On April 8, 2019 I wrote that Japan is frustrated that its twinjet F-15Js (ideal for intercepts) are wearing out doing so many peaceful interceptions. The 147 single engined F-35s that Japan has bought are basically underpowered for the peaceful intercept job - being relativey too slow horizontally and in climb rates. The F-35 is also not power-control surface configured to do the agile vectoring required of an air superiority fighter.
The Lockheed Martin comeback that the F-35s can perform interceptions with missiles from beyond visual range is not useful for peacetime interception when the interceptee has to visually see and then be escorted out by the interceptor. Hence a powerful (twinjet) aircraft is needed - preferably with more modern stealth levels than 4th generation F-15s.
Given the US's woeful decision (in 2006) not to export its twinjet 5th generation F-22 it is likely the US will decide not to export its proposed 6th generation F-X air superiority fighter. In any case the 20 year lead times for the F-35 and F-22 suggest the F-X will only be available to its likely only permitted customer, the US, in the late 2030s.
Russia has successfuly continued selling Kilo submarines to export customers for decades. More recently China is demonstrating that it can sell Yuan submarines (to Pakistan and Thailand) - submarines part reverse engineered from Russian Kilos.
So why can't Russia and China sell advanced air superiority fighters, with stealth features to a greater variety, of countries? Russia was over-ambitious in going into a joint venture with India for developing Russia's fifth generation fighter PAK FA aka Su-57. India brought money to the project but India had no substantial stealth technological background to contribute.
In contrast a Russian-Chinese joint stealth dynamic would be different and may be already occurring with Russia's export of Su-35s with to China (see Diplomat) (also to India and Egypt). Advanced Su-35 vectoring, supercruise Saturn AL-41F1S engines are a particular attraction.
Such a defacto stealth development could produce results and for Russia's and China's it could avoid their duplication of stealth effort.
A Russian Chinese twin-jet stealth air-superiortity fighter might be the result by the late 2020s. Sales of export versions to Japan, India, France and other major customers may result.
After 4 more years of isolationist Trumpism (2020-early 2025) and suffering the US's continuing twinjet stealth embargo, countries will need to be more self-reliant from the US "alliance". Major countries may increasingly emulate India's policy of non-aligned arms purchasing from many powers.
Also those same major countries might have already bought F-35 stealth technology at the US's monopoly pricing and not want to suffer the same poor buying position again...
Pete
The Lockheed Martin comeback that the F-35s can perform interceptions with missiles from beyond visual range is not useful for peacetime interception when the interceptee has to visually see and then be escorted out by the interceptor. Hence a powerful (twinjet) aircraft is needed - preferably with more modern stealth levels than 4th generation F-15s.
Given the US's woeful decision (in 2006) not to export its twinjet 5th generation F-22 it is likely the US will decide not to export its proposed 6th generation F-X air superiority fighter. In any case the 20 year lead times for the F-35 and F-22 suggest the F-X will only be available to its likely only permitted customer, the US, in the late 2030s.
Russia has successfuly continued selling Kilo submarines to export customers for decades. More recently China is demonstrating that it can sell Yuan submarines (to Pakistan and Thailand) - submarines part reverse engineered from Russian Kilos.
So why can't Russia and China sell advanced air superiority fighters, with stealth features to a greater variety, of countries? Russia was over-ambitious in going into a joint venture with India for developing Russia's fifth generation fighter PAK FA aka Su-57. India brought money to the project but India had no substantial stealth technological background to contribute.
In contrast a Russian-Chinese joint stealth dynamic would be different and may be already occurring with Russia's export of Su-35s with to China (see Diplomat) (also to India and Egypt). Advanced Su-35 vectoring, supercruise Saturn AL-41F1S engines are a particular attraction.
Such a defacto stealth development could produce results and for Russia's and China's it could avoid their duplication of stealth effort.
A Russian Chinese twin-jet stealth air-superiortity fighter might be the result by the late 2020s. Sales of export versions to Japan, India, France and other major customers may result.
After 4 more years of isolationist Trumpism (2020-early 2025) and suffering the US's continuing twinjet stealth embargo, countries will need to be more self-reliant from the US "alliance". Major countries may increasingly emulate India's policy of non-aligned arms purchasing from many powers.
Also those same major countries might have already bought F-35 stealth technology at the US's monopoly pricing and not want to suffer the same poor buying position again...
Pete