Interest

Lately, a lot of analysts including those of Asian/Chinese origin working for Western intelligence units have speculated widely on the purported PLAN's interest in the SU-33 Flanker 'D' naval jet that is made by Russia. According to these analysts, the PLAN is desperately seeking this navalised fighter jet for its Varyag aircraft carrier which could soon become operational. The picture being conveyed is that Varyag could be just a useless project if the PLAN failed to acquire the SU-33 jets. These analysts have constantly stressed the point about the PLAN being unable to field a creditable naval fighter for its impending carrier battle group centred on the Varyag. Thus they are urgently and desperately lusting or longing for the SU-33. Nothing could be further than the truth. The SU-33 fighter jet would not be the right choice for the PLAN's future aircraft carrier(s). The jet was conceived when planes like the F-14 and F-18A/B were still in service with the US military. Today the US military is deploying far better equipment like the F-22 and the F-18E/F fighters and the SU-33 is definitely no more top dog. The Russians are already planning a replacement for the SU-33 and this only confirms that picking the SU-33 would be a bad decision. If the PLAN buys the SU-33 jet, it would be merely for the sake of helping to support the Russian arms industry. But the more likely reason for acquiring the jet is just merely to be able to learn a few things about the jet itself. Nothing more. The SU-33 is very definitely no longer suitable for the high threat environment which exists today in the western Pacific. The latest threat aircraft like the F-22 and the Super Hornet, the F-18E/F, and the future F-35, possess the best radars and avionics that money can buy today. The SU-33 is a single-seat fighter, and as such would not be able to handle those US threat aircraft. A better pick for the PLAN would be either the J-11BS or the J-10S. These are twin-seater fighters which carry a WSO/navigator in the back seat. In a high threat environment and right over the middle of an ocean, a twin-seater fighter could mean the difference between success or failure. A fighter jet protecting an aircraft carrier group needs to be able to counter both enemy jets as well as incoming missiles. Both at the same time. Without a WSO, it would definitely not survive long. The aircraft carrier it was supposed to be protecting would then be left exposed to the enemy. Thus in this regard, the SU-33 is virtually next to useless. The task of modifying the J-11BS or the J-10S for carrier use by the PLAN is definitely no rocket science. It is not complicated work. All those analysts should be aware of it. As if without the SU-33, the PLAN aircraft carrier project would easily come a cropper. What crap. What nonsense. Just plain hypocrisy-induced analyses.

For strictly use as a fighter to protect ships from the enemy's air threats, the J-10S if equipped with thrust vectoring would be the right choice. When armed with the right missiles, it could easily defeat enemy aircraft as well as their missiles. Which is very important. And why the need for a WSO. It could also be used to provide fighter cover for friendly maritime strike aircraft. The J-10S can carry up to 11 missiles at a time. It also has a betterlooking set of canards compared to the SU-33. ( In prior tests carried out by the PLAAF the J-10 easily bested the Flanker ). The most important thing and which must never be forgotten is the need for strength in numbers. A cbg needs to be protected by large numbers of fighter aircraft that are guided by very efficient IFF communications. Well trained pilots are of course also necessary. A cbg that operates close to its home base could also use fighters from land bases. The chances of defeating the enemy then would become very good. This would be the best path for the PLAN to take. The threat from the US Pacific Fleet is very, very real and extremely deadly, but with the right tactics and the right fighter jet, the PLAN would most likely prevail in any encounter. And send the aggressors to Hell. The SU-33 would be a very poor choice and picking a home grown jet would simply be very much wiser. With a well trained crew of pilot and WSO/navigator and the right mix of missiles, the domestic fighter would have every chance of successfully fending off the aggressor. Many air-to-air missiles today are fully capable of shooting down even supersonic rockets or projectiles. Thus when the enemy attacks, just shoot down all his missiles. If he hurls over to you 1,000 missiles, use 10,000 against them. Thus the one who has strength in numbers would be a lucky guy. Besides good training of course. SU-33 ? Forget it !!! !!! In any future aggression by the US Pacific Fleet against the PLAN, the US aggressors would most likely be supported by forces belonging to Japan, South Korea, Australia and even the countries of S.E. Asia. Indonesia, for example, has nothing but disdain for the PRC. It, like many other countries, has a very long bloody record of killing and murdering Chinese people, yet it had no hesitation to demand that the UN 'intervene' in China on the minor unrest there recently. Such countries have no qualms about siding with the evil US should a conflict take place. And so 'strength in numbers' takes on an even greater importance. The PLAN would do well to remember this. And never forget that in any attack by the sneaky US, they would also not hesitate to come in by the back door, Afghanistan and the Indian Ocean. B-2 Spirit bombers accompanied by F-22s could easily enter via this back door. A sneak attack by such a force could go all the way to the east coast bases of the PLAN and then exit towards S.E. Asia leaving behind a big trail of destruction. The PLAN must not be caught off guard by it. Strength in numbers is so vital. THE PLAN MUST FOREVER REMEMBER IT !!!!! Forget the SU-33 and all the nonsense spread by those analysts. They are just doing nothing more than simplistic second-guessing and even

making a poor job out of it. The SU-33 is now staying way past its bedtime really. It should be relegated to land-based duties. The earlier the better. Forward with the nimble-footed J-10S !!! Or the J-10BS !!! Have thrust vectoring capability for them !! For more on cbg's go to www.pdfcoke.com/jimmyfung40