Tempest II
PDF THINK TANK: ANALYST
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,414
- Reaction score
- 11
I think it is about making money. The FC-1/JF-17 is becoming more and more a Pakistan project. Proudly and rightly so, Pakistan is getting the larger share of the workload. Imagine in another 5 to 10 years. Chinese companies need to make money regardless of what they are selling and protect their markets. Nothing wrong and I would not call them bad for that.
Maybe Pakistan needs a 3rd party with money … … someone other than China which will have a conflict of interests. China has F-7s (I believe Tanzania and Bangladesh were receiving brand new builds last year), FTC-2000G, L-15 and the J-10 to sell. Considering the long-term services and spares contracts for such deals and their value, CATIC is protecting its interests. Already Kamra is servicing/over-hauling F-7s for the likes of Nigeria and Sri Lanka among others. I understand training too. Logic says CATIC will put FC-1 at the bottom of the list. The bulk of the money they will ever make on the FC-1 is already secure through the PAF development costs and 250 planes. The other 50-100 planes expected elsewhere are a small part with an even smaller profit.
Maybe Pakistan needs a 3rd party with money … … someone other than China which will have a conflict of interests. China has F-7s (I believe Tanzania and Bangladesh were receiving brand new builds last year), FTC-2000G, L-15 and the J-10 to sell. Considering the long-term services and spares contracts for such deals and their value, CATIC is protecting its interests. Already Kamra is servicing/over-hauling F-7s for the likes of Nigeria and Sri Lanka among others. I understand training too. Logic says CATIC will put FC-1 at the bottom of the list. The bulk of the money they will ever make on the FC-1 is already secure through the PAF development costs and 250 planes. The other 50-100 planes expected elsewhere are a small part with an even smaller profit.