serenity
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Will you stop saying things like J-10C is not a frontline fighter for PLAAF? J-10C and J-16 are the same generation fighter. The only reason J-16 will get a longer production run is the same reason F-15EX is still getting produced. PLAAF needs a long range bomb truck and EW platform long after it has large number of stealth aircraft. There is no evidence J-16 technologies in radar and avionics is ahead of J-10C. There is a reason J-10C still does so well against J-16 in DACT. It's a great aircraft.
Now, as for letting out secrecy. It's definitely a concern for PLAAF that USAF may get a look at it. I think there are certain implicit understanding between PLAAF and PAF on what is okay and what is not okay. After all, USAF does not even let any F-16 users conduct DACT against PLAAF. Which is kind of crazy when you consider that PLAAF essentially conducts DACT with ROCAF F-16Vs on a monthly basis. I suspect that PAF conducting regular exercises with J-10C with non-NATO countries (and probably Turkey) is okay, but PLAAF would not want USAF to get an extended look at it.
We are arguing over semantics. Just like Mig-29 is not a frontline fighter for VVS, Su-27 is/was.
Frontline fighter I already defined carefully for readers as the heavy weight, higher tier fighters tasked with more initial combat duties to establish and maintain air superiority or at least playing a bigger role in contesting and achieving air superiority. In this sense (as I've defined and mentioned) the J-10 is not a frontline fighter. Like F-16 is not a frontline fighter. In PAF, the J-10 and F-16 are frontline fighter. I've defined frontline fighter as your best fighter or second runner up or at least part of the "best" combination of platforms. J-20 and J-16 are by PLAAF accounts and hints a two member team that are more closely integrated tactically. These are PLAAF frontline. Frontline is your best and the tip of the spear. To take control and make the job easier for your non frontline and the rest.
Can you please read carefully and tell me where I said J-10 and J-16 are not the same generation? I understand my post is long but the details and caveat are mentioned.