It’s by far not that easy, they need to develop a significant export potential first. They started with few J-7s and K-8s to less developed nations, okay, now they will need to prove their worth with more demanding clients. As long as their maximum export success is a dozen of Fantans for Sudan and JF-17 for Pakistan, then they still got a lot to catch up. J-10 might be a good aircraft but you need to find someone who will risk it and switch to Chinese aircraft (that includes not only the purchase, but also spares, support, weapons etc.). I wouldn’t bet on it happening very soon.

If the Chinese manufacturers can cover any income they would make on the export market with domestic buyers they’re going to be alright. Frankly, it might even be better for them because it means they’ll be able to focus all their research and design potential on getting what they want without having to tailor anything to anybody else’s needs.

Although, I will agree that getting a second opinion on any piece of kit is better than relying on feedback from your own (undoubtedly very conservative) military establishment. Still, I don’t think its 100% necessary.

Secondly, buying things is often cheaper than making it yourself

Except that it employs none of your people, develops no new skills or technologies and the money you spend simply crosses your border and vanishes, never to return. Sometimes, its better to make a crap thing yourself than to buy a decent thing from someone else. Depends what you’ll use the knowledge for later. For example, Yugoslavia could just as easily chosen to buy the Mirage 2000 (or similar) instead of producing a similar design itself… Nobody could know the country was about to collapse and the R&D knowledge gained would be of no use to anyone.

I’m inclined to agree with the Commander here.

News?

MOSCOW, January 26 (RIA Novosti) – The guided missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, has conducted computer-simulated missile attack drills in the Mediterranean, the fleet’s spokesman said on Monday.

“The designated targets were a naval ship and coastal facilities. All tasks set for the exercise have been accomplished,” the spokesman said.

Moskva is a Slava-class missile cruiser designed as a surface strike ship with some anti-air and ASW capability.

The sixteen SS-N-12 Sandbox nuclear-capable supersonic anti-ship missiles are mounted in four pairs on either side of the superstructure, giving the ship a distinctive appearance.

The cruiser is on its way for an unofficial visit to the port of Messina in Sicily on January 27-30. The visit is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Messina earthquake and Russia’s participation in international relief efforts.

In addition to the Russian vessel, U.S., British, German, Spanish and Danish warships will take part in events to mark the anniversary.

The Messina earthquake had an estimated magnitude 7.5 on the Richter scale and was followed by a tsunami that struck many coastal cities with 40-foot (12-meter) waves, causing more destruction. The earthquake and tsunami killed two-thirds of the city’s then-150,000 population.

KALININGRAD, January 21 (RIA Novosti) – Russian missile destroyer Admiral Chabanenko left a naval shipyard in the country’s Kaliningrad exclave on an urgent mission after having hurried repair work carried out, a shipyard spokesman said on Wednesday.

“Admiral Chabanenko urgently left the Baltiisk naval base on January 20 after receiving orders for a mission of state importance,” Sergei Mikhailov said.

According to a Russian Navy source, the warship will join the Admiral Vinogradov missile destroyer from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, which is currently on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.

Chabanenko docked for repairs at the Yantar shipyard on January 15 after its recent Latin American tour-of-duty. The original repair schedule, including the overhaul of the propulsion system, envisioned the work being finished by the end of February.

The Northern Fleet destroyer accompanied the Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruiser on a tour of the Atlantic and the Caribbean, participating in joint naval exercises with the Venezuelan navy, passing through the Panama Canal, and visiting a number of Latin American countries, including Cuba.

The Admiral Chabanenko, an Udaloy II class missile destroyer, entered service with the Russian Navy in January 1999. It is Russia’s only multipurpose destroyer and is intended to be the counterpart to U.S. Arleigh Burke class ships.

Designed primarily as an anti-submarine warfare platform, with a long cruising range and underway replenishment capabilities, Udaloy class ships provide support to surface task forces.

The Udaloy II is modified by the replacement of the SS-N-14 Silex anti-submarine missiles by the SS-N-22 Sunburn anti-ship missiles, reflecting a change in emphasis from anti-submarine warfare to surface combat.

What’s so urgent?

Good comments flex.

MOSCOW, January 13 (RIA Novosti) – Russia has received export orders for the delivery of Ka-52 Hokum-B combat helicopters from three countries, the manufacturer said on Tuesday. (Ka-52 Alligator helicopter production launched – Image Galleries)

The Ka-52 is a twin-seat derivative of the Ka-50 Hokum-A attack helicopter, and is designed primarily for reconnaissance and target designation purposes. It is similar to the U.S. AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

“We have received orders for these helicopters from three countries,” said Yury Denisenko, general director of the Progress aircraft manufacturing company.

“We are studying these orders and will provide the names of the countries that ordered the aircraft if the contracts are signed,” he added.

Denisenko also said that the Russian Defense Ministry would remain the key customer for Ka-52 helicopters, although he refused to disclose the number of aircraft ordered by the military, citing confidentiality.

The Russian government approved the production of Ka-52 attack helicopters at the Arsenyevsk plant in Russia’s Far East in December last year.

According to Russia’s Air Force chief, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, deliveries of the first 12 Ka-52 Hokum-Bs to the Russian Air Force will start in 2009.

Feel free to speculate about which countries are involved…

What I would like to see is a moderately stealthy bomber built around two AL-31 size engines, with internal weapons bay, and delta wings. That’d be somethin’. Tu-160s – too expensive, too big, will lead to another economic collapse. Lets call it the PAK-DA MKII

Hmm… Not sure you’re gonna get what you’re after.

Personally, I expect to see something in the Tu-22M class. In other words, bigger and more powerful than the Su-34 but smaller and stealthier than a Tu-160. Also, moderately stealthy is not good enough frankly. I’ve explained why in the previous thread on this topic.