo.
[/quote]
GoldenDragonAn embossed picture of the J-10B. I would have posted in the J-10 thread if it weren’t embossed. Looks real enough but impossible to to tell when it’s manipulated this way.
GoldenDragonApart from the 12 jets, Zimbabwe has also put an order for 100 military vehicles. At least six of the jets are expected to be delivered any time this week, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Trust Maphosa told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs.
Hmmm, this is probably the J-7G/PG instead of the FC-1. Maybe a confusion of the current $200m order and a future FC-1 order.
But I think Zimbabwe could be counted as a possible FC-1 customer in the future.
GoldenDragonhttp://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/f7.11959.html
Mugabe spends $200m on new fighter jets
By Staff Reporter
Last updated: 06/09/2004 16:44:58
ZIMBABWE has ploughed an estimated US$200m into the purchase of 12 new fighter jets and military vehicles from China, New Zimbabwe.com has been told.The government’s acquisition of the military hardware is set to cause a stink with critics led by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change. The MDC has already queried the defence budget — the biggest in the current financial year — which it says is unjustifiable in peace time.
Due to sanctions imposed on President Robert Mugabe’s regime, Zimbabwe’s current fleet of European-made fighter jets is said to be crippled by a critical shortage of spares which has forced the government to look to China and the Far East.
Although the government has refused to disclose the type of aircraft being bought in the secret deal covered by the 1989 legal provision which excludes the acquisition of key military equipment from going through a tender board or to be advertised, sources tell New Zimbabwe.com the aircraft include the FC-1 (Fighter China 1), developed recently to replace the Chengdu F-7. The cost of each plane is US$20m.
The FC-1 was designed by China to replace the F-7 which has been widely criticised by military experts. Pakistan, which like Zimbabwe was using the F-7 is China’s biggest customer for the FC-1.
Apart from the 12 jets, Zimbabwe has also put an order for 100 military vehicles. At least six of the jets are expected to be delivered any time this week, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Trust Maphosa told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs.
It is not clear where the funding for the new aircraft is coming from as in the current budget, announced by government in November last year, the army was allocated $815, 49 billion (about US$154 million) with 69 percent expected to be chewed by salaries and the rest going to operations.
Mt Darwin MP Savior Kasukuwere queried the manner in which the purchase of military equipment had by-passed the State Procurement Board, a move he said might result in the army buying equipment which may be expensive, but having a short life span.
Maphosa told the parliamentary committee that the decision to buy the military hardware from China was a political decision after the force had encountered problems in procuring spare parts for equipment bought in Western Europe as a result of European Union sanctions imposed against President Mugabe’s regime.
Zimbabwe has one of the most formidable defence forces in Africa, whose highlight after the country’s independence include assisting the Mozambican government subdue the former rebel Renamo in the 1980s and repelling invasion forces who were threatening to overrun the DRC capital, Kinshasa in 1998.
The Air Force of Zimbabwe has two bases in Manyame (near Harare) and Thornhill (Gweru) with personnel estimated at about 5 000 in 1999. Currently, the Air Force has the Chengdu F-7 fighter jet, British-made Hawker Hunters and recently demonstrated newly-acquired Russian-made MiG-23 jets and Mi-35 helicopter gunships, armed for attacking targets on the ground, especially with automatic gunfire, but often also with rockets and/or missiles.
Additional reporting Daily Mirror
GoldenDragonChinese press confirmation that the Qinling (China’s first medium thrust turbofan) is now powering the JH-7A.
This is important because there was initial confusion on whether the second set of imported Speys went into the improved second-batch JH-7s or the JH-7As.
No hard specs for the Qinling but the JH-7A export version (FBC-1M) was advertised at having a major increase in hardpoints (from 7 to 11), load and range.
Today fierce chart article: “Qinling” 涡the fan engine volume production effective enhancement “flies the leopard” the battle efficiency
——————————————————————————–
2004-06-08 03:13:00 clicks:1322
“Qinling” the engine is our country production first kind of domestic product medium thrust force double rotor turbo-fan mix thrust augmentation type engine. After a China National Aviation Corp group is established, “Qinling” the engine development includes the key project, and “85” has completed in the partial domestic products in the introduction production patent foundation, continues to complete the entire engine domestic product, to basically forms with the domestically produced material and becomes to produce this engine the ability.
“Qinling” the engine installs the our country famous fighter plane “flies the leopard” the power unit. This kind of engine work stable, starting reliable, rapid, highly, velocity characteristic good, cruise oil consumption low, the maintenance is good. Completes “Qinling” the engine development, but effectively enhances “flies the leopard” the airplane “the flight level” and the operational strength. The Xi’an aircraft engine (group) the company is this engine always undertakes to manufacture the unit, the domestic 80 related factories, the colleges and universities participated in the development. The experimental work starts from the beginning of the 90’s, various senate ground the unit to attack and capture the massive technologies, the craft difficulty, was “Qinling” the engine trial produces has successfully made the contribution.
