Author: Mulan
According to Observer website , the US media "Defense News" recently published an article speculating that Argentina intends to obtain the "Fierce Dragon FC-1"/"Thunderbolt JF-17" fighter jets, but the method of acquisition is different. It is limited to simply taking money to purchase, but hopes to produce the fighter in the country, thereby obtaining the manufacturing capabilities of modern fighter jets in disguise, and partially transforming it according to the needs of the country during the production process.
"Defense News"'s speculation is not without basis. Last month, the Argentinian Air Force organized a delegation to visit China. The main object of the inspection was Cheng Fei, the "parental family" of "Xiaolong ". By the way, although the production line of "Fierce Dragon" has basically been transferred to the territory of Pakistan Railway , most of the intellectual property rights of the fighter still belong to Chengdu Aircraft. Then, about 10 days ago, Lieutenant General Juan Martin Pareo, the head of the Argentine Joint Military Staff, visited Pakistan . During this period, in addition to meeting with Pakistani military and government officials, he also I specially met with the Minister of Defense Production of Pakistan.
Argentina sent important officials to China and Brazil one after another for inspections and negotiations. If it was just a simple purchase, it would not be so mobilizing. Argentina has not purchased a new fighter jet for an unknown number of years. Despite the seriousness of the matter, it has long been very fond of the "Fierce Dragon". In recent years, it has not stopped inspecting the fighter jet. It has already understood everything that needs to be understood. . Last year, there was news that Argentina would spend US$664 million to purchase 12 "Fierce Dragon" fighter jets. Although there was no actual transaction later, this was the closest relationship between Argentina and the "Fierce Dragon".
Argentina is interested in the "Fierce Dragon". First of all, it believes that this fighter jet is high-quality, cheap and practical. For example, the "Fierce Dragon" 3, which Argentina is most interested in, is the latest version after an upgrade. It is equipped with active phased array radar , and the avionics system is also brand-new. It can mount air-to-air missile with a range of more than 80 kilometers, and supersonic anti-ship missile . This is what Argentina needs most. . As everyone knows, Argentina has endured humiliation for 40 years due to the Falklands War. After possessing a batch of "Fierce Dragons", they will immediately gain naval and air superiority over the British Royal Navy's troops stationed on the Falklands. By the way, the Argentine Air Force currently has only a very small number of old fighters. How old is it? It is actually a propeller-powered attack aircraft - the Argentine Air Force equipment has been blocked by the United Kingdom for so many years, and it has also been economically sanctioned. There is no way.
As analyzed by "Defense News", Argentina wants to organize the production of this fighter jet in its own country in order to gradually obtain the manufacturing capabilities of modern fighter jets. This statement is somewhat unrealistic. With Argentina's existing technology, even opening a "Fierce Dragon" assembly plant may be a problem. Therefore, Argentina's recent inspections and negotiations in China and Brazil can only be in the maintenance business of fighter aircraft, which is equivalent to striving to become the agent of "Fierce Dragon" in South America. To put it more simply, it is similar to the "4S store" of a fighter jet. Argentina wants to be an agent in South America, which is a good thing for Chinese weapons starting from Xiaolong to enter the South American market. Its marketing propaganda is more convincing than our sales.
The more important point is that if Argentina really becomes the agent of "Fierce Dragon" in South America, the political significance of this will be great. Generally speaking, only on the basis of sufficient political mutual trust can there be in-depth cooperation between countries in the production and maintenance of fighter aircraft, just like China and Pakistan did back then. In late June last year, Ambassador Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made a resounding statement: The Falklands issue is a historical issue left over from the colonial period, and China firmly supports Argentina’s legitimate claim for sovereignty over the Falklands. This is a very serious statement. In the past 40 years, only China has said this in front of the United Kingdom. China's righteous speech for Argentina, a third country, seems to have seen the shadow of China and Brazil's "sincere treatment of each other and sharing weal and woe" between China and Brazil.
According to media reports, Argentine President Fernandez requested to join the BRIC countries.Fernandez's remarks may be due to Argentina's desire to strengthen economic ties with BRICS countries. Argentina has a currency swap arrangement with China and has been an outspoken critic of Western sanctions on Russia.
Argentina needs to enter the largest economic bloc in the world. The BRICS countries have the most raw materials, the largest population, the highest manufacturing output and the largest consumption base and land. Argentina mainly exports agricultural products such as soybeans and beef. The BRICS countries are a huge market for Argentina.
We can completely build Argentina into the second Pakistan, so that we have a foothold in South America that can radiate to the entire Pacific and South Atlantic as well as the west coast of Africa. The strategic value is very great.
China supports Argentina so much internationally, and now it may usher in in-depth cooperation in the "Fierce Dragon" fighter jet. China may gain another " iron " in South America.
However, there is a condition that needs to be attached. Argentina will help me promote Chinese football.
