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The issue with expecting small countries to field indigenous aircraft is that jet engines are hard. The Gripen relies upon the GE F404 engine, and this gives th
by greedo 6y ago
The issue with expecting small countries to field indigenous aircraft is that jet engines are hard. The Gripen relies upon the GE F404 engine, and this gives the US leverage in preventing exports. China has been trying for decades to build its own high performance jet engines, and hasn't succeeded. They still rely heavily upon Russian engine designs.
- jabl 6y agoIf China really wants to, I think it's just a matter of time. Their (PPP-adjusted) GDP is 6.5 times larger than Russia, so they can afford to spend a lot of resources on it if they wish.
- jacobush 6y agoDamn, I didn't know Russia was even that big.
- greedo 6y agoIt's not a matter of time, since Western (and Russian) engine manufacturers aren't standing still. The WS-15 has been in development for over 25 years, and still isn't ready for primetime in the J-20.
- coopsmgoops 6y agoSounds like it's a matter of a lot of time