
Originally Posted by
Dizasta1
I would respectfully disagree with you on that PLA-Wolf, as I wouldn't count the J-7s and J-8s as being of any benefit for the PLAAF, against an adversary-group which has the likes of F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16C/D Blk-50 Falcons, F-2 (Jap-Vipers), F-15K Slam Eagles and of course, the F-22A Raptors, in it's ranks. That's over 600 fighter-jets (J-7s & J-8s), which wouldn't even put a dent in the adversary's fighter-fleet. Also worth noting is that the F-15K's radar, The APG-63(V)1 radar has common digital processing equipment with the APG-63(V)3 AESA radar, and thus is upgradable to an AESA radar via antenna replacement.
The USAF's F-15E Strike Eagles and F-15C Eagles are now equipped with AESA radars, or at least a good part of the fleet has achieved the AESA capability. Most of the units with AESA radar, are strategically deployed in the Pacific Region, which includes Hawaii, Japan and South Korea. This, added to the fact that USAF has also deployed F-22A Raptors in Alaska and Hawaii, and a contingent of F-22A Raptors is currently deployed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. This sort of strategic deployment of fleet's fighter-jets, equipped with AESA radars and Stealth Fighters, doesn't bode well for the likes of J-7s and J-8s.
A calculated estimate puts around 90-100 AESA radar equipped F-15Es/Cs and F-22A Raptors, in the Pacific region. This is not including the South Korean F-15Ks, F-16 Blk-50s and the Japanese F-15Js and F-2s. The combined strength of America, South Korea and Japan puts around 600-700 Gen-4++ fighter-jets, pitted against China and Russia. And that does not look good on paper, where neither China or Russia have any or enough fighter-jets, equipped with AESA radars, or any Stealth Fighters, in the region.
So, my friend, I would not be counting the J-7s or J-8s in any category.
To your question, I ask you this ....... Can the AESA radar be retrofitted on the J-10A's or Su-27SK/MKK/MK2's? If so, then I don't see the point of producing J-11Bs and J-10Bs, other than for export purposes. However, if these fighter-jets cannot have the AESA radars retrofitted on them, then China would have legitimate reason to develop an advance variant of the J-10 fighter-jet, and incorporate additional features such as the IRST, DSI, ADV-EW suite and a high-performance WS-10A Taihang engine. The same goes for the J-11B's as well, since both fighter-jets would form the backbone of the PLAAF's Gen-4+ fleet.
Having a high-performance AESA radar is so important for a modern air force, that one can see the evidence in the strategic deployment-pattern, in the Pacific region, of the United States Air Force.
I have a question regarding this point ...... Why do air forces around the world have various types of fighter-jets/fighter-bombers in their fleet? Why not just one type, which would not only save a bucket load of money, but free the logistics support units of the headache in maintaining all different variants, types and configuration of aircraft? The answer is the requisite based on the strategic need and for China, the strategic need is AESA, Stealth, HOBS-WVR, ADV-BVR and above all, the thorough and professional training and high level of flight-hours for People's Liberation Army Air Force's fighter-pilots.
True that China is steadily on its way to having a large fleet of Stealth Fighters, like the J-20s and F-60s. However, that does not mean that the J-10B's and J-11B's don't have a role to play in the PLAAF. The J-10B and J-11B, when refined with AESA, IRST, HOBS-WVR, ADV-BVR, HMS, HP-Engines (FWS-10A) and DSI (J-10B), would represent a true modernization of the Chinese Air Force fighter-fleet. And when produced in sufficient numbers (700 of the J-10Bs & 500 of J-11Bs), would equate to the strategic re-balancing in the region. Having 1200 fighter-jets with AESA radar, facing the Pacific Ocean (not just South Korea, Japan, Australia and America), would ensure that there is a proportionate level of military strength in numbers, to redress the balance of power in the region.
America has bases in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Australia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. All of these bases are in proximity to Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China.
People's Liberation Army Air Force must have enough Gen-4+ fighter-jets in its fleet, to afford the Chinese fighter-pilots a sufficient exposure to and proficiency of the fighter-jet type. Without sufficient exposure, flight-hours on the Gen-4+ fighterjet type, I do not that think it's justifiable or fair on the PLAAF fighter-pilots, to suddenly move on to the Gen-5 Stealth fighter-jet type. There should be a evolutionary transition, the fighter-pilots deserve to have, than an abrupt change in technology.
Besides, operating an adequate sized Gen-4+ fighter-jet fleet, alongside Gen-5 Stealth Aircraft, permits China to pick and choose on how many J-20s and F-60s it wants to build at any given point in time.
I look forward to that day! PLAN Aircraft Carriers with J-15s, AWACS aircraft and helos. But, J-10B and J-11B should be put through the paces of incorporating technologies like AESA, IRST, DSI, ADV-EW, HOBS-WVR, ADV-BVR, R-IFR and HP-Engines. Having such a fleet is in proportionately-sufficient numbers (700 J-10B & 500 J-11B), would not only be a healthy affordable option, but would also allow China to not put all of its eggs (Stealth) in one basket.
On the note of Stealth .... did you hear about the German Air Force - Euro Fighter, that shot-down the F-22A Raptor three times in WVR-Combat, during the recently concluded Red Flag exercises?? It's been the raving news this summer!! Oh and guess what ..... Euro-Fighter is a Gen-4++ fighter-jet!!!
Not when those J-10Bs and J-11Bs are replacing J-10As, Su-27SKs, Su-30MKKs and Su-30MK2s.
I hope not, but that is what has happened in the previous three wars that Pakistan has fought against hindustan (india).
Yes, I really hope that Pakistan Air Force manages to maintain a fleet that includes (150) J-10B, (250) JF-17s and (70) F-16s.
I didn't mean india on its own, posing any threat to China, rather in context where America, Japan, Australia and South Korea, are combining forces. That is how it has always been in the past. Be it WW2, the Persian Gulf War, the Serbian Conflict, the Iraq Invasion and Afghanistan Invasion. America has always gone in with allies and not alone! Even in the Korean War, America had South Korea, Britain, Japan and Australia formed the Allied Forces Pacific. So to, I must emphasize, that india shouldn't be looked at as a threat, on its own, cuz it is not. Rather, in combination with America, Britain, Japan, South Korea and Australia.
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