JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread

Abominable

Major
Registered Member
Bollox. The Russians only added Western components on customer demand. One example is the Su-30. The Chinese export Su-30MKK is nearly all Russian components, and the Indian one Su-30MKI has lots of Western content in it. And since Western sanctions in 2014 after annexation of Crimea the Russians can't make contracts to buy military components from the West anyways.
Don't want to drag this thread off topic, I'm sure I read that from someone here (I could be wrong of course).

I suppose you could add Russian platforms as an option. My point was that Argentina has very few choices if it wants to have a credible air force. Talking about used F-16s as an alternative to a Chinese plane is pointless as it's never going to be allowed.

If they do buy some they better pay up front.
 

pmc

Major
Registered Member
Bollox. The Russians only added Western components on customer demand. One example is the Su-30. The Chinese export Su-30MKK is nearly all Russian components, and the Indian one Su-30MKI has lots of Western content in it. And since Western sanctions in 2014 after annexation of Crimea the Russians can't make contracts to buy military components from the West anyways.
Indian MKI has minimum western content. they have old French HUD/displays thats about it. Not even HMS was French.
 

x THE OGT > UK

New Member
Registered Member
The Argentinians have been flirting with the JF-17 since around 2013-2014. If they haven't bought any by now, I don't think they ever will.
It happens that it is the JF 17 Block 3 that is really attractive for Argentina. Earlier versions did not meet the requirement of the Argentine Air Force.
 

gelgoog

Brigadier
Registered Member
The airframes are 40 years old and the electronics don't allow firing the AMRAAM.
Supposedly they refurbished the airframes and engines so they will last a couple more years. But they will have limited lifetime.

Well this is typical of the US. Their MIC doesn't sell you what you want, but what they want to sell to you. They probably wanted to sell old Kuwaiti F/A-18s before because simply no one wants them and they thought Argentina was a pushover I think.
 

lcloo

Captain
It happens that it is the JF 17 Block 3 that is really attractive for Argentina. Earlier versions did not meet the requirement of the Argentine Air Force.
Argentine sure aimed pretty high consider the best combat jets that they have now are vintage A-4 Skyhawk from Vietnam war era.

Financially, in 2021 Argentine's GDP is less than that of Shenzhen city in South China. Military budget is the biggest constraint for Argentina, I don't think they are going to make any final decision soon. Either they postpone the purchase of new built A-4 replacement or get some real cheap deals of used jets as a stop-gap.
 

tphuang

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
VIP Professional
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It happens that it is the JF 17 Block 3 that is really attractive for Argentina. Earlier versions did not meet the requirement of the Argentine Air Force.
I understand the pressure from US government at this point. What is there left for Argentinian to make their decision? At some point, they would need new aircraft, right? Would China offering extremely low interest rate loan do it?
 

Abominable

Major
Registered Member
The proposal by Danish F-16 MLUs is practically a mockery.

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Anything semi-modern western made. They will probably be fine for any South American conflict but are going to be gimped the moment your military makes a move towards the Falklands. I would have thought the Argentinians would have learned from their experience with the exocet, especially with the recent revelations.

Russia or China are your only realistic options. If you want cheap, speak to Russia. They have flankers in storage they'd be happy to refurbish for next to nothing.
 
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