Bangladesh is all set to build its own missile arsenal. The government in Dhaka is in the process of clinching a deal with an integrated European company MBDA for buying OTOMAT MK-II surface-to-air missiles and five launch systems. These missiles can carry a payload of 210 kg and can hit targets 180 km away.In addition, highly-placed intelligence sources say, the Bangladesh Air Force is negotiating with Turkish arms dealer ASELSAN to buy Shorad (Short Range Air Defense) system and 3D air defense radars during the current financial year.Bangladesh has already set up a missile launch pad near the Chittagong Port with assistance from China. Bangladesh's missile programme is a recent one. Its maiden missile test was conducted on May 12, with active participation of a group of Chinese experts. It successfully test-fired land attack anti-ship cruise missile C-802A with a strike range of 120 km from the frigate BNS Osman near Kutubdia Island in the Bay of Bengal.
The frigate, commissioned by the Bangladesh Navy in 1989, is a 1500-ton Chinese built Jianghu class warship, and the C-802A missile, according to experts, is a modified version of Chinese Ying Ji-802 with weight reduced from 815-715 kg to increase strike range from 42-120 km.
The radar-equipped missile can carry a 165-kg warhead. Since its guidance equipment has strong anti-jamming capability, the ships it targets have a very low success rate in intercepting the missile. The hit probability of the Ying Ji-802 is rated as 98%. It can be launched from aircraft, ships, submarines and even land-based vehicles, and is considered to be at par with the US Harpoon, the best anti-ship missiles of the present day missile system. Bangladesh building missile arsenal-India-The Times of India
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Impact of Pakistan's First Indigenous JF-17 Thunder
Pakistan's New Fighter Jets Can Change the Balance: The Impact of Pakistan's First Indigenous JF-17 Thunder
Squadron Deployment The manufacturing and deployment in Peshawar was done in a record time, one of the shortest time lines in the history of aviation.
The success story of Pakistani ingenuity and the will to survive repeated American arms embargos and Indian aggression goes far beyond this single feat. Since the uncertain days of Independence in 1947, no other country has come so far in defense production in such a short period of time. The impact of the JF-17 Thunder deployment can be heard far beyond Islamabad and Peshawar. Pakistan has now joined the ranks of the very few countries of the world that can design, produce and manufacture airplanes. This positions Pakistan on new geostrategic map. Within a few years Pakistani exports of the new fighter aircraft will exponentially grow into huge volumes. The revenue from the export of JF-17 Thunder will be ploughed back into research and development and the purchase of the best technology money can buy.After the 1965 war the U.S. placed an arms embargo on Pakistan. Despite being a founding member of SEATO and CENTO, Islamabad faced the American sanctions. During the 1971 war Pakistan was under another American arms embargo. During the 1990s, after winning the cold war for the USA, Pakistan was under U.S. sanctions and an arms embargo.All this is history.Today Pakistan is capable of producing as many planes as it needs–subject to production capacity constrains which can be ramped up if and when needed. The exports to many third world countries will expedite and enhance the production capacity of the Pakistan Air Force.
