the MKI has a rather large RCS like all flankers. but that wouldnt matter one bit. especially when 4 MKIs come hunting datalinked to a phalcon.

So would these MKI also use AWACS’s radar to guide their formiddable R-27/R-77? Or would the Awacs guide them to WVR of adversary where they can use their R-73/HMS combo…over a hostile territory?

I think its difficult to attach a specific price to any fighter, since there r various factors which determine the unit price. For any buyer, its usually the number of purchased units that detrmines the price…and greater the number lower the unit price. On top of that extra goodies, i.e. tot/weapons/maintenance facilities etc increase the overall price even further. For example, UAE paid around $3.2 billion for first set of 30 or so mirages, while they r paying comparatively less for the next set…since all the facilites r already there. That said, russian/chinese stuff is usually cheaper than western stuff.

As for gripen and M2K, i’d assume that the former would cost considerably less than the latter…since empty weight is also a big factor in unit price.

Golden dragon

That was a good one. 🙂
In future, with even better high off bore sight missile combined with helmets…will make life very difficult for any pilot in any aircraft.

Another pakistani source confirming that china indeed has already placed an order for FC-1.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/Apr-2004/17/main/top5.asp
The serial production of the aircraft will start in 2007 and China has already placed order for a large number of aircrafts, Chief Project Director of JF-17, Air Vice Marshal Shahid Lateef told journalists. In addition to China, other regional countries are also interested in buying this aircraft, which carries a one fourth price tag as compared to its other contemporaries but is far better in efficiency and fuel consumption. 😎

Following report is from http://www.dawn.com which is probably the most reliable English news paper of Pakistani origin. However, a big problem is that pakistani press generally does not use special defence correspondents for military briefings and ordinary journalist r not the best to report/question on military related matters.

http://www.dawn.com/2004/04/17/top2.htm
JF-17 to be equipped with modern missiles
By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, April 16: The air force on Friday announced plans to integrate the Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles into the JF-17 Thunder aircraft.

Half of the 16 Thunders from the first batch of the supersonic third-generation aircraft are expected to be inducted into the PAF inventory by mid 2006, while the rest would be conscripted by the Chinese air force.

Briefing journalists at the JF-17 Thunder project directorate at Chaklala, Air Vice-Marshal Shahid Lateef shared the progress being made on the project and dilated on the features of the maiden flight of prototype-3 held at Chengdu in China on April 9.

It was for the first time that two foreign pilots had flown a prototype aircraft in China. “We have now selected the BVR missiles for integration into the JF-17 Thunder. We made a breakthrough recently by acquiring the technology,” he said. He said the JF-17 would also carry H-2 and H-4 bombs.

About the avionics component of the JF-17, AVM Lateef said the West was reluctant to offer help in this regard. He said an avionics package for the aircraft had been examined and a contract for it would be finalized next month. In reply to a question, AVM Lateef said five radars of Italian make would be used on the prototypes.

The information made available to the media said the prototype-1 of the aircraft was for verification of flight performance, prototype-2 for ground and load testing, prototype-3 for verification of light performance, prototype-4 for avionics and weapons integration and qualification and prototype-5 for fatigue testing. Prototype-2 and prototype-5 were only for ground tests, it said.

AVM Lateef said induction of the aircraft would help maintain combat potential, especially at a time when the need to replace the ageing fleet was the top priority and new aircraft were not available from anywhere. “It (JF-17) would replace every aircraft that would retire,” he said.

According to the schedule, flight testing of the aircraft would end this year. The small batch production would be followed by serial production. AVM Lateef said 25 PAF officers had been sent to China and the PAF would have enough expertise to duplicate the work in Pakistan when the people trained in China returned.

He said a number of countries were interested in buying the aircraft. He said the Chinese air force had ordered the aircraft in big numbers.

Golden Drangon

First time i played Air combat (an old game by today’s standards:D ) on playstation, my F-16 zoomed past a flanker as it pulled a cobra from nowhere.

But not again.

Next time, i maintained some distance when in pursuit and when it was almost stationary in mid air, a missile went straight into it.;)

Can anyone provide a better translation for the follwoing quotes from the above article please…for better understanding?

Chengdu business newspaper: “Owlet dragon” goal market approximately in which countries and area?

Commander-in-chief faces the forest: At present the main user develops the cooperation side, but also has very many countries extremely to be interested to this airplane, is discussing with us, should say the international market potential is very big.

Chengdu business newspaper: Its potential market has in a big way?

Commander-in-chief faces the forest: My individual view is about 1,000. If according to “the owlet dragon” the selling price 100 million Renminbi, is 100 billion Renminbi.

Chengdu business newspaper: “Owlet’s dragon 03” becomes 功首 flies, is not meant already had has been allowed the continual volume production ability? Official payment use in when?

Commander-in-chief faces the forest: The continual volume production should be does not have the question. At present, already carried on the small volume production the preparation, officially paid the use also to need period of time.

Chengdu business newspaper: It is reported “the owlet dragon” has the certain stealth ability?

Commander-in-chief faces the forest: When design, certainly not sedulously pursues the stealth ability, but or has the consideration in the air operated layout aspect.

PS. Am i correct in understanding that 7 sU-27 protypes crashed during its development and that cobra manuever was an accidental discovery???