The Argentinian Air Force came to China to inspect the third batch of JF-37 fighter jets
According to Argentina domestic news, the Argentine Air Force revealed that if it is determined to introduce the third batch of JF-37 fighter jets, they will choose Chinese engines instead of Russian engines.
Previously, the Argentine Air Force went to China to conduct a detailed inspection of three batches of Xiaolong fighter jets, including aircraft, avionics, airborne weapons and engines, etc. The Argentine Air Force believes that the three batches of Xiaolong fighter jets meet expectations, and they are deeply impressed by the excellent performance of the aircraft. Perhaps the most exciting thing about
is that considering the international situation of , the Argentine Air Force will not use Russian engines, but engines developed by China. Due to the installation of airborne active phased array radar, integrated electronic warfare and other systems in the third batch of Xiaolong fighter jets, the empty weight of the aircraft has increased, requiring engines with greater thrust. According to relevant information, the third batch of Xiaolong now uses Russian RD-93MA engines, with an afterburning thrust of about 9.3 tons. Due to the war in Ukraine, the West has collectively sanctioned Russia. Therefore, the Argentine Air Force is not willing to use Russian engines at this time, but chooses Chinese engines.
The third batch of Xiaolong fighter jets is an improved version of the Xiaolong fighter jet
The engine we developed for the third batch of Xiaolong fighter jets is the WS13IPE thrust-enhanced engine. This engine uses forward-swept blades based on WS13, which delays the airflow separation of the blades, increases the rotation speed, and increases the air flow, thereby increasing the engine thrust, and its thrust also increases to more than 9 tons. It is reported that the WS13IPE engine has been installed on the Falcon fighter jet for test flights. Judging from the Argentine Air Force’s statement, they are very satisfied with the performance of the WS13IPE engine and decided to equip three batches of their Xiaolong fighter jets with Chinese engines. The
WS13IPE engine has been recognized by foreign customers, paving the way for the national production of Xiaolong fighter jets. As we all know, the avionics and airborne weapons of the Xiaolong fighter are all domestically produced, but the engine uses the Russian RD93 series. In this way, the export and performance upgrade of Xiaolong fighter jets will be subject to certain restrictions. For example, India tried its best to prevent Russia from exporting engines. In this case, we can avoid being controlled by others by having our own engine. This time Argentina used a Chinese engine once again proved the importance of having its own engine.
The Xiaolong fighter jet now uses the Russian RD93 engine
Of course, the WS13IPE engine was born out of the RD93 engine after all. Its potential has been tapped to the limit and it is difficult to develop further, which poses a constraint to the future development of the Xiaolong fighter jet. Therefore, the Xiaolong fighter jet needs a more advanced engine, which is a new generation of domestically produced turbofan medium thrust. In addition, the WS13IPE engine is also a supporting engine for the new generation of domestic stealth multi-purpose fighter jets. Therefore, the new generation of domestic stealth multi-purpose fighter jets also need more advanced engines.
The new generation of domestically produced turbofan mid-thrust engine is aimed at the American F414 engine. The maximum afterburning thrust is close to 10 tons. It can be further increased in the future, with a thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 9. It can fully support the further development of the Xiaolong fighter and provide sufficient power for the new generation of domestically produced stealth multi-purpose fighters. The new generation of domestically produced stealth multi-purpose fighter jets will be able to replace the Xiaolong fighter jets in the international market after 2030 and become the main model of domestic fighter jets exported.
Our new generation turbofan mid-thrust horizontal thrust is aimed at the F414 engine
Therefore, the Argentine Air Force’s choice of domestically produced WS13IPE engines marks that domestic engines are gaining recognition from foreign customers. This news is even more exciting than the export of the Xiaolong fighter itself. Domestic engines continue to mature. Provide more sufficient impetus for the development of domestic combat aircraft.