Pakistan has not only designed and jointly built the JF-17 Thunder; it now has deployed its first squadron in Peshawar–all in record time, one of the shortest time lines in the history of aviation. This is a major milestone for the Pakistan Air Force and brings it one step closer to becoming a major producer and exporter of planes around the world. About 17 countries are interested in the JF-17 Thunder which was a major attraction at the Pakistani IDEAS 2009 defense show this year. The success of the indigenous JF-17 deployment is a success story in many aviation failures around the globe. The American F-111 and the Indian Tejas are notable examples of abject failures. The most recent victims of failure are the American F-22 Raptor which was recently canceled by the U.S. Department of Defense.This success story of developing and manufacturing advanced weapons in Pakistan is not limited to the JF-17 Thunder. The Nuclear bomb, the missiles and the tanks were all produced in record time, considering that Pakistan had only one dysfunctional Textile Mill, one dilapidated University, and one archaic Jute Mill in 1947. No other country has come so far in defense production in such a short period of time.It took the Japanese from the Meiji revolution of 1893 to 1940 to produce the deadly aircrafts that devastated Pearl Harbor. The first American missiles and the entire Apollo program were built on Von Braun’s German technology. The Russian program was similarly also based on the German programs. In fact the first V2-rockets in the Museums in Washington are simply German rocket painted red 9for Russia) and other colors for America.The acidity of the comments from across the Radcliffe Line is palpable. The Indian press is noticeable only by its asphyxiated constipation. The silence is deafening.Pakistan rebounding from volatile events faced issues with many of its “allies” who were also the suppliers. The USA did not want to sell any arms to Pakistan. The UK and Russia did the same. Pakistan evaluated her dangerous geo political situation as well as a belligerent international atmosphere and made some strategic decisions. The sons and daughters of Pakistan pledged “Never again” and developed a comprehensive strategy to be self-sufficient in her defense needs. It created a nuclear deterrent, indigenous Al Khalid Tanks and a missile program that is the envy of South Asia. Neither the mercenaries sent from the across the border, not the blackmail can now harm the fabric of the country.The Pakistan Air force knew its needs, and prioritized its requirements. Both Pakistan and China had been jilted and were looking for plane to build. The new plane has exclusively been designed for Pakistani needs–deep penetration into India. The JF-17/FC-1 is designed to be a cost-effective plane which can meet the tactical and strategic needs of the Pakistani Air Force. The project was originally expected to cost about U.S. $ 500 million, divided equally between Pakistan and China. Each plane will cost Pakistan about US$ 15-20 million. The JF-17 Thunder initial development project was completed in a record period of four years. However, later improvements to the project have taken up more time.
Source: Pakistan's New Fighter Jets Can Change Balance the Impact of Pakistan’s First Indigenous JF-17 Thunder Pakistan Daily
Squadron Deployment The manufacturing and deployment in Peshawar was done in a record time, one of the shortest time lines in the history of aviation.
The success story of Pakistani ingenuity and the will to survive repeated American arms embargos and Indian aggression goes far beyond this single feat. Since the uncertain days of Independence in 1947, no other country has come so far in defense production in such a short period of time. The impact of the JF-17 Thunder deployment can be heard far beyond Islamabad and Peshawar. Pakistan has now joined the ranks of the very few countries of the world that can design, produce and manufacture airplanes. This positions Pakistan on new geostrategic map. Within a few years Pakistani exports of the new fighter aircraft will exponentially grow into huge volumes. The revenue from the export of JF-17 Thunder will be ploughed back into research and development and the purchase of the best technology money can buy.After the 1965 war the U.S. placed an arms embargo on Pakistan. Despite being a founding member of SEATO and CENTO, Islamabad faced the American sanctions. During the 1971 war Pakistan was under another American arms embargo. During the 1990s, after winning the cold war for the USA, Pakistan was under U.S. sanctions and an arms embargo.All this is history.Today Pakistan is capable of producing as many planes as it needs–subject to production capacity constrains which can be ramped up if and when needed. The exports to many third world countries will expedite and enhance the production capacity of the Pakistan Air Force.
Pakistan has not only designed and jointly built the JF-17 Thunder; it now has deployed its first squadron in Peshawar–all in record time, one of the shortest time lines in the history of aviation. This is a major milestone for the Pakistan Air Force and brings it one step closer to becoming a major producer and exporter of planes around the world. About 17 countries are interested in the JF-17 Thunder which was a major attraction at the Pakistani IDEAS 2009 defense show this year. The success of the indigenous JF-17 deployment is a success story in many aviation failures around the globe. The American F-111 and the Indian Tejas are notable examples of abject failures. The most recent victims of failure are the American F-22 Raptor which was recently canceled by the U.S. Department of Defense.This success story of developing and manufacturing advanced weapons in Pakistan is not limited to the JF-17 Thunder. The Nuclear bomb, the missiles and the tanks were all produced in record time, considering that Pakistan had only one dysfunctional Textile Mill, one dilapidated University, and one archaic Jute Mill in 1947. No other country has come so far in defense production in such a short period of time.It took the Japanese from the Meiji revolution of 1893 to 1940 to produce the deadly aircrafts that devastated Pearl Harbor. The first American missiles and the entire Apollo program were built on Von Braun’s German technology. The Russian program was similarly also based on the German programs. In fact the first V2-rockets in the Museums in Washington are simply German rocket painted red 9for Russia) and other colors for America.The acidity of the comments from across the Radcliffe Line is palpable. The Indian press is noticeable only by its asphyxiated constipation. The silence is deafening.Pakistan rebounding from volatile events faced issues with many of its “allies” who were also the suppliers. The USA did not want to sell any arms to Pakistan. The UK and Russia did the same. Pakistan evaluated her dangerous geo political situation as well as a belligerent international atmosphere and made some strategic decisions. The sons and daughters of Pakistan pledged “Never again” and developed a comprehensive strategy to be self-sufficient in her defense needs. It created a nuclear deterrent, indigenous Al Khalid Tanks and a missile program that is the envy of South Asia. Neither the mercenaries sent from the across the border, not the blackmail can now harm the fabric of the country.The Pakistan Air force knew its needs, and prioritized its requirements. Both Pakistan and China had been jilted and were looking for plane to build. The new plane has exclusively been designed for Pakistani needs–deep penetration into India. The JF-17/FC-1 is designed to be a cost-effective plane which can meet the tactical and strategic needs of the Pakistani Air Force. The project was originally expected to cost about U.S. $ 500 million, divided equally between Pakistan and China. Each plane will cost Pakistan about US$ 15-20 million. The JF-17 Thunder initial development project was completed in a record period of four years. However, later improvements to the project have taken up more time.
