2006-12-30 09:40 Two Jian-10 fighter planes of China air force take off from a military base December 18, 2006. The air force has been equipped with the new generation of Jian-10 fighter, independently designed by China. The fighter is capable of launching "precision attacks while hedgehopping and making long-distance assaults at altitude above 10,000 metres." [Xinhua]From Times Online:
Engine failure forced one of China’s most advanced fighter jets to make an emergency landing.
In a rare move, the normally secretive People’s Liberation Army allowed state television to report the incident and even provided footage of the jet as it struggled to remain balanced in the air (click here to see the video).
Diplomats said that the incident underscored the problems the PLA has had developing an engine for the fighter. "They will be very disappointed by this,” one said.
The J-10, which China has taken about 20 years to make, was on a training exercise with deputy regiment air force commander Li Feng at the controls. He tried to exercise a tricky manoeuvre at an altitude of 4,500 metres when the engine failed, state media reported. Realizing the the jet could lose power at any time, he requested permission to return.
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My Comment: Red faces all around. The fact that this was publicized means that there are some in the Chinese Government who are not enamored by this jet fighter, and are probably hoping that some other program will be boosted as a result of this failure.
The Chinese arms industry is just as competitive as ours.