Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

[Overbom]

How would that work though? Don't the arab states all look down on each other? I don't think they'll simply accept buying saudi-made j31s

Saudi Arabia is gunning for regional power status. China doesn't care what Saudi Arabia does. China will sell, and Saudi Arabia can use its regional production hub status to "convince" regional countries to buy the FC-31.

You basically decrease your share in a company to bring in another business partner to invest with you who will then be heavily invested in increasing the company sales.

So whereas at the beginning its only China pushing for the plane, next thing you know MBS is touring the region and is "convincing" them to buy the plane.

 

[taxiya]

I just don't see Iran getting the FC-31.

1. Pakistan and Saudi are both Sunni countries with a long-standing relationship where part of the Pakistan military works for Saudi Arabia, and where Saudi provides funds to Pakistan. Saudi and UAE are also close allies in most respects.

2. Saudi, UAE and Pakistan all see China as a superpower which will one day eclipse the US in economic power, as per the surveys. Given time, that economic power will translate in military power.

3. China is Pakistan's most vital strategic partner in its rivalry with India

4. China is also the most important customer for the oil and gas produced by Saudi. Presumably this applies to UAE as well, but the numbers aren't readily available.

5. China is also the most important import partner for Saudi and UAE

6. Iran has nowhere near the financial clout of Saudi Arabia, nor the aerospace production capability of Pakistan.

7. Saudi and Iran have tense relations, and Saudi doesn't want China to turn to Iran. A FC-31 project involving Saudi and China would lock in a strategic partnership, probably involving Pakistan and UAE as well.

8. UAE has suspended a contract for 50 F-35s, so is weighing its options.

EDIT
9. China is at the forefront of solar and battery technology. Saudi is one of the best locations for solar as it has lots of desert and sun. Note that Saudi currently burns a lot of oil to produce electricity. But it's cheaper to generate cheap solar electricity (now at 1cent/KWh in Saudi) and sell that oil instead for a lot more money. Saudi and China both know that oil demand is going to decline in the long-term.

Don't forget that China also signed a huge 25 years cooperation program with Iran. Iran is soon full member in SCO. That is something SA has not committed to China. Why would China upset someone who is already a close partner for a "potential" one who is still flirting around?

Importantly, religious sect playing absolutely no role in China's diplomacy.

Also note, just like Turkey and Greece in NATO, Turkey was buying F-35 just like Greece is doing. If US has no problem with it, why would China allow herself to be "blackmailed" by a potential future "ally" against another? Superpower doesn't allow it.

China sold weapons to both Iran and Iraq during their war and non of them could do anything or did anything about it. Why can't China do it again? China established diplomatic relation with SK against the protest from NK. Why bother now?

It is SA being locked with China if they choose FC-31, China is not locked nor would China allows herself being locked to any regional power against another one. A lesson learnt from the history.

About SA's leverage, remember that the SA and China's approachment is not single sided that China need SA, but SA need China as well. The game plays in many ways. Let's say China sells FC-31 to Iran, what is SA going to do? Turn to US for F-35? That will give US the leverage over SA like "hey, now you beg me for F-35, how about you cutting off everything from China?"

 

[Deino]

Can you guys please stop this most speculative and political discussions on if the UAE will get the F-35 or should go for the FC-31 - which in fact is ridiculous since it is a demonstrator only - since it has NO relevance to the FC-31 itself!

 

[Ndla2]

this is the latest update I've seen on this topic

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Who knows if we will hear something soon. If the Saudis/emiratis want to be able to stand up to Israel, then they will have to start buying Chinese weapons. Can't see F-35s getting sold to them without giant compromises on their national security issues.

As for Iran, I think that until they take more strategic actions to aid China, you don't sell them anything more advanced. For example, China has been reluctant to even sell J-10Cs to Iran.

Not even J-10C? Why?

 

[Stealth35]

Can you guys please stop this most speculative and political discussions on if the UAE will get the F-35 or should go for the FC-31 - which in fact is ridiculous since it is a demonstrator only - since it has NO relevance to the FC-31 itself!

Does the FC-31 really exist? (today) I mean isn't it just the export version of the J-31. Which, in turn will just be the land based version of the Naval J-35.....

 

[Stealth35]

QUOTE:

Indian media: Saudi Arabia has placed an order for 48 Chinese fighter jets, and may also buy FC31 and introduce it into the production line in the future​

2022-09-06 11:04 HKT

According to a report by the Indian media "Eurasia Times", the influence of China's weapons is significantly increasing, especially in the Middle East, where local tyrants are full of great interest in China's advanced weapons.

t the 4-day Arms & Defense Exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 8 Chinese weapons exhibitors are showing their various advanced weapon systems, including SR5 rocket launchers, anti-stealth radar and various new UAV weapon systems. But the most eye-catching is China's FC-31 Falcon Eagle stealth fighter. The sale of the FC-31 stealth fighter has already begun. According to the disclosure of Shenfei's official account, Shenfei, the manufacturer of FC-31, even specially An office dedicated to exporting FC-31 was set up in order to be responsible for promoting the fighter internationally. Chinese weapons and equipment aroused the curiosity of many dignitaries attending the exhibition, including Saudi Crown Prince, Yemen Prime Minister, Iraqi Defense Minister, etc.

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[gelgoog]

@Deino, I thought the Russians said the UAE were getting the Su-75.

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[Stealth35]

@Deino, I thought the Russians said the UAE were getting the Su-75.

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I would need more sources before I would take such claims seriously. Yet, I just posted it to foster a debate on the subject. As for the Su-75 or Checkmate or whatever they call it. It was honestly nothing more than a concept. Which, the Russian Government wouldn't even fund!

 

[Stealth35]

Actually, I know some will laugh or not take it seriously. Yet, I think you could make a good case for Russia buying the FC-31/J-31. Why? Because the Su-57 hasn't been entirely successful. (LOL) Nor, can they afford or have the time to develop another 5th Generation Fighter from the ground up either! Also, they could build the J-31 under license and with Russian Components. (Engines i.e. RD-93s, Avionics, and Weapons) They could "spin" this as a Russian J-31 that was a co-developed as a Russian/Chinese Project. Their new friends against the Evil US and their Allies!

Regardless, the simple fact is Russia is no longer the former Soviet Union. (Super Power) Nor, can they afford to develop and replace most of their existing Weapon Systems! Sooner or later they will have to import Weapons and they most likely will come from China. It's only a matter of time. (mark my words)

 

[banjex]

Stahp.