Like Russia and the Soviet Union before it, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has concentrated authority for export of weapons systems into a monopoly of state-run military trading companies. In the case of combat aircraft, the entity responsible is the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (Catic).
Catic has traditionally had a list of sometimes unremarkable products to offer prospective customers, but that has changed with the development of new programs from both the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) and its rivals at the Shenyang Aircraft Works (SAC).
Foremost among these is the Chengdu J-20, which appears to be a stealth aircraft as questions continue about how successful its radar cross-section (RCS) reduction design has been. This is based on numerous photos of more recent versions powered with what appears to be a new Chinese-built WS-10 jet engine variant in which the exhaust nozzle is designed with saw-tooth edge petals to reduce the rear hemisphere signature.
It is estimated that only four low-rate initial production variants of the WS-10-powered J-20 exist. Previous models appear to be powered by the Salyut AL-31F engine fitted to the Sukhoi Su-27, although Russian sources state the Chengdu design team has shown interest in the Su-35’s AL-41FS-series engine as another option.
Chengdu’s other major program is the single-engine J-10 fighter, which resembles the design of the Israel Aircraft Industries Lavi technology demonstrator. The latest version features a redesigned diverterless supersonic inlet and is also powered with a WS-10 variant over the AL-31FN originally designed by Salyut for this program.
The last of the three major Chengdu programs is the JF-17 single-engine lightweight fighter that is cooperatively produced with the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra. On December 28, 2019, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) rolled out its first batch of what will be two-seat models of the JF-17 Block III design.
“To mark this momentous occasion, a grand ceremony was held at Aircraft Manufacturing Factory Kamra, where Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan was the chief guest,” according to a spokesperson for the PAF. The event was also attended by the Chinese ambassador, Yao Jing, and Aviation Industries of China executive vice president Hao Zhaoping.
The Air Chief singled out Catic for successfully meeting its 2019 production targets and congratulated the design team for completing the two-seat JF-17 in a record timeframe of five months, calling it a “true manifestation of everlasting friendship between both countries.”
The Air Chief also cut the ribbon on a new JF-17 dual-seat integration facility at the PAC Avionics Production Factory. “The facility will enable PAF to integrate avionics and weapon systems of choice with JF-17 aircraft, ultimately providing much-needed self-reliance and operational flexibility,” according to a PAF statement.
SAC’s entry in the new lineup for Catic is the FC-31 fighter, which resembles the U.S. F-35 in many respects, but is powered with two Russian-made Klimov RD-93 engines. The program has been through more than one major redesign and is now being discussed as the basis for a new carrier-capable aircraft.
These designs now give Catic a full lineup of products to offer for sale abroad. Having overcome the hurdle of being able to design modern-day platforms, the next challenge will be to find countries that are willing to jettison traditional suppliers in the U.S. and Europe and put their faith in Chinese industry.