JF-17 Fighter Slated for Block-2 Upgrades in 2012

[Mav3rick]

China is already a big name in defence industry.

From the business perspective, Why would china put so much emphasis on the marketing of JF-17, while they can do the same with J-10s and bag the full profit?

China has not offered J-10's to the world yet, PAF is the only customer outside of China and it may remain so for the next few years. Besides J-10's are in a completely different league.

 

[SBD-3]

After developing J-10Bs and J-20s, maybe China can offer J-10As for export market. We'll have to wait for a few years for that development.

Apparently they have been offereing J-10 for export customers, I can still remeber serbian (if my memory serves me well) team evaluating both J-10 and FC-1 in China.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

JF-17 Fighter Slated for Block-2 Upgrades in 2012

The JF-17 Thunder fighter, co-developed by China’s Avic and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), is to receive improvements that will start being produced with the Block-2 version from next year.

The enhancements will effect the data link and electronic warfare capabilities. An air-to-air re refueling capability will be added, as will be new guided weapons. A two-seat variant is being developed, too. The current program schedule calls for the Pakistan-based factory to deliver the JF-17 Block-2 to the PAF from mid-2012 to 2015. Then, a Block-3 version is planned from 2016. Block-1 aircraft are being delivered until the middle of next year.

PAF Air Chief Marshall Rao Qamar Suleiman said marketing efforts focus on those countries needing to replace old fighters such as the MiG-21, early Mirage, F-5 and Phantom types. The program’s target export countries can be found in Latin America, Africa and Asia. “We offer performance comparable to U.S. and European fighters when it comes to radar, dogfight missile, range and BVR [beyond visual range] capabilities, for one third of the cost,” Suleiman claimed.

So far, five countries are said to have taken a close look at the aircraft. China itself is currently evaluating the JF-17 and a decision is expected “shortly.” Avic and the PAF expect to sell “between 300 and 500 JF-17s” over the next 10 years.

The in-service fleet has logged a total of 10,000 flight hours with the PAF. In China, the JF-17 is also known as the FC-1 Xiaolong.

China-Pakistan JF-17 Fighter Slated for Block-2 Upgrades | Aviation International News

Are the highlighted details about potential upgrades attributable to direct quotes by the ACM or other PAF officials, or are they unsubstantiated details included by the journalist?

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

From the business perspective, Why would china put so much emphasis on the marketing of JF-17, while they can do the same with J-10s and bag the full profit?

It is a more expensive air craft with certain capabilities exceeding those of the JF-17 that may not e required by many of the customers seeking a lower cost fighter jet. Nothing prevents the Chinese from marketing the J-10 - it is the end user that will determine which of the two fighters offers them the most 'bang for the buck'.

The Iranians might prefer the J-10 over the JF-17, for example, but that would because of their need for aircraft with greater range and payload to take on the Israelis and US bases in the Mid East (potentially), and the fact that they have few, if any, Western options to choose from.

Other nations, when looking at the price point of the J-10, might decide to go for the 'tried and tested' F-16, or the Russian SU's and/or MiG's, if they were committed to looking for fighter jets in the J-10 class.

The JF-17, therefore, makes excellent business sense for the Chinese.

 

[Tempest II]

There is a list of upgrades for the Block 2 and Block 3. Now here is an interesting and what I believe might be a very telling absence. They are not talking of upgrading the FBW to all three axis. ... ... Am I the looking one suspecting that BY THEM NOT MENTIONING GONG TO 3-AXIS FBW, THEY COULD BE SAYING IT IS FULLY FBW ALREADY?

I know this is dangerous speculation.

 

[truthseeker2010]

Is there any payload increase in Block 2

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Is there any payload increase in Block 2

A significant increase in payload would only be possible with a more powerful engine.

For a light multi-role fighter, the JF-17 payload is pretty good as is.

 

[Dazzler]

There is a list of upgrades for the Block 2 and Block 3. Now here is an interesting and what I believe might be a very telling absence. They are not talking of upgrading the FBW to all three axis. ... ... Am I the looking one suspecting that BY THEM NOT MENTIONING GONG TO 3-AXIS FBW, THEY COULD BE SAYING IT IS FULLY FBW ALREADY?

I know this is dangerous speculation.

It is already, a customized version of J-10's Iron Bird quadruple fly by wire is backed up by dual channel fly by wire.

 

[SBD-3]

There is a list of upgrades for the Block 2 and Block 3. Now here is an interesting and what I believe might be a very telling absence. They are not talking of upgrading the FBW to all three axis. ... ... Am I the looking one suspecting that BY THEM NOT MENTIONING GONG TO 3-AXIS FBW, THEY COULD BE SAYING IT IS FULLY FBW ALREADY?

I know this is dangerous speculation.

And interestingly a thurst vectoring WS-13....while we were all focusing on WS-10 and AL-31FN, the Chinese pulled a big rabbit out of the hat. PAF seems to be favoring WS-13 over RD-33MK on offer for block II.

 

[Zarvan]

And interestingly a thurst vectoring WS-13....while we were all focusing on WS-10 and AL-31FN, the Chinese pulled a big rabbit out of the hat. PAF seems to be favoring WS-13 over RD-33MK on offer for block II.

What kind of BVRS will Block 2 Carry and what new missiles will be added and when will we receive the first batch of Block 2 ?

 

[regular]

What kind of BVRS will Block 2 Carry and what new missiles will be added and when will we receive the first batch of Block 2 ?

We will be start getting Block II from July 2012. I guess the BVR sould be in range 120+km ranges plus a lot of upgradation in terms of radar, weapons and ECM stuff....

 

[SBD-3]

What kind of BVRS will Block 2 Carry and what new missiles will be added and when will we receive the first batch of Block 2 ?

Certainly not the American, but export variants may be integrated with European ones on customer request (thats a minute possibility). For PAF, the only viable options are 1)T-Darter by Denel (which is still not operational) and 2) Most likely Chinese SD-10 Series (B varient is rumored). Denel and LEOTD should be very excited when any export order comes in......

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

And interestingly a thurst vectoring WS-13....while we were all focusing on WS-10 and AL-31FN, the Chinese pulled a big rabbit out of the hat. PAF seems to be favoring WS-13 over RD-33MK on offer for block II.

Pakistan also took part of the WS-13 development, since choosing RD 93 was just a temporary solution.

While the permanent solution is to develop your own engine.

 

[Edevelop]

Pak contributing to jet engine WS 13? Is this true? can you repeat that. Is it just money funding or is it actually making it.

 

[nomi007]

paf will try to get Eurojet EJ200 for next block