Source: Pakistan's New Fighter Jets Can Change Balance the Impact of Pakistan’s First Indigenous JF-17 Thunder Pakistan Daily
Thursday, May 7, 2009
JF-17 Huge Export Potential sales could go upto 1500
Market viability As a MiG-21 and F-5 replacement, there is obviously a huge market, perhaps a lot larger than everyone realizes. The large number of lesser-known Third World air forces in the world could all chip in to make a significant order. It is my belief that the JF-17 final count could be closer to1500. Below is indicated potential sales count by country that the JF-17 could possibly expect over the next 2 decades.Country Projected SalesAlbania–20, Argentina–50, Azerbaijan–6, Bangladesh–20, Bolivia–30, China-150, Congo-30, Egypt-150, Eritrea-12, Ethiopia-30,Indonesia-6, Iran-150, Lebanon-6, Malaysia-40, Morocco-20, Myanmar-30, Nigeria-30, North Korea-200, Pakistan-250, Sri Lanka-12, Sudan-20, Syria-50, Tanzania-6, Thailand-40, Venezuela-40.
Source: grandestrategy.com/2007/06/light-sabre-for-third-world-fc-1-jf-17.htmlGrande Strategy: A Light Sabre for the Third World: The FC-1 / JF-17.
Source: grandestrategy.com/2007/06/light-sabre-for-third-world-fc-1-jf-17.htmlGrande Strategy: A Light Sabre for the Third World: The FC-1 / JF-17.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
China and Taiwan sign agreements
BEIJING - China and Taiwan signed three agreements Sunday that will enhance economic ties between the rivals and increase the frequency of flights, amid efforts by Taiwan's president to improve relations with Beijing.
One agreement, signed at a meeting in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, sets the stage for financial services firms to open branches in each other's territory, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.
A separate agreement will increase the number of direct flights between the two and open new routes to the Chinese mainland.
Taiwan and the mainland split in 1949 and have no formal ties, but investment and indirect trade have flourished since Taiwan eased its ban on contacts with China in the 1990s. The Taiwanese have long feared that China could gain control of its economy, but the current economic slowdown has forced the island to take bold market-opening measures.
Chen Yunlin, head of Beijing's semiofficial Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait, said Sunday that the strengthening cooperation will help the two sides cope with the global economic downturn, which has severely hit both economies.
"The mainland will buy more products from Taiwan and send more tourists to the island, while encouraging more Taiwan enterprises to set up on the mainland to maintain stable development," Chen said.
Sunday's pact will enable financial services firms to establish branches in each other's territory and allows for the creation of a currency-clearing mechanism, Xinhua said.
The two sides also agreed to increase the frequency of direct flights from 108 to 270 flights a week and open new routes to Taiwan from six mainland cities. A third agreement was signed to permit cooperation in criminal investigations.
Taiwan limits direct travel and shipping links for fear of domination by its giant neighbor. Beijing claims the democratic island as part of its territory and has threatened repeatedly to invade if it tries to make its de facto independence permanent or delays talks on uniting the two sides.
Negotiators also started to pave the way for investment by mainland companies to be allowed in the island, with Taiwan saying it would announce related guidelines and measures. Taiwanese officials say any investment agreement is likely to bar Chinese access to sectors deemed critical to the island's security.
