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Entry: Inventing Islam Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/inventing_islam#15557 Post contents: Stan, That WAS true, but Russia reversed itself (again) (Courtesy of Richard Fisher 2007 Dubai Airshow Report) "Since the Dubai show Russia’s Kommersant has reported that Russia has approved the Klimov RD93 engine in the FC-1/JF-17 for re-export to six countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Re-export to Pakistan had been an issue of serious contention between Russia and India, which uses the RD33, the basis for the RD93, in its MiG-29 fighters. Russia’s decision is a blow for Delhi, which will now face the JF-17 in significant numbers not only in Pakistan but also potentially in Bangladesh. China will also soon be able to arm the FC-1/JF-17 with 5th generation air-to-air missiles, such as the PL-10 derived from the South African Denel A-DARTER, and another radar-guided missile derived from the Denel R-DARTER. These weapons will greatly increase the combat potential of this low-cost but modern platform. At the same time, it is a major boost for Pakistan’s and China’s effort to promote the FC-1/JF-17 as the pre-eminent low-cost 4th generation multirole fighter. Until South Korea can market a single-seat combat version of its T/A-50 trainer, the FC-1/JF-17 will face no competition in its price range. The willingness of China and Pakistan to transfer full co-production capability will enhance the attractiveness of this fighter to many countries also looking to bolster their developing aerospace industries" Ron, Your information is about 15 years old. The Chinese defense industry has grown and developed very rapidly starting around 1994, and is now producing some interesting, though not yet leading-edge weapons platforms. As one watcher put it "this is not you father's PLA". In the case of Fighter Aircraft they are now producing the J10, a kind of F16 on steroids, not the F22 or F35, but nothing to sneeze at either. The Chinese-manufactured SU-27s also have better fit and finish and lower friction than Russian-manufactured ones (the Chinese have better machine tools). As for the Chinese anti-ship missiles, there is some confusion on the Hanit as to exactly what was fired, whether it was a Chinese-made C80x series missile or an Iranian copy, or what, nobody is willing to produce the physical evidence. In any event, the C-80x is fairly electromagnetic-resistant as it is largely independent of datalinks, unlike some cruise missiles like the Sunburn, which can be foiled by jamming the datalink to the ship. The newest Chinese weaponry in general now has more advanced electronics than anything the Russians can produce because Russia has so little domestic electronics industry. Sent at: 2008 12 02