Pakistan has inked a $1.4 billion deal to purchase 36 J-10 aircraft from China. The aircraft will be designated FC-20 in the PAF. Photo Credit: Retxham/WikimediaNovember 11, 2009, (Sawf News) - Pakistan has inked a $1.4 billion deal to purchase 36 J-10 aircraft from China. The aircraft will be designated FC-20 in the PAF.
Deliveries are likely to begin from 2014-15.
According to the Financial Times, Pakistan may eventually buy a "larger number" of aircraft.
China, which is reported to be producing 2-3 J-10s a month, is likely to offer the aircraft to other countries for export at $42 million a piece.
Beijing could extend loans to purchasing countries and offer local assembly if there are sufficient orders, the source adds.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is poised to roll out its first locally built JF-17 Thunder aircraft, developed with Chinese help.
Pakistan's air force plans to purchase at least 250 of the Thunder fighters over the next four to five years.
J-10 History:
The J-10, which has been over 20 years in development, was conceived as a contemporary fighter with capabilities matching those of MiG-29, Su-27 and F-16. It was initially based on the Lavi fighter, developed but later abandoned by Israel because of high costs.
The Lavi was basically a F-16 souped up using Israel's intimate knowledge of the F-16 and its shortcomings.
The first prototype of J-10 flew in 1998 but progress remained fitful as Chinese engineers doggedly fixed design and engineering flaws. A total of 9 prototypes were built before the aircraft entered initial squadron service in 2003.
To begin with, the aircraft proved a maintenance nightmare in squadron service, with nearly a 100 being built. The Chinese refused to even acknowledge the existence of the aircraft.
Development of the J-10 stabilized by 2007 with the introduction of its J-10B version. Enhancements included a modified vertical stabilizer and ventral fins, redesigned engine inlet, new radar and an infrared search and track sensor.
The Chinese then acknowledged induction of the aircraft in squadron service and released its photographs to the press.
Chengdu J-10 fighter was displayed publicly for the first time in November 2008 during the Airshow China 2008 in Zhuhai.
Future Development:
The J-10 now looks uncannily like the Eurofighter Typhoon. It is powered by WS-10A Taihang turbofan, a rip of the Saturn-Lyulka AL-31FN which the Russians refused to let the Chinese license produce.
The Chinese Navy has expressed interest in acquiring a super cruising fighter and experts speculate that a supercruising version of the J-10 may be under development. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Typhoon can supercruise at Mach 1.5.
The J-10, which is expected to serve as the backbone of the Chinese air force, is eventually expected to be fitted with a Chinese developed AESA and thrust vectoring.
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