Red Dragon 'Flankers': China's Prolific 'Flanker' Family
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"With its comprehensive coverage of Chinese military airpower and aviation development, this book is an indispensable addition to the collection of anyone with an interest in these subjects." -- Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs
Noted for its exceptional performance, the Sukhoi Su-27 is not only one of the most capable fourth-generation fighters but its development history is also remarkably rich. The 'Flanker' story took on a new industrial and political dimension when the Su-27 was chosen by China to meet the People's Liberation Army Air Force's requirement for a new fourth-generation type.
This was a win-win-situation: Russia received a much-needed multi-billion-dollar contract and the PLAAF, for the first time, obtained a true high-end fourth-generation fighter. However, what followed was a complex drama, with both sides telling different stories. Following the direct sale from Russia, China obtained a contract for license manufacturing. This yielded mixed success in the beginning and by the time the manufacturing procedures had evolved and improved, the licensed J-11 fighters no longer met the PLAAF's requirements.
Subsequently, China developed indigenous variants of the 'Flanker' equipped with improved avionics, weapons, and engines, which Russia regards as a breach of the formal agreement. Regardless of whether these 'Sino-Flankers' are illegal copies, evolved clones or indigenous versions, the Chinese 'Flanker' series ultimately evolved into a wide range of variants, sometimes with no true counterparts in Russia.
This book provides a full overview of the Chinese 'Flanker' family, describing the genesis of this family and providing a review of the variants, their systems, and capabilities and how they are used by the People's Liberation Army.
Noted for its exceptional performance, the Sukhoi Su-27 is not only one of the most capable fourth-generation fighters but its development history is also remarkably rich. The 'Flanker' story took on a new industrial and political dimension when the Su-27 was chosen by China to meet the People's Liberation Army Air Force's requirement for a new fourth-generation type.
This was a win-win-situation: Russia received a much-needed multi-billion-dollar contract and the PLAAF, for the first time, obtained a true high-end fourth-generation fighter. However, what followed was a complex drama, with both sides telling different stories. Following the direct sale from Russia, China obtained a contract for license manufacturing. This yielded mixed success in the beginning and by the time the manufacturing procedures had evolved and improved, the licensed J-11 fighters no longer met the PLAAF's requirements.
Subsequently, China developed indigenous variants of the 'Flanker' equipped with improved avionics, weapons, and engines, which Russia regards as a breach of the formal agreement. Regardless of whether these 'Sino-Flankers' are illegal copies, evolved clones or indigenous versions, the Chinese 'Flanker' series ultimately evolved into a wide range of variants, sometimes with no true counterparts in Russia.
This book provides a full overview of the Chinese 'Flanker' family, describing the genesis of this family and providing a review of the variants, their systems, and capabilities and how they are used by the People's Liberation Army.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1950394107
ISBN13:9781950394104
Release Date:December 2022
Publisher:Harpia Publishing
Length:256 Pages
Weight:2.30 lbs.
Dimensions:0.9" x 8.7" x 10.4"
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