Argentine technical mission to China to evaluate JF-17

In the coming weeks a technical delegation from Argentina's Air Force will be travelling to China to assess the convenience of purchasing Chinese jet fighters to replace the obsolete French made Mirages.
Only a month ago president Cristina Fernandez was in Beijing where she sealed an “integral strategic alliance” with China.
Negotiations remain secret but according to Argentine sources the purchase could range between 14 and 20 aircraft, basically the FC-1/F-17 'Thunder'. The single engine fighter is considered modern, affordable for developing countries, and has been tested in combat.
Another option is the Chengdu J-10B, and according to the website China Military Online, closely linked to the Red Army, this fighter has the capability of confronting the “RAFs' Typhoons stationed in the Falkland Islands”.
Likewise Argentina's defense links with China are believed to be quite advanced in reference to the supply of 'Malvinas Class' offshore patrol vessels, a polar icebreaker exploration vessel to replace the ”Almirante Irizar” and the 21-ton infantry armored vehicle Norinco VN1 8x8 with 105 mm gun and 120 mm mortar-armed versions, which also includes an amphibious version.
If the agreement is concluded, it could mark a major step in Argentina's long-standing effort to revive its military capabilities and would constitute a major success for China's 15-year endeavor to expand its military influence and market share in Latin America.
mercopress

J-10B Will Be Soon Inducted to China's Air Force

China's air force will soon commission the J-10B fighter jet, the most advanced military aircraft the country has ever developed on its own.
Several pictures showing 14 of the planes lined up outside an unidentified aircraft factory have been circulating on military websites. Experts said their gray paint scheme indicates that they will soon be delivered to the People's Liberation Army air force.
It is also possible and feasible that the J-10B's upgraded version will be chosen by the navy to serve on an aircraft carrier.
The J-10B is an improved variant of the J-10A, which is manufactured by the Chengdu, a subsidiary of the State-owned giant Aviation Industry Corp of China.
Western military sources said the jet had its first flight in December 2008, and mass production started in 2013.
The new fighter has an increase of at least 30 percent in overall capability compared with its predecessor.
The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 19 metric tons and can carry a payload of up to 8 tons. Its combat radius can reach to about 1,000 kilometers.
ecns.cn

Former China PLAAF Pilot says Argentina has bought J-10 'Typhoon beater'

A former PLAAF pilot has published an article on China Military Online advocating that Argentina buys the J-10B combat aircraft
Argentine-Chinese talks on aerospace co-operation have previously focused on the less capable JF-17 FC-1.
China Military Online, the website of the semi-official PLA Daily newspaper, has published an analysis advancing the case for China to supply the Argentine Air Force with the J-10B combat aircraft rather than the CAC/PAC JF-17/FC-1. The article was published a week after the visit to China by Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner early this month and the reported establishment of a joint Chinese-Argentine fighter aircraft working group.
janes

China J-10B fighter may be close to entering service

A photo posted on the internet indicates that the J-10B, the upgraded version of China's's J-10 fighter is almost ready for service.
The photo shows more than 10 J-10B fighters parked on an unidentified airfield in China. After the J-10A went out of production last year, the first J-10B is likely to be commissioned in 2015.
The plane was originally designed for use with the domestically developed WS-10 Taihang turbofan engine but will use the Russian AL31FN engine as the Taihang engine is not yet ready. Due to its reliance on the engines provided by Russia, China is still unable to produce the J-10B in large numbers.
The first J-10B to enter service will be with the PLA Air Force units that currently deploy the J-10A. After that, it is likely to serve the PLA Navy's East Sea Fleet as an ground attack aircraft. The Russian-built Su-30MKK was originally earmarked for this role, but PLA Navy believes the fighter is better suited to taking on Taiwan's F-16 fighters in aerial combat.
wantchinatimes

New pictures of J-10B revealed

A new batch of mass-produced Chengdu J-10B fighters are undergoing flight and taxi tests, Chinese media has reported saying that the aircraft will enter service "soon".
The J-10B is an improved variant of the Chengdu J-10 manufactured the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of AVIC.
The J-10B's key differences from the J-10A include a redesigned chin intake, a longer nose radome that is believed to house an NRIET active electronically scanned array radar; and an electro-optic targeting sensor.
janes

Pakistan Deal for Chinese J-10 Fighters Uncertain

Tough International Monetary Fund conditions on Pakistan and concerns about untested technology likely will delay Islamabad’s plan to buy 36 J-10B Vigorous Dragon from China.
Under IMF loan terms, the government faces harsh conditions on raising revenue and controlling spending, including on military equipment.
A Chinese defense delegation visited Pakistan the last week of September to discuss the status of stalled defense deals. Whether this included the J-10 order is unclear.
The J-10B Super-10 is an advanced variant of the J-10A, first fielded in late 2003 with China’s Air Force. The new Super-10 will reportedly be powered by the Chinese-designed WS-10A turbofan engine, which will replace the J-10A’s Russian Saturn AL-31FN. Built by Chengdu Aircraft Industries, the jet is based on Israel’s Lavi indigenous fighter program by Israel Aerospace Industries that was canceled in 1987.
defensenews

Preproduction J-10B Vigorous Dragon Fighter Starts Flight Testing

Preproduction J-10B Vigorous Dragon fighter jet starts flight testing. J-10B is proving to be more then just a test aircraft and People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) may induct few J-10Bs before it starts inducting fifth generation aircrafts.

globalmilitaryreview