1. Most recently Russians were in Pakistan for the second time to help on some ToT on the AL-31 core. Just as they did before on the TD-93. It’s more flexible but also opaque than you think.
2. Russia does not support or otherwise - it’s plain cash - and the same process as with RD-93 will follow. First 100 came from China - then the direct connection was with Klimov for overhaul ToT and even engine improvements.
“The JF-17 program" was initially a Chinese-Pakistani cooperative project. Later, due to engine problems, it was changed to a tripartite program between China, Pakistan and Russia. Later, Russia withdrew from the program due to strong opposition from India (a VIP customer of Russian military industry). The engine issue was changed to a “Russia-China, China-Pakistan” deal. Later, the Chinese copycat model WS13 did not get Pakistan's approval, and Pakistan still decided to continue to use Russian engines. ------ This is information from Chinese media.
As time continues to evolve, it is inevitable that Russia will engage in direct exchanges with Pakistan on the engine for the JF-17. However, the authorized production is another level. Unless the Indian government completely falls into the US camp (which is hardly likely), Russia's deep military cooperation with Pakistan is bound to be protested by India. Of course, Russia could also use this approach to threaten India to buy more Russian weapons.
Analyzing the international situation, the likelihood of India purchasing the Su-57 (possibly including a production line and modest technology transfer) is very high. Since Russia is currently heavily dependent on China for support, they must consider the implications for China of “selling Su-57s to India”.
So the likely scenario is:
Step 1: Russia sells a small number of Su-57s (not more than 12) to China. (It is also possible for Russia to reassure China in other ways to avoid protests from China.)
Step 2: Russia sells a large number of Su-57s to India, some of which will be produced locally in Russia and most of which will be produced under license in India. May come with some technology transfer. But this is surely a huge deal.
India has no other better option at the moment and Russia is in dire need of a lot of money. So, Russia's actions are predictable.
I am not sure what model CATIC or SAC follow - maybe
@Michael can shed some light
I'm sorry, I don't know what you want to know.
If you want to understand the complete process of “Su27-J16”, there are many videos on Youtube.com. I can briefly explain its stages.
Step 1. China buys the complete original Su-27 directly from Russia.
Step 2. China buys all parts from Russia and assembles them at SAC, i.e. J-11, which can only use Russian missiles.
Step 3: China modified the J-11 and upgraded the fire control system, i.e. J-11A, which can use both Chinese and Russian missiles.
Step 4. China further improves and fully upgrades the J-11A and localizes all the parts, i.e. J-11B.
What happens after this is well known. If we use this process to describe the JF-17, it is probably at “Step 3”.
I don't know what Pakistan's goal is in its quest for “PFX”. If it is something like the “Su27-J16” process to create Pakistan's “SAC”, I think it may be more difficult than many people think.
The biggest difficulty is not “whether China is willing to help”. The real greatest difficulty comes from within Pakistan.
I come from a “system family” and have lived in the “system” since I was a child. After I graduated from school, I worked within "the System" for many years before leaving it. Therefore, I am deeply aware of the heavy price paid behind China's achievements today.