The talks were the third round of high-level negotiations between China and Taiwan since Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office last May. In the earlier rounds, they agreed to begin daily charter flights and direct sea and postal service and to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan. The next round of meetings is scheduled to be held in Taipei in the latter half of the year.
Ma is pushing for an agreement to ease trade barriers, which he says is needed to keep Taiwan competitive.
Taiwanese companies have invested more than $100 billion in the mainland and business leaders complain they are hurt by restrictions on finance and trade.
(AP)
One agreement, signed at a meeting in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, sets the stage for financial services firms to open branches in each other's territory, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.
A separate agreement will increase the number of direct flights between the two and open new routes to the Chinese mainland.
Taiwan and the mainland split in 1949 and have no formal ties, but investment and indirect trade have flourished since Taiwan eased its ban on contacts with China in the 1990s. The Taiwanese have long feared that China could gain control of its economy, but the current economic slowdown has forced the island to take bold market-opening measures.
Chen Yunlin, head of Beijing's semiofficial Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait, said Sunday that the strengthening cooperation will help the two sides cope with the global economic downturn, which has severely hit both economies.
"The mainland will buy more products from Taiwan and send more tourists to the island, while encouraging more Taiwan enterprises to set up on the mainland to maintain stable development," Chen said.
Sunday's pact will enable financial services firms to establish branches in each other's territory and allows for the creation of a currency-clearing mechanism, Xinhua said.
The two sides also agreed to increase the frequency of direct flights from 108 to 270 flights a week and open new routes to Taiwan from six mainland cities. A third agreement was signed to permit cooperation in criminal investigations.
Taiwan limits direct travel and shipping links for fear of domination by its giant neighbor. Beijing claims the democratic island as part of its territory and has threatened repeatedly to invade if it tries to make its de facto independence permanent or delays talks on uniting the two sides.
Negotiators also started to pave the way for investment by mainland companies to be allowed in the island, with Taiwan saying it would announce related guidelines and measures. Taiwanese officials say any investment agreement is likely to bar Chinese access to sectors deemed critical to the island's security.
The talks were the third round of high-level negotiations between China and Taiwan since Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office last May. In the earlier rounds, they agreed to begin daily charter flights and direct sea and postal service and to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan. The next round of meetings is scheduled to be held in Taipei in the latter half of the year.
Ma is pushing for an agreement to ease trade barriers, which he says is needed to keep Taiwan competitive.
Taiwanese companies have invested more than $100 billion in the mainland and business leaders complain they are hurt by restrictions on finance and trade.
(AP)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Pratt & Whitney Begins Production of the Next Generation of F100 Series Engines
Pratt & Whitney, maker of the F100 engine family that powers the F-16 and F-15 military fighter jets operated by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and the Air Forces of 22 allied nations, have begun production of the first F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) engines. The F100-PW-229 EEP represents the latest evolution in the F100 series of engines, recognized worldwide for its safety, reliability and cost effective operation."The F100-PW-229 EEP is another example of Pratt & Whitney's pioneering work in fighter engine technology," said Warren Boley, Vice President of Pratt & Whitney Military Programs and Customer Support. "Not only does it offer superior performance capabilities for our armed forces, it reduces maintenance and life cycle costs at a time when value and efficiency are top priorities on the nation's agenda."The F100-PW-229 EEP incorporates groundbreaking technology developed for the F135 and F119 propulsion systems, the world's only fifth-generation fighter jet engines. The F100-229 EEP will provide advanced, dependable power for F-16 and F-15 aircraft around the world. In response to strong customer demand, the first engines will begin delivery of the new configuration in October of this year.The F100-PW-229 EEP was created to dramatically decrease the cost of ownership without impacting performance. This was accomplished by increasing the engine depot inspection interval from 4,300 to 6,000 cycles and increasing durability of key components while maintaining the 29,100 pound thrust rating. The inspection interval increase extends the amount of time between scheduled depot maintenance from the average of 7-9 years to over 10-14 years depending on utilization rates. This increase consequently should reduce life cycle costs by 30 percent over the life of the engine. The F100-PW-229 EEP continues to be the only fighter engine funded and qualified by the U.S. Air Force to the 6,000 cycle capability.Pratt & Whitney will offer customers the option to purchase the F100-PW-229 EEP as a complete engine or as an upgrade kit that will be made available to all -229 operators near the end of 2010."The U.S. Air Force and several other operators of the P&W F100-PW-229 engine have expressed interest in having upgrade kits to modify their existing engines, so we're working diligently to provide this capability for our customers," Boley said.Initially, 74 F100-PW-229 EEP engines have been ordered, with the first delivery set for Republic of Korea. Additional deliveries will be headed to Morocco and Pakistan in early 2010.Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Source: http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/industrials/pratt--whitney-begins-production-generation-f-series-engines/
Source: http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/industrials/pratt--whitney-begins-production-generation-f-series-engines/
Saturday, April 18, 2009
China Navy Influence
China Navy patrols in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden is intended to extend China's naval role and presence far from its shores while demonstrating, under United Nations rules of engagement, a capability to conduct complex operations in distant waters.