In entire appraisal test flight process, “Qinling” engine work normal, has not appeared has been separated from the engine the fuselage to carry on row therefore the situation, the leading test flight proved this engine reliability, the stability were good, has met the test flight program each target requirements. In July, 2003 the 16~18 date, “Qinling” the engine passed the domestic product project technical appraisal in Xi’an. Our country aspect the and so on aircraft engine design, material, craft expert thought in the technical appraisal conclusion that, “Qinling” the aircraft engine through the craft test run, the inspection tests a car and installs equipment is in the lead the flight, the performance good, the movement is steady, the main technical performance had basically achieved the operation requirements, may invest the small volume production. “Qinling” the engine develops successfully is after “Kunlun Mountains” the engine an our country aircraft engine manufacture domain significant breakthrough, has filled our country independent production turbo-fan thrust augmentation aircraft engine blank, symbolized our country aircraft engine manufacture technology has gotten up a new stair.
News origin: Chinese aviation newspaper
GoldenDragonHowever, JF-17 does have 3 color MFDs from Sextant Avionique. I think that’s JF-17’s cockpit, not FC-1’s.
Remember, JF-17 has 3 MFDs, FC-1 has 2.
The cockpit from your Russian site is the F/A-18’s cockpit. The JF-17/FC-1’s final cockpit has not been installed on any of the prototypes yet.
You read Russian? It would be good to know that you have the skill if you really do 🙂
GoldenDragonHere is the flight test certificate speech for AOI (Arab Organisation For Industrialization) which operates the K-8E production line. 40 K-8Es were already assembled and delivered from the line by July of 2003.
http://www.chinaembassy.org.eg/eng/zaigx/jmwl/2003/t76272.htm
Speech Delivered by Catic President Yang at the Ceremony for K-8E Jet Trainer Certificate of Recognition
2003/07/29
Distinguished ACF Chairman Engineer Ibrahim Yunes,
Chief of EAF Engineering Department Major General Hamid Eid,
H.E. the Chinese Ambassador Mr. Liu Xiaoming,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Today, it is my great pleasure to award the K-8E final assembly and flight test certificate to AOI/ACF.
On behalf of China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), Hongdu Aviation Group Company, I hereby express my warm congratulation to Chairman Younes and all the guests and friends. Awarding the certificate to AOI/ACF by CATIC is an important milestone for K-8E co-production program, which represents AOI/ACF has possess the capability of production, quality assurance and management needed for K-8E A/C final assembly and flight test. This is a great achievement for Egypt to re-establish her own aviation industry, also a remarkable outcome through the Egypt-China joint efforts.
When we signed the K-8E co-production contract in 1999, some friends show their doubt on whether our two sides were able to execute this grand contract as per the requirement. Now the fact tells us that 40 K-8E A/C have been successfully manufactured in AOI/ACF, among them 38 A/C delivered to EAF, 2 A/C to be delivered soon. This has been made in such a short period through the joint efforts of Chinese and Egyptian technician, which proves the capability of our two sides. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to our partners, AOI and its ACF, Electronics factory, EAF Helwan depot, my appreciation to Egyptian Ministry of Defense, Egyptian Air Force, to H.E. Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and all the friends who take care and support the program.
Today we all see tremendous changes in AOI/ACF, which not only demonstrate the production facilities upgrading, environment improvement , but further more demonstrate the great change in production management, quality assurance system and empolyee’s skill and expertise. As for the certificate, after our experts evaluated the Phase I activities by AOI/ACF for final assembly and flight test, we concluded that AOI/ACF has met our requirement and standard and the certificate is hereby issued. We will evaluate the activities for Phase I periodically according to ISO quality assurance system to ensure the effectiveness of this certificate. We know AOI/AC has completed its work for Phase I and Phase II and is engaged in Phase III. It is much complicated with regard to the production and technology in Phase III, as well as higher requirement for quality assurance and production management. But we are assured that AOI/ACF is able to continuously manufacture high quality parts for the K-8E A/C.
As what we said repeatedly, K-8E program is just the beginning for our cooperation, and we are strongly confident that we are going to collaborate in more fields.
At last my appreciation to the Chairman for your kind invitation for this ceremony.
Thank you.
GoldenDragonIs the Garret Turbofan still an option for K-8 customers?
The Garret is the engine of the K-8E and is one reason why the Egyptian program had progressed more smoothly than Pakistan’s. Though that has changed with the WS-11 engine and both Pakistan and China are beginning to equip their air forces with large numbers of K-8s – Chinese JL-8s built immediately after the US embargo used the Ukrainian AI-25TL.
