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One issue to think about is that less prestigious, more numerous Category B units are likely to face the brunt of any war than the elite Category A units. There is a tendency as shown in by Chinese armies in World War II, such as that by the Communists or the KMT, to save the best for themselves and throw the fodder to the enemy. It's not a particular Chinese trait as well, since the Imperial Japanese Navy pretty much babied and saved its battleships, while throwing its cruisers and destroyers against the US Navy, with the smaller ships taking the brunt (and dying) of the fighting.

The result of PLAAF modernization is to create an air force within an air force - a small modern one in the midst of a vast outdated one. There is disparity in training, over 200 flight hours in Category A units vs. 70-80 hours in Category B units. This could result in poor morale. Yet, no doubt, these units will take the brunt of any future conflict.

Thus, the "fodder" deserves their own upgrade. Flight hours should be lengthened, and more appropriate aircraft should be provided. In addition to acquiring aircraft from the Russians and developing new aircraft locally like the J-10, the PLAAF has also embarked on an upgrade program on older designs, such as the J-7, Q-5 and J-8. With the costs and the rate of production for the J-10 being unknown, there are questions if the plane could fulfill the quantity needs of the "lo-mix".

With new wings and updated avionics, the J-7 got its new lease in life. With radar absorbent paint, helmet targeting and large angle off boresight missiles, a J-7E or J-7MG is still a deadly opponent to any modern fighter. Add new engine developments that promise even greater power, such as the 7500kg thrust WP14 engine, and this little fighter can achieve thrust to weight ratios unlike that of an F16.

Despite the modernization, the J-7 has inherent flaws. The range is short for one, and so is the payload. The nose is too small to accommodate a longer range radar, which can stifle the pilot's situational awareness and forces him to rely more on GCI and AWACs. It will not accommodate larger and more powerful engines. There is only so much that the little airframe can take.

The radar limitations could be addressed with the alteration of the J-7 nose to something like the F7MF proposal. Such as a drastic change would however require more development and testing, which seems odd in relation to the FC-1 program. In fact, any activity of such has to be financed internally by CAC, as neither CATIC nor the PLAAF would fund this.

Pakistan has shown that with their F-7PG version, the J-7 airframe and nose could take a BVR radar, even of a modest range. While modest, the Grifo 7M still possess better scan range than the Super Skyranger radar of the F-7MG and the JL-7A radar of the J-7E.

Even if the Grifo will not be fitted on the PLAAF's J-7s, it does show it's possible to use BVR radar with electronic improvements, maybe on the JL-7, or through a similar radar such as Phazotron's Kopyo or Moskit. With such, a BVR missile is still possible, even though one has t to fire the missile within less of its maximum range.

There is plenty of doubts about continuing to evolve a nearly fifty year old air frame design with proposals such as the F-7MF. Radar and engine changes, however, would be far less drastic and still be cost effective in closing the gap. A reasonable cost effective upgrade to the J-7E or as a future J-7 variant would be to have BVR radar of the Grifo 7 class, the WP14 engine, an HMCS with wide angle off boresight IR AAMs such as the PL-9c.

The fact that J-7s are made by Chengdu means that J-7s are diversionary to the J-10's production. Once the J-10 is fully approved, we can expect Chengdu Aircraft Corporation to fully concentrate its resources to J-10 production. In the meantime, until the J-10 has commenced production, newer J-7s with upgraded radars and engines should be made to offset attrition by retired aircraft.

1. Great bang for the back
2. Proven commodity
3. Still a dangerous opponent with latest engine, avionics, and missile upgrades.

1. Basic airframe design is too old to warrant further evolution.
2. Weak BVR capability.
3. Small airframe limits growth for stronger engines and more powerful radars.