Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

timepass said:

WAHOOOO!!!!!

therefore IMO J31 will be very much on in small numbers maybe 40 (2sqd).

But time will tell......

Click to expand...

I do not think the presentation of the small model of the FC-31 to the Pakistan Air Force Chief means at all that Pakistan will be getting J-31s.

IMHO, unless the J-31 turns into a PLAAF or PLAN aircraft, I do not think Pakistan will.

But..as we say...time will indeed tell.

timepass said:

WAHOOOO!!!!!

In recently concluded visit of Chinese Premier where they signed Multi billion $ deals (46 Billion to be exact), they (PAK & SINO auth) kept > 11 billions for defense with several silent shopping items.

We know the shopping list of PN (8SSK/6FFG new + 4FFG (053H3) on lease) which will defiantly will not worth 11bns.

We know 40-FC20 (J10Bs) on cards (numbers may increase to 100), therefore IMO J31 will be very much on in small numbers maybe 40 (2sqd).

But time will tell......

Click to expand...

I think it's more plausible that Pakistan will be putting some of that money into co-developing the J-31 than getting any variant of the J-10. It would make a more meaningful hi-lo mix for Pakistan and it would continue the pattern of China not exporting any of the PLA's cutting edge equipment.

Well, if the PAF has an urgent need for fighters, they could go for a few squadrons of J-10B, assuming a delivery before 2020, and wait for J-31 induction around 2025.

siegecrossbow said:

Can anyone identify the missiles on the model?

Click to expand...

One of them looks like a YJ-91 or a scaled-down YJ-12.

thunderchief said:

Let's be realistic : Pakistan does not have the money to fund J-31 program , especially not alone . On the other hand, if China decides go with it, J-31 would certainly not be just a export fighter like JF-17 . After all, there is nothing more advanced in current or future Chinese inventory except maybe J-20 .

Therefore, things will get serious if PLAAF officially accepts J-31 as its new fighter. Until that, it's all just empty talk .

Click to expand...

It would make more sense for SAC to push for exports when there is a low prospect of the PLANAF buying the jet. Granted, a much-needed financial boost from the PLANAF would drive down the costs of the jet, but SAC would probably lower the costs just to keep the Pakistan option alive.

Updates from those who attended the presentation:

- The presentation included a simulation showing the J-31 shooting down multiple Su-30s at long range using "optical sensors".
- The jet offers network centric capabilities and can command multiple UAVs; these UAVs have surveillance, battle assessment, and air/ground attack roles.
- There will be an autopilot system that allows the pilot to concentrate on swarming the UAVs.
- These capabilities will be added in increments.

Blackstone said:

Why are the J-10Bs still on the cards? Is there any official statements Pakistan will purchase them? 40-100 J-10Bs in addition to whatever final numbers of JF-17s sound a bit pie in the sky.

Click to expand...

We need to understand the PAF doctrine here which is to counter IAF. PAF cant match 1 on 1 basis with IAF but they always kept technological & expertness edge over IAF but in recent past since the induction MKIs its being lost.

However, the recent acquisition of F16 BLK 52 & MLUs have somehow compensate that but still there is a gap. Due to the limited resources PAF have adopted the following to match or counter different fighters of IAF:

MIGs/JAGs/MK2 - JF17
MKIs/Raffale - F16/J10B
PAKFA - J31s

I hope above will assist you to have more clear PIC.

SinoSoldier said:

It would make more sense for SAC to push for exports when there is a low prospect of the PLANAF buying the jet. Granted, a much-needed financial boost from the PLANAF would drive down the costs of the jet, but SAC would probably lower the costs just to keep the Pakistan option alive.

Click to expand...

Creating 5th gen jet is very expensive, you cannot use existing off-the-shelf technologies like in JF-17 case. Proper 5th gen fighter would need better engines, AESA radar, RAM materials , shaping that minimizes RCS and yet at the same time allows high maneuverability etc ...

All of that requires money upfront for R/D , and it takes years to get some results . Pakistan doesn't have money to fund all of this alone . Without funding from Chinese government J-31 would remain low-priority program until 5th gen technology matures enough to allow creation of "export fighters" without much spending on R/D . And for that to happen, J-20 would have to be finished and to become operational in substantial numbers .

thunderchief said:

Creating 5th gen jet is very expensive, you cannot use existing off-the-shelf technologies like in JF-17 case. Proper 5th gen fighter would need better engines, AESA radar, RAM materials , shaping that minimizes RCS and yet at the same time allows high maneuverability etc ...

All of that requires money upfront for R/D , and it takes years to get some results . Pakistan doesn't have money to fund all of this alone . Without funding from Chinese government J-31 would remain low-priority program until 5th gen technology matures enough to allow creation of "export fighters" without much spending on R/D . And for that to happen, J-20 would have to be finished and to become operational in substantial numbers .

Click to expand...

True, but in the meantime Pakistan can always start somewhere small in their R&D program till further funding comes into play.

Equation said:

True, but in the meantime Pakistan can always start somewhere small in their R&D program till further funding comes into play.

Click to expand...

Realistically, Pakistan currently imports engines like RD-93 and radars like KLJ-7 , not to mention weapons etc ... I doubt they could develop 5th gen technology if they didn't master 4th gen . You need to learn to crawl before you can walk. You need to learn to walk before you could run.