China's relations with Pakistan are different, but Egypt...... China and Israel have collaborated on various projects; China-Israel relationship is kind of a two way traffic where both are benefiting from each other (probably China is gaining more than Israel). Now, Egypt and China.... What you think? If Israel 'requests' China not to supply Egypt with SD-10, would China like to risk a 'fruitful' relationship with Israel over a couple of hundred million deal with Egypt?
You are presenting only hypothetical scenarios. Not only does Israel enjoy good relations with China, but also with Russia and France. Israel and Russia have also collaborated/cooperated in various projects, yielding benefits for both, but that doesn't mean Russian planes and Hi-tech arms will not be sold to the adversaries of Israel. Iran is one such case, from long range SAM's to latest generation jet fighters, all available to them. Same goes for french. I already explained this issue in one of my earlier posts.
Secondly Egypt is one country amongst very few Muslim countries with a better image in the West, why some people are comparing them to Iran or North Korea, who are thought to be axis of evil in the west and therefore their every move regarding defense article procurement is tried to be blocked by the west. Egypt has no such issues.
Lastly china is more then willing to supply Egypt S-10 BVRAAM equipped Thunder, but lets assume if they face any resistance from Israel as you say,then they can sell them through Pakistan as the deal would be struck between Pakistan and Egypt, it will be a similar situation where Russia provided us RD-93 through china even when Indian made a lot of noise. And remember china is not as dependent or close to Israel as India is to Russia. I wont be even surprised if MiCA BVRAAM, finds its way in Egypt's Arsenal.
The sole point which makes the Thunder valuable is its BVR capability at an affordable price. Without BVR the affordability factor becomes worthless and that's why it is center of attraction for the third world and most probably the biggest replacement for Third generation fighters like Mirages, Mig 21s and F- 7s. And of course Chinese know this, after all we all know how good business people they are.
given bellow is an article, which shows Chinese willingness to supply thunders to Egyptians.
Dubai 09: China eyes international military market
DATE:17/11/09
SOURCE:Flight Daily News
By Siva Govindasamy
China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (stand W110), which markets China-made military aviation products globally, is in talks with several countries to sell the Hongdu L-15 advanced jet trainer and Chengdu JF-17 fighter.
"We are talking to about five to six countries for each aircraft, and air force pilots from some of them have already flown test flights," says Ma Zhiping, president of CATIC. He is unable to say when the first deals will be signed, but he adds that there will be several "traditional and non-traditional" customers in the coming years.
Ma declines to specify which countries are interested, and would only say that they are mainly in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America. At the show, the Chinese delegation had meetings with countries including Iraq, Sudan, Mauritania, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Pakistan and Egypt. Outside the show, they have also met officials from countries including the Philippines, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.
"Different countries have different requirements and we have to try to cater to them. This includes operational and financial requirements. We provide very capable aircraft at a very reasonable price compared to what else there is in the market," says Ma.
"One of the biggest problems for many of our customers is financing. Many are developing countries and their payment abilities are limited. We work with the Chinese government in these cases to help them get cheap credit."
For potential JF-17 customers, China is willing to help them set up an assembly line or produce components for the aircraft. This will be similar to the arrangement with Pakistan for the JF-17, and earlier with Egypt for the Hongdu K-8 intermediate jet trainer and light attack aircraft.
"Some of the countries want to develop a defence industry, and we can do with them what we have done with Pakistan and Egypt," says Ma. "We have been selling aircraft for the last 30 years, but it is only in the last 10 that we have really started to make a mark in the international markets.
"Our presence in Dubai has doubled from the last time we were here, and that shows how serious we are. We will make an impact in the market for military products the coming years."
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