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A PLAAF Shenyang J-16 Fighter which is a knock-off of the Su-30MK2 Air Superiority Jet
Photos uploaded to a Chinese website indicate that the PLA Navy Air Force has successfully equipped its Su-30MK2 fighter with the domestic SD-10A air-to-air missile, according to Duowei News, an outlet operated by overseas Chinese, on Oct. 6.
Earlier photos have shown the PLA is able to install its KG600 electronic countermeasure pod on the Su-30MKK of the PLA Air Force as well as the Su-30MK2 fighter of the PLA Navy. A Chinese military expert told Tencent News that it is a technological breakthrough for China to be able to fit domestically designed devices and weapons systems to Russian aircraft such as the Su-27 as well as the Su-30, which were designed to be equipped with Russian systems only.
The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation played a key role in this breakthrough as it was responsible for producing the J-11 fighter from the design of the Su-27. With this experience, the company's engineers managed to crack the Su-27's software and then modify it. The Su-27 became the first Russian-built fighter able to fire the PL-8 short-range air-to-air missile developed in China.
By fitting the Chinese-built SD-10A to the Su-30MK2 fighter, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation gained the experience it needed to further customize the Russian fighter. It can now equip the aircraft with domestic electronic countermeasure pods, electro-optical targeting systems and precision attack munitions even though the company has not received authorization from Russia to conduct such modifications. When China completes the development of the J-16 fighter, more modifications may be added to the Su-30MKK and Su-30MK2.
The expert said the J-16 is based on the Su-30. If the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is able to change the fire control system of the Su-27 through its experience of reverse engineering, it can do the same with the Su-30. By that time, the Su-30MKK and Su-30MK2 fighters may carry more advanced Chinese weapon systems such as the PL-15 medium-range air-to-air-missile, PL-10 infrared-guided air-to-air missile and satellite guided munitions, the report said.
Back engineering allows PLA to customize Russian fighters|WCT