China’s modern fighters have gradually become the most important weapon for the air force to seize air supremacy. The combat performance of fighters has been continuously improved, and the F-15 fighters equipped by Japan and South Korea are not at a disadvantage. What's more, China is catching up with the United States and Russia in stealth fighters, second only to the United States in the development of new fighters, marking China's gradual transformation from an air force power to an air force power, and the formation of the J-20 fighter as its trump card, with four generations of fighters such as The J-11 and J-16 fighters are the core, coupled with the J-10 light fighters as a match, to seize the power of the air force in the Asia-Pacific region.
In fact, the beginning and beginning of the Chinese Air Force's modern fighters dates back to 1990. With the normal relations between China and the Soviet Union, the door to military cooperation between the two countries has been opened, and China has been relatively backward in terms of combat aircraft. In contrast, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force is equipped with F-15 fighters, while the Chinese Air Force is mainly equipped with second-generation fighters such as the J-7 fighters. Facing Japan with F-15 medium-sized fighters, both performance and combat capabilities are at a disadvantage. Therefore, it is difficult for the Chinese Air Force's J-7 and J-8 fighters to gain an advantage in air combat.
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia is facing a severe economic crisis, and Russia has decided to continue to fulfill the arms purchase contract between China and the Soviet Union on the Su-27 fighter jets, purchase the first batch of 24 Su-27 fighters, and to continue to introduce the second batch of 24 Su- 27 fighters signed a bilateral agreement. In 1992, the Chinese Air Force received the first batch of 12 Su-27 fighters, including 8 Su-27SK single-seater and 4 Su-27UBK two-seater trainer, and finally arrived at the Air Force Wuhu Base, which is also known as the history of the Chinese Air Force. The most important turning point in modernization. At the end of 1992, China accepted all 24 Su-27 fighters to equip the air force. Since then, China has successively purchased a total of 76 Su-27SK fighters, and China and Russia reached a production line for the transfer of Su-27SK fighters, and China independently manufactured Su-27SK fighters. But Russia provides the engines, radars, electronic equipment, and airborne weapons needed for the fighters. From 1992 to 2000, China first purchased 24 Su-27 fighters, including 8 single-seater and 6 two-seater Su-27 fighters. In 1995, it purchased 22 Su-27 fighters again, including 6 single-seater fighters. And 6 two-seater Su-27 fighters, and finally purchased 28 Su-27 two-seater fighters in 1999. Based on the purchase of Su-27 fighters, China also imported Su-27 fighters improved Su-30 fighters.
China has purchased 76 Su-30MKK fighters and 24 Su-30MK2 fighters from Russia. The Chinese Air Force is equipped with a total of more than 300 Su-27 fighters, Su-30 fighters and J-11A fighters (the Su-27 fighter version assembled by China, known as J-11A). According to the calculation of the 30-year service life of fighters, China’s early Russian-made Su-27 fighters are gradually approaching the end of their service life, and the life of the Su-27 fighters will gradually be exhausted. At the earliest, the Su-27 faced the fate of retirement or life extension upgrade?
In the early days, the Chinese Air Force introduced the Su-27 fighter jets. There was a gap between the avionics equipment, radar and control system of the American F-15 fighters. Western countries gradually adopted digital electronics. While the Su-27 fighter uses a fly-by-wire control system, the Su-27 fighter has an absolute effect on shortening the gap between the Chinese Air Force and Western countries and accelerating the pace of China’s national defense modernization. Moreover, the overall performance of the Su-27 fighter is at the same level as the U.S. F-15 fighter, representing the most advanced fighter of the Russian Air Force. In addition, China’s early equipment of the Su-27SK fighter is an active fighter of the Russian Air Force, equipped with original radar avionics and Weapon system, which is also absolutely rare in the history of Russian fighter export.
After the introduction of Su-30MKK fighters, the Chinese Air Force gradually mastered the improvement experience of Russian Sukhoi fighters and built the Chinese Air Force’s cross-generational and progressive J-16 fighters. At the end of service for any fighter in the advanced stage, according to the 30-year service life of the Su-27SK and Su-30MKK fighters, the early versions of the Su-27SK fighters are gradually approaching the retirement age, not to mention the latest batch of Su-27SK fighters have also served for 20 years.
At present, Su-27SK and Su-30MKK fighters have already withdrawn from the first-line combat sequence of the Chinese Air Force. After all, these two fighter avionicsThe performance of equipment and radar are in the 1990s, and the performance of avionics and radar in the Soviet Union has been lagging behind that of Western countries. Therefore, the earliest Su-27SK fighter has been retired, but the overall performance of the Chinese-made J-11A fighter is at the same level as that of the earlier version of the Su-27SK fighter. It can be overhauled and extended according to combat requirements to ensure that the J-11A fighter reaches J- 11B fighter level. The
Su-27SK and Su-30MKK fighters are exerting waste heat in the second line. They can play a role in performing air cruises and alert, and they can also appropriately supplement the daily training of pilots. After all, the J-16 and J-11B fighters are undergoing high-level aerial training and deterrence against Taiwan. At the critical moment, the J-16 and J-11B fighters are still at the forefront, while the Su-27SK and Su-30MKK fighters Can continue to fulfill the mission during training and execution interception. Relatively speaking, the J-11B and J-16 fighters are also expensive. If all J-11B and J-16 fighters are used to perform daily patrol tasks, this would be too extravagant for the Chinese Air Force.
Su-27SK and Su-30MKK fighters have been fully upgraded and can play an important role in second-line combat. As for deterrence and actual combat training, the J-11B and J-16 fighters are used in the first line. Therefore, the Su-27SK and Su-30MKK battles can still carry out daily patrol missions to protect the frontiers of the motherland.
Su-27SK and Su-30MKK fighters have indelible status and contributions in the Chinese Air Force, but gradually there is a sense of "old age" heroes. In the future, the Su-27SK and Su-30MKK fighters will bear the first-line responsibility for the assault of the J-11B and J-16 fighters, especially in deterring the U.S. and Japanese air forces, coupled with the completion of the national unity mission, and the most important thing is to assume the maintenance of China’s territorial waters. And territorial sovereignty play an important role in safeguarding national unity.
