PLA's JH-7 Fighter Bomber Modified for South China Sea Conflict
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Facing a potential conflict with Vietnam in the South China Sea, China is continuing the modification of Xian Aircraft Industry Corporation's two-seat JH-7 fighter bomber for the PLA Navy, according to the Sina Military Network based in Beijing.
Photos released on the website indicate that a new version of the JH-7 attacker is under development, constructed with composite materials. Internet users believe that the avionics and engine of the aircraft, referred to as the JH-7B, have been upgraded as well, while the Communist Party paper Global Times said the plane is equipped with an LM6 turbofan engine. Once the JH-7B enters service, it may also be fitted with the more advanced WS-10 Taihang engine designed by Shenyang Liming Aircraft Engine Company.
The idea for China to develop a modern fighter bomber came during the country's naval clash with South Vietnam over the disputed Paracel Islands in 1974. During the conflict, the Q-5 attackers and J-6 fighters of the PLA Navy Air Force did not have the combat radius to provide air support to the Chinese warships in the region.
Neither did China deploy its H-5 bombers to attack South Vietnamese vessels, even though they had the range, as it was unwilling to risk them being shot down by the F-5E fighters of the South Vietnamese Air Force. China eventually gained the control of the Paracels from South Vietnam without air support.
The JH-7A was upgraded because the Su-30MK2 fighter bombers the PLA Navy purchased from Russia cannot launch missiles made in China. It is not only large enough to carry a large enough payload but is also much cheaper than the Russian aircraft. Like most fourth-generation military aircraft, it is likely to be fitted with the active electronically scanned array radar system, according to the Sina Military Network.
