Michael
VIP Member
1. Forget the WS-13 engine. It's history. In fact, the Liyang plant never mass-produced the WS-13 series engine, nor did it have a production line. No aircraft will use the WS-13 series engine in the future (except for testing). The WS-21 will now completely replace it in its target market.True - but the risk is shared with China if it goes with the latest WS-19 engine. If it goes with the WS-13/21, then it is on its own to get issues fixed ( and WS-13/21 do not really qualify as mature engines anyway, you need 10's of thousands of hours of flying for that ).
While Pakistan has historically preferred mature solutions, there is the risk/reward equation where the need for J-35A capabilities may well change PAFs priorities.
I do think it comes down to the RD-93MA(with its increased thrust that is the same as the WS-21 ) for both the re-engine of the JF17 fleet when the engines run out of life and the J-35A, or it goes for the WS-19 for the J-35AE, and then uses it to re-engine the entire JF17 fleet when required to do so. I do think the JF17 fleets re-engine requirements(where the engine lifespan is half the lifespan of the airframe) is a factor in the decision for the J-35AE. PAF will want to optimise and keep maintenance costs as low as possible.
The J-31/35 were originally developed with the RD-93, so it is not an unknown for the programme as a whole.
2. I've already analyzed the PAF's options. You can buy now or wait many years. China has no other mature medium-thrust engines to choose from. The WS-21 is the only option. Russia's RD-93 series engines are completely out of the question.
Pay attention to my statement. The emphasis is on "main fighter."You still have some J-8 in service
In fact, we have many older fighter jets, not just the J-8. However, they are not main fighter.
You should trust the PAF's inspection team. The PAF's ace pilots on this team will make an impartial assessment. However, this information is top secret, and no one dares to disclose it to the public.I really have no idea, it could just be a J-10C in a stealth airframe or it could way surpass the F-35.
Stuff like its actual stealth, it's data fusion, sensors, EW, cockpit etc are all relative unkowns right?
As for media information, it is just entertainment information, not professional information.














