Iran is about to conclude a transaction with China for the purchase of the Chengdu J-10 multirole jet fighter, known in the West as the Vigorous Dragon, according to an exclusive report from DEBKAfile’s military and intelligence sources. Beijing has agreed to sell Tehran 150 of these sophisticated jets.
While the Chinese J-10 is comparable to the US F-16, our sources report that it is virtually a replica of the Lavi, the super-fighter developed by Israel’s aerospace industry in the second half of the 80s. Israel sold China the technology, after Washington insisted on Its discontinuing the Lavi’s production. The US also objected to the sale of the Lavi’s avionics, claiming that it contained some American components.
The Chinese plane comes in two versions – the multirole single-seat J-10A and the two-seat J-10B, which serves for training, ground assaults and electronic warfare.
Iran has additionally weighing the purchase in Moscow of 250 highly-advanced Sukhoi-Su-30MK1 twinjet multirole air superiority fighters, known in the West as Flanker-H.
On Wednesday, July 29, an Indian Air Force Su-30MK1 took part for the first time in a British air maneuver, Rainbow, where it dueled with the European Typhoon fighter.
The sophisticated Flanker has been found to have a major shortcoming. To carry eight tons of ordnance, it must use both of its AL-31FP engines, and the transition from one to two – and the reverse – often causes engine failure.
The Indian Air Force has reported three such malfunctions in a month, as well another shortcoming: The time needed for making the aircraft serviceable is too long. As a result, only half of the Indian fleet can be airborne at one time.
In a confrontation, the Iranian Air Force may find that, because of these drawbacks, the Chinese Su-30MK1 is outmatched by its American and European counterparts in the service of the Israeli, Saudi and UAE air forces.
On July 22, DEBKAfile revealed that Moscow and Tehran had concluded a giant transaction for the acquisition of a fleet of 100 IL78 MK1 (Midas) in-flight refueling planes for extending the range of its warplanes up to 7,300 km and able to refuel 6-8 planes at once.
DEBKAfile: The scale of Iran’s multibillion acquisitions from China and Russia – 550 warplanes in all so far – indicates that Tehran’s top spending priority upon receipt of the funds released by the removal of sanctions, is to be a spanking new air force.
I wouldn’t get too excited about this report too fast. First, remember that this is not the first time that a rumored sale of J-10 fighters to Iran has made the rounds. There were similar reports back in 2007:
http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20071023/85174001.html
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/iran-to-buy-24-jet-fighters-from-china-1.231785
Those earlier reports proved to be unfounded.
Secondly, while the J-10 is widely acknowledged to have benefited from Israel’s experience with the Lavi, it is in no way a “replica” of the Israeli design. The J-10 is a larger airplane, utilizing a Russian-built engine, without the composite technology that went into the Lavi, and without the Lavi’s avionics suite.
Third, the Iranian Air Force is in a terrible state – feared as a source of a counter-revolution by the ayatollahs that decide on budgets and resources. They are in no shape to absorb a frontline fighter anytime soon.
Buying Israeli technology from Red China to defend against an Israeli attack. Iran will be ready should Israeli sorties excape American defense systems in Kuwait, the Emirates and on the Persian Gulf. Oy vey!
With $150 billion, Iran will be able to amass the region’s most formidable military, which is exactly what Obama has in mind. The jihadists have lacked the modern technology essential to prevail, but as a result of the deal that will soon change.
So it is up to the Jews to save humanity from itself. I believe that we will, but I also believed that Simon would never leave Garfunkel, so it is nervous time.
First a Targeted EMP as a warning!
Not too smart. Much better to arrange a “nuclear incident” in one of the facilities without fallout and total annihilation of said facility
We may be coming to the point where Israel may have no alternative except to nuke Iran and warn Obama against any retaliation. Perhaps Israel should first detonate a nuclear weapon high about the Middle East to show they mean business.
This aircraft incorporates old technology (over 20 years). I wouldn’t get too excited about it…