Until mid-1990s, J-8 and Su-27 were the only modern types in the Chinese fighter strength, but they were only 2.5% of a huge fleet of over 5,000 planes. In the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square incident, the western world, e.g. Italy and U.S. imposed technology blockade against China. Afterwards in their place came Israel Aircraft Industry (IAI) and Russian Siberian Aeronautical Research Institute (SibNIA). In order to upgrade in-demand avionics, fire control and powerplant technologies, which hampered at least four pilot fighter projects, the new strategy incorporate a melting pot of foreign technology and acquired design methods.
Entered full scale R/D, primarily on avionics and fire control, J-8II emerged as a multirole, all-weather fighter. Within the span of four decades, there were about 300 J-8 variants in People's Liberation Army Air Force and Navy Air Force service as of early 2011. If not match the U.S. and Russian counterparts, its interception, close air support, and interdiction capabilities are still regionally unchallenged. Furthermore, its Russain Zhuk radar also supported J-10 fighter. As a replacement of aging J-6 and J-7, IAI Lavi’s nine controls surfaces and Su-27’s engine are adopted by J-10, such that it is as agile as F-16.
Unlike J-8, J-10, and Su-27 variants serve both PLAAF and PLAN, JH-7 fighter bomber only fly with PLAN due to its early buggy design. Its payload was restricted by the underpowered licensed-built Spey turbofan, a 1960s design. However, a muscly naval fast deploy force was formed with upgraded JH-7B. It features increased payload, a brand new avionics system, and a more powerful engine. Its combat radius is extended via aerial refueling capability. These boosts aren't ripple, there are full-on waves. Opening up and progress on one side of Taiwan Strait does not mean rocky path ahead for other side, unless it is seized by continuous inward-looking and self-defeating populist movements.
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