Iran will not purchase the fc-1,


Iran has in its inventory the Mig-29 the cost of a refurbished mig-29

and the fc-1 are simmilar 12 mil, vs 15 million for the new build fc-1.

The Mig-29 is allready in iranian service in significant numbers, the Mig-29 features the same engine as the fc-1 but the mig-29 features twin engines , for a higher TWR (thrust to weight ratio).


Furthermore the Iranians build their own light fighter aircraft in the same or very simmilar class as the fc-1 , the azarksh.

MiG-29 is an old technology. Its from the Soviet Era. The only MiG29 which is competeble with todays fighter jets is Mig-29Mk2 which only so far Russia n India own. MiG29 r not bad jets but the biggest draw back it has is that it has no room for improvement once its released from production, so if u wana put any extra equipment in MiG29 u will have to do it when it is under production.

The reason why Iran may purchase FC-1/JF-17 is that

1-it has has room for improvement.

2-It is better than F-16 Block A/B which r better than Iranian MiG29.

3-FC-1/JF-17 carry BVR or beyond visual range missles which can attack jets as soon as they appear on radar n even b4 pilot sees them with his eyes he can launch n attack on enemy.

The FC-1/JF-17 proto type r currently using MiG-29's engine but there r only two of such JF-17s. Intaialy both China & Pakistan (Makers of FC-1/JF-17) wanted Russia to provide the engine but when Russia denied the help both decided to make their own. So the first batch of JF-17/FC-1 being released in 2006 might not have MiG engines.

4-FC-1/JF-17 is built on the design of MiG-33 which Russian Airforce rejected because of single engine. MiG33 plans were to replace MiG29. So this makes FC-1/JF-17 better than MiG29.

5-FC-1/JF-17 being built by natios more friendly to Iran than Russia so there wouldnt be a politics involved in the purchase.

6-JF-17/FC-1 is smaller in size. Smaller the better.

7- FC-1/JF-17 is some thing new n MiG29 is some thing old. & every country in the world is now trying to bring in newer Jets.

8-Iranian Jets r no where near JF-17/FC-1. JF-17 FC-1 r 3.5 Generation multirole fighter jet.

9-Soon Double seated JF-17/FC-1 will be built.

10-FC-1/JF-17 is also being made for navys as well n thus would be able to take off n land on AirCraft Career.

11-The reson why JF-17 / FC-1 is expensive is because they r new to the market. Newer things r always expensive. But unlike MiG29 they r cost efficient in long run when it comes to upgrading n maintainance.

even Russia is no longer relying on MiG29. They r using Su-27 & 30Mk1 for their Airforce lead.

But the choice is of Iran. If they want it they can come to either China or Pakistan.

FC-1/JF-17 will be available all the friendly nations to Pakistan & China. Iran is more than a friend so if they want it, they will get it. So is for every other muslim n friendly country.
But yet again its Iran's choice. no one can force them.

Actually the FC-1 is using the RD-33, the engine that was initially destined for the MiG-33.  Since the USSR/Russia cancelled the MiG-33, Russian engineers convinced China to allow them to use the FC-1 as a continuation of the MiG-33.

AhmedAliShah you must be new here, welcome.

Also, you put up an excellent post about then +/- of the FC-1 to Iran.

@ AhmedAli

some of your claims are false. I will take two as an example:

"4-FC-1/JF-17 is built on the design of MiG-33 which Russian Airforce rejected because of single engine. MiG33 plans were to replace MiG29. So this makes FC-1/JF-17 better than MiG29. "

Mig33 would be newer but NOT better perfomance wise way. It is like saying f-35 is better than f-22 because it is newer. Doesn't work like that.

"11-The reson why JF-17 / FC-1 is expensive is because they r new to the market. Newer things r always expensive. But unlike MiG29 they r cost efficient in long run when it comes to upgrading n maintainance."

Mig29 is HELL when it comes to maintainance. It is a known fact.



Going back to the subject, I wouldn't want Iran to buy any new jets at all. Wether it be su-37, fc-1 or Gripens.
In such a case, Irans young aero-industry will surely die, because unlike Chine we havn't enough space for both bought and self-produced jets.

I totally disagree with all of your main points.


The Mig-29a is easily fitted with digital avionics.

The Mig-29a vs the fc-1

lets see the fc-1 has the same engine as the mig-29 the rd-33 (smr-95 has slightly higher output but it is derived from the rd-33)


The Mig-29 is easily fitted with the kopyo radar.

The fc-1 (china) will probably be fitted with the kopyo radar.




In the end in terms of aerodynamics, the Mig-29 is clearly superior!

I believe its T2w,Turning radius and angle of attack are better.

The FC-1's maximum maneuvrability at high speeds is about 8g, whereas the MiG-29 is designed for 9g, meaning the "Fulcrum" has better maneuvrability.  As a matter of fact, the FC-1 is meant to be easy and cheap to mass produce, which is why it has only 80-85% of the MiG-29s total capabilities.

I have no idea what it looks like.

Also, do you guys have any CLUE how difficult it is to pull 8g or 9g in an aircraft?! Before the plane can turn that hard the pilot will likely black out. The fact is, many fighter aircraft today exceed the pilots physical capabilities. A better metric to compare might be rate-of-turn, not g-forces.

E Tan, E Epi Tas!

The FC-1 in the export scheme and the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) designation JF-17, which stands for Joint Fighter-17. It is expected that the PAF will acquire 150 JF-17s to replace its F-7P/PG fleet

For more info on FC-1:

http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/fc1.asp