Taking on pirates under the placard of internationalism offers China a welcome opportunity to add force to its global power ambitions. The anti piracy plank earlier made it handy for Beijing to agree to joint patrols with other countries in the Arabian Sea and extend cooperation to international anti piracy mission. Another China objective is to chip away at US maritime dominance in the Region a theater critical to fashioning a China-centric Asia. If China can assert naval power in the Gulf of Aden to expand its influence over the regional waterways and states, it will emerge as the preeminent Asian power.
The geopolitical importance of the Gulf of Aden today is beginning to rival that of the Pacific. Much of the global oil-export supply passes through the Indian Ocean region, particularly through two constricted passageways — the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, and the piracy-plagued Strait of Malacca.
Asserting naval presence in the Gulf of Aden and expanding maritime power in the Pacific are part of the high-stakes game of maritime chess China is now ready to play. Its buildup of naval forces directly challenges U.S. navel activities.
China, under girding its larger geostrategic motives, says it is considering adding to its navy fleet a first aircraft carrier — a symbol of a nation's comprehensive power.
China navy modernization. Since 2000 alone, China has built at least 60 warships. Its navy now has a fleet of 860 vessels, including 60 submarines.
There is a clear strategic shift under way in China navy planning. Historically a major land power, China is now putting the accent on building long-range maritime power to help underpin geopolitical interests, including winning new allies and safeguarding its energy and economic investments in distant lands. China has been in the lead in avariciously acquiring energy and mineral assets in Sudan, Nigeria, Iran, Venezuela, Myanmar, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and other states. Through naval power-projection capability.
More significantly, rising naval power arms China with the heft to pursue mercantilist efforts to lock up long-term energy supplies, assert control over transport routes, and assemble a form of listening posts and special naval-access arrangements along the great trade arteries.
China naval power is set to grow exponentially. This will become evident as Beijing accelerates its construction of warships and begins to deploy naval assets far from its exclusive economic zone. In fact, China warships inducted in recent years have already been geared for blue-sea fleet operations. China is on track to deploy a fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (known as SSBNs). It has already developed its new Jin-class (Type 094) SSBN prototype, with satellite pictures showing one such submarine at the new China naval base at Sanya, on the southern coast of Hainan Island. Within the next 10 years, China could have more nuclear submarines and warships at sea in the future.
China Navy is extending its operations to a crucial international passageway the Indian Ocean. China indeed has moved in recent years to build ports in the Indian Ocean, including in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. China has sought naval links with the Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.
Taking on pirates under the placard of internationalism offers China a welcome opportunity to add force to its global power ambitions. The anti piracy plank earlier made it handy for Beijing to agree to joint patrols with other countries in the Arabian Sea and extend cooperation to international anti piracy mission. Another China objective is to chip away at US maritime dominance in the Region a theater critical to fashioning a China-centric Asia. If China can assert naval power in the Gulf of Aden to expand its influence over the regional waterways and states, it will emerge as the preeminent Asian power.
The geopolitical importance of the Gulf of Aden today is beginning to rival that of the Pacific. Much of the global oil-export supply passes through the Indian Ocean region, particularly through two constricted passageways — the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, and the piracy-plagued Strait of Malacca.
Asserting naval presence in the Gulf of Aden and expanding maritime power in the Pacific are part of the high-stakes game of maritime chess China is now ready to play. Its buildup of naval forces directly challenges U.S. navel activities.
China, under girding its larger geostrategic motives, says it is considering adding to its navy fleet a first aircraft carrier — a symbol of a nation's comprehensive power.