I believe that new customers can request the Garret but would have to negotiate with the US. Any new K-8, usless specifically requested, would probably come with the WS-11.
GoldenDragonYes, the F-1-CK’s radar is named after me. And like me, it provides many fine pictures when turned on.
GoldenDragonTopic based on a completely false premise. There aren’t a lot of “dragons” in China’s aviation products up for export and their official nicknames at all.
Q-5: (no official export nickname; Fantan is a Nato codename)
F-7: Airguard, Skybolt
J-8IIM: (no official export nickname)
FBC-1: Flying Leopard
FTC-2000: Mountain Eagle
K-8: Karakorum
SD-10/FD-60: Thunderclap/Lightning series
The FC-1 is actually called the “Thunder” more often in western news sources.
J-10, of course, has no official nickname because it doesn’t even officially exists.
So where are the large number of “dragons” being complained about here?
GoldenDragonHere you go, Wolfie.
http://www.wforum.com/specials/articles/04/3804.html
Give us a better translation of the main points if you have time.
GoldenDragonAnother testament to the new “market” philosophy in development from the Chinese language boards. Attention again is paid to the young people coming up in this old state-run firm. It seems the JL-9/FTC-2000 is a privately funded venture by Guizhou.
Babelfished:
Chinese aviation newspaper fierce chart article: The key model reported that, The expensive navigation “the mountain hawk” the higher education bravely rushes the new road
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2004-06-08 03:21:34 clicks:309
Expensive navigation group: Bravely rushes the new road to compose the beautiful poem
The Guizhou aviation industry (group) the company is a China National Aviation Corp group subordinate biggest enterprise. In the recent five years,
The expensive navigation group speeds up the airplane development to develop and to produce the achievement “the life project”
Grasped, has obtained the remarkable result. The expensive navigation group while completes annihilates teaches seven series airplanes productions, sped up the following machine improvement modification. On April 11, 2002, the expensive navigation group organization aircraft possessed design, 双阳 the aircraft factory, enterprise and so on cloud horse aircraft factory develops annihilates teaches seven PG to fly the nose to fly successfully, symbolized this group company has had a higher ability and the level in the product development and the product development domain. This machine for annihilates 7 airplanes the improvement modifications, the board installation technology content high, fire control and the guidance system attack capability is strong, only used for 19 months to develop successfully.
On December 13, 2003, “the mountain hawk” the JL9 new advanced training machine head flies successfully is the most splendid chapter which the expensive navigation group for five years composes. After that, on April 3, 2004, “the mountain hawk” 03 high-level train the nose to fly successfully. On April 13, 2004, “the mountain hawk” the higher education machine entire machine 100% static test obtains the complete success in the Chinese airplane intensity research institute. “The mountain hawk” the advanced training machine develops successfully, went out an independent development in the aviation industry to develop the new machine pathway.
“Mountain hawk” the development development has adopted the independent investment, from the load risk brand-new market operation pattern, take the customer as the center, builds the many kinds of platforms. This function satisfies the third generation fighter aircraft the training demand which proposed to the pilot, and concurrently has the certain operational capacity.
According to the convention, one kind of new airplane development cycle probably needs about for 10 years. However “the mountain hawk” from developed flies to has only used for 21 months, opened the riveting from the airplane to fly to has only used 212 day, has created the new miracle.
“The mountain hawk” on new higher education machine development massive uses international advanced CATAI5.7 version design software, the three dimensional electronic prototype, CAD/the CAM technology, caused the airplane in the design manufacture technology a new stair. In “mountain hawk” in the development, the expensive navigation person has attacked and captured the innumerable technical difficulty. The mold line model plan needs hundreds of thousands of man-hours, must use more than 100 molds lines according to the convention to do for two years. Ten just started the work the young people and retired old comrade has completed the task in 4 months. Two years can complete several do 件工 install the design manufacture duty, only complete in 10 month-long time. In the expensive navigation airplane design, the cloud horse aircraft factory and 双阳 the aircraft factory, “61” the work system, “724” the work system common occurence, staff two days two night, three day three night of four day four nights do not even sleep not in minority. In order to guarantee the pitch point, many staffs parents are seriously ill actually cannot in the side care, the family member die could not be filial to the utmost in front of the bed, some young estimator lovers as soon as push the wedding date push again… …
The new higher education machine development, is in under a China National Aviation Corp group’s leadership, displays the big group the union cooperation superiority and the centralism displays the expensive navigation group interior union necessary superiority the result, the expensive navigation group interior necessary rate reaches above 80%.
News origin: Chinese aviation newspaper
Edition: Long Xi
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