JMSDF v PLAN

[jakec]

Here is a PLANAF Y-8AEW doing "coastguard" duty during the recent Sino-Russian joint exercise. According to Chinese military forums, yes it does have datalink capability and demonstrated this during these exercises for OTH targetting by other platforms.

[jakec]

Well, my friend, this artickle doesn´t really support your claims:

 

http://www.sinodefence.com/news/2005/news05-07-31.asp

 

I´m not saying you are wrong, but... 

 

Great photo of the J-10 in the article by the way! (Doesn´t really look like an F-16, does it?)

219704[/snapback]

 

Not at all inconsistent, PLA are just hedging their bets (past attempts at designing a military turbofan have ended in tears):

 

http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pub.../pub_detail.asp

 

 

Russian Or Chinese Sukhois?

 

Several sources at the show noted that there is no indication that China and Russia have resolved their conflict over the means of China acquisition of future Sukhoi fighters. Will it be by purchase from Russia or upgrading in Russia, or will it involve a "Sincized" Sukhoi to be developed and produced in China? Since early 2004 deliveries of KnAAPO-produced Su-27SK/J-11 "kits" for the Shenyang Aircraft Company have been halted. . A source at the show noted that of the 105 kits reported delivered—out of a 1996 contract that called for 200—80 to 100 have been built. A Chinese source has recently noted that up to 100 have been built. Sukhoi has been heavily marketing its upgrade package called the Su-27SMK, which features radar, avionic and weapon upgrades, but the PLA has not shown great interest.

 

Instead, China has been quite visibly developing its own version of the J-11 using the basic Su-27 airframe, but with a Chinese multi-mode radar, a new Chinese turbofan engine, plus new Chinese weapons and avionics. Shenyang’s intention to take this route has been evident from models on display at headquarters building since at least 2002. Comparing opinions at this year’s show to those at the 2003 MAKS, the Chinese are developing more confidence in their abilities to manufacture the radar and engines to make their indigenized J-11 a success. Between the two shows, moreover, many Russian assessments of the time it will take them to succeed have been reduced from 10 years to 5 years.

 

Russian engine makers appear quite familiar with the degree of progress China is making in its WS-10A advanced turbofan program, which seeks to make an engine slightly more powerful than the Saturn/Alyuka AL-31 that powers the Su-27. One source noted that China is still facing problems reducing the weight of the WS-10A’s primary and secondary compressors. In 2004 a Russian source noted the WS-10A was not meeting thrust goals, but that the engine might still end up in production. These delays have led the Chinese to hedge: they signed a contract in June for delivery of 100 AL-31FNs for the Chengdu J-10, to be delivered before the end of 2006. According to Russian reports this number could grow to 150 more for a total of 250. Another source indicated that while China is developing its own thrust-vector technology for this engine, it may still end up buying the Russian thrust vector system for the Russian engines it purchases.

[jakec]

TOKYO, Sept 13 (AFP) - Japan's navy said Tuesday it was keeping a close eye on Chinese military moves after five warships were spotted near disputed gas fields and the reported incursion of a spy plane.

 

Japan said Friday it saw Chinese warships, including a destroyer, for the first time near the gas field in the East China Sea amid high tension between the two countries.

 

"We are aware of most of their (China's) activities and we will do our utmost to monitor the situation," said Admiral Takashi Saito, the chief of staff of Japan's navy, known as the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

 

The ships were seen just on China's side of what Japan considers the dividing line in the sea. China does not recognize the line.

 

The incident came two days before a general election that saw a landslide victory for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who has presided over deteriorating relations with China since coming to office in 2001.

 

Kyodo News, citing unnamed sources in a dispatch from Washington, said a Chinese spy plane was spotted twice in August over the East China Sea south of mainland Japan's southern island of Kyushu.

 

The plane was flying in Japanese airspace and could likely catch radio waves and electronic data from Japanese warships or military facilities, it said.

 

China has never confirmed the existence of such a plane but the US Defense Department believes Beijing is focusing on "electronic warfare" as it expands its military spending, the report said.

 

Japan's Defense Agency is aware of the spy plane report but had no immediate comment, a spokesman said.

 

Both Japan and the United States have recently expressed concern about China's growing military spending.

 

Koizumi's government in July gave permission for the first time to a company to explore the gas fields, angering China, which began drilling unilaterally in 2003.

 

Koizumi has also infuriated Beijing by visiting a shrine that honors Japanese war dead including convicted World War II war criminals.