China navy modernization. Since 2000 alone, China has built at least 60 warships. Its navy now has a fleet of 860 vessels, including 60 submarines.
There is a clear strategic shift under way in China navy planning. Historically a major land power, China is now putting the accent on building long-range maritime power to help underpin geopolitical interests, including winning new allies and safeguarding its energy and economic investments in distant lands. China has been in the lead in avariciously acquiring energy and mineral assets in Sudan, Nigeria, Iran, Venezuela, Myanmar, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and other states. Through naval power-projection capability.
More significantly, rising naval power arms China with the heft to pursue mercantilist efforts to lock up long-term energy supplies, assert control over transport routes, and assemble a form of listening posts and special naval-access arrangements along the great trade arteries.
China naval power is set to grow exponentially. This will become evident as Beijing accelerates its construction of warships and begins to deploy naval assets far from its exclusive economic zone. In fact, China warships inducted in recent years have already been geared for blue-sea fleet operations. China is on track to deploy a fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (known as SSBNs). It has already developed its new Jin-class (Type 094) SSBN prototype, with satellite pictures showing one such submarine at the new China naval base at Sanya, on the southern coast of Hainan Island. Within the next 10 years, China could have more nuclear submarines and warships at sea in the future.
China Navy is extending its operations to a crucial international passageway the Indian Ocean. China indeed has moved in recent years to build ports in the Indian Ocean, including in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. China has sought naval links with the Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.
Monday, April 13, 2009
SU-33 FIGHTER AND CHINA
LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF SU-33 FIGHTER AND CHINA
After the recent air show in Zhuhai, some Western media reported that China was negotiating with SUKHOI on the procurement of 14 Su33 ship-borne fighters, claiming that the contract on the deal will be signed very soon. On this particular issue, KDR interviewed Boris D. Bregman, the First Deputy General Director of SUKHOI Aircraft Company. He said that the talks with China were all at consultation stage and no official negotiation had been initiated so far. Of course, contacts between the two sides are still underway.The speculation that China intends to import 14 Su33 fighters comes from the Russian military industry delegation attending the Zhuhai Air Show. On this issue, Kanwa had interviews with several of the Russian delegates related to this system. The situation is summarized as follows: other sources from the Russian military industry said that China told them in the first place that they would eventually need approximately 50 Su33 fighters to arm several aircraft carrier battle groups. By the way, the news that China will build aircraft carriers was publicized in Russia sometime before, and China will very likely imitate the Russian aircraft on the foundation of the two Su33 they purchase. Later, China told them that after careful assessment, China would need at least 14 Su33 fighters in the first phase, which would be imported in form of 7 plus 7. Russian side refused this proposal. The source believes that the production of only 7 in the first batch is obviously too small in scale and as a result cannot offset the cost of constructing the production facilities as the production of Su33 fighters has already suspended.What type of Su33 will be likely exported to China? Mr. Bregman told Kanwa that they could be any upgraded variant of the fighter. Determined by the specific request from the clients, Su33 can undergo substantial upgrades. Earlier, Western report said that Su33K (referring to Su33 fighters specifically designed for China) could be upgraded to the standard of Su30MK2 or even fitted with IRBIS or BARS phased array radar. The former is currently installed on Su35 fighters. However, Kanwa believes such report is clearly wrong. IRBIS’s maximum power output is 20kW, and therefore Su33’s power supply is far from enough. As to the BARS passive phased array radar, it is mainly employed on the Su30MKM/MKI fighters of the Malaysian Air Force and the Indian Air Force. Whether this radar could be exported to China has not yet been officially approved by the Russian Defense Ministry. The above testaments indicate that at least by the end of 2008, China and Russia has not yet been able to reach agreement on the procurement of Su33 fighters, and the negotiations on the deal are still in the start-up stage. In that event, the priority for China in 2009 will be the construction of aircraft carrier, while at the same time attention will be placed on the selection of exact types of ship-borne fighters. Due to the fact that the cycle of aircraft carrier construction is at least 5 to 6 years, it is not impossible that China may develop the ship-borne variant of J10A and J11BH fighters during that period. The possibility of restarting the Su33 production line eventually does exist, however. This is mainly because the Russian Navy is about to resume its own “Grand Aircraft Carrier Program”. Aviation weapon observers based in Moscow say that a more realistic purchase order of Su33 fighter is 24 so as to make the restarting of the production line cost effective.
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