J-10 Thread IV
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
DRC is also increasing its budget for 2023 by 300% to $1 billion. If China would give to DRC attractive payment terms (i.e. not require cash in front immediately, but spreading the payment period for 5+ years), I could see this deal work
In any case, this relative huge defence spending increase by DRC probably means that they are going to shop around for their air force. Explicitly mentioned here:
The JF-17 is a perfect match for them, but it’s a fairly unfriendly neighborhood, a few neighbors have Flankers so it’s understandable.
If I may be so blunt, an impoverished nation like the DRC whose primary security threat comes from insurgents and terrorists should not be blowing so much money on advanced fighter aircraft acquisition. But if they insist, more power to them and I'm sure CAC will be happy.
While I tend to agree, the Congo was the site of one of the costliest wars of the post WWII era. Angola and Rawanda, both of which were major combatants have air forces with relatively modern fighter aircraft. Personally I think the JF-17 could clunk the heads together of all but the best flankers, but power is often perception.
7 Su-25 and 2 Mig-23 are their only fighters right now. I can see uses for the Su-25. But numbers are so low.
Sturdy CAS airplanes would be top of their list but I can see the need of fighters of any kind even jl10 or any Light combat aircraft.
Carbon. DRC can sequester carbon to offset Chinas emissions.
You don’t think the JF-17 has a shot? Congo is poor but it has lots of resources.
