What a mess!

Flogger, although I know this is hopeless (from my observation of your threads in the last 5-6 years), I still want to say one thing:

Let’s cut all the crap, Please give us evidences because you said a J10 prototype was powered by wp13. Photoes? Dates?

This my only question and please don’t bring anything else into your answer.

The Original question was is China investing too much in high quality aircrraft that their sheer quantity of aircraft will be reduced to a minimun?

the answer depends in what other nations are doing and what is the percived threat?
Several nations are also replacing obsolete aircraft, NATO is doing it with Eurofighters and Rafales the US with F-22s, Russia still is not replacing her fleet of fourth generation fighters.

This process is what many call what is the best option? crappy JF-17s or good J-10s.

China has quality and quantity what happens many think the JF-17 is the super fighter.

If the west adopts F-35s armed with IRIS-T, ASRAAM and Meteors and Russia field soon the I-21, the JF-17 will be a obsolete fighter very soon (already is), further more F-22 and Eurofighters are too advanced.

Solution China should and seems to be opting for J-10s and J-11s but in 10 years from the J-10 will be obsolete because already the F-22 and F-35 have left anything else obsolete.

Russia is betting in her new super fighters of the fifth Generation, probably europe will upgrade the Eurofighter to a level that will offer a Super Typhoon or Rafale with 90% of the capabilities of an F-22.

in few words already China is lagging behind because the J-10 at the most is a JAS-39 class fighter that even latest versions of F-18E, F-16E and F-15E can shoot down.

China needs get into the next level of fighter aircraft and develop fifth generation combat aircraft soon if not all what the J-10 and J-11 will do is being shot down

Although I believe number of people (including me) are trying to avoid replying to you, at least I should reply once:

1. I don’t think you understand the original topic. The original post was about the current somewhat caotic status of China’s military aviation industry, not about whether China knows how backward they are. And I’ve offered my analysis

2. Now about your points: China is already lagging behind. Thank you, I thought everybody including the chinese themselves know that for the last 100 hundred years. Just to remind you, 56 years ago when western countries were producing jet fighters, PRC made her first plane (not the official one, it’s actually a rust Japanese plane), the cockpit windows was made of a farmer’s family window glasses.

My point is I see them closing the gap, while you don’t.

Taiwan currently has multifold of problems, besides China’s increasing pressure.

To name a few:

Politically, ordinary taiwanese are very divided or undetermined to pursue independence. Material life is much more important than a title change on passport covers. At the same time, the ruling party has also lost the gut or motivation to go independent, holding the political power is much more practical. Thus the real motivation to buy large amount of weapon is really not there, it’s all lip services. That’s why although G Bush has promised to sell quite a few advanced weapons to Taiwan since year 2001, ironically Taiwan is yet to decide how much to pay. It’s quite possible nothing gets done after G Bush’s 8 year presidency. What annoys US is that, US pissed off China for nothing, not a single US cent. And all these mil sales announcements are used by Taiwan as political endorsement: US will always protect us and we should not waste our own money.

Now back to the military side, Taiwan is facing a very tough arm race against China, admit it or not. China is using Taiwan as a perfect excuse to modernise her military whereas Taiwan is in a awkard situation: she has to repsond to the arm race (otherwise she’s going to loose her internal and external support gradually, nobody wants to die for her if she does not want lose some blood or money), the question is To What degree.

Many people have different views on how Taiwan should prepare militarily. My personal view is that She really needs to make up her mind. If she wants to go independence, then spend one second and have a good look at China, She should realise if the war breaks out, it will be her last war and she needs to throw everything at it and use them wisely. And I think She should concentrate on Airforce and get F35 as soon as possible, although that alone may not be enough, but I think that’s the most effective and realistic solution. Before F35 arrives, keep upgrading F16. It’s too late to introduce a brand new platform. If a new platform is needed, it has to be very advanced.

But, just have a look at Taiwan’s current situation, they are investing resources like spreading pepper on a large bow of soup. Just to increase appetite, lack any real stuff.

And this one?

I don’t think so, as leaked pictures show the NEW Y-8 rotodome type AWACS with the PLAAF ensign. Like JH-7A, J-10A/B, L-15 prototypes which all display the PLAAF ensign, most likely are selected by the PLAAF/PLAN (which so far the J-10A/B & JH-7A have demonstrated).

In many cases, the PLAAF usually preferred a more indigenous content (rather than foreign) with either fighter jets or tanks. It is reported that the Y-8F600, which flys the Balance Beam AWACS type, uses a high proporation of foreign content. Whereas the Y-8 with rotodome type AWACS looks like it fitted on a Y-8F400 platform, a more indigenous platform.

I predict it is highly likely that the Y-8 Rotodome AWACS is for domestic and Y-8 Balance Beam AWACS is for export.

Y8 with rotodome was the one exhibitted to the Pakistan president and officials several months ago,along with FC1.

Agree with tphuang. Most likely the Y-8 with fixed rotodome is a downsized KJ-2000 on A-50/IL-76 platform: is to be armed with the PLAAF/PLAN. Whereas the Y-8 Balance Beam AWACS is for export.

China never sells the same version of weaponry that the PLA uses, to export clients.

eg 1. the J-7E/G is domestic and F-7MG/PG is export
eg 2. PL-8 WVRAAM is domestic and the PL-9C WVRAAM is export.

No, you get it wrong on Y8. The Y8 with rotodome has a longer history than KJ2000(IL76 based) and KJ200(Y8 new variant based). Y8 balance beam is for domestic usage. Y8 with rotodome (not fixed phase array) is now allowed to be exported to get some R&D funds back, at least that’s what they’re thinking.

L15 is mainly for export market, similar to the FC1, although PLAAF/PLANAF are targets as well.