Lore

The Shenyang J-11 a twin-engine jet fighter of the People's Republic of China, finds its lineage rooted in the Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-27. This formidable aircraft is crafted by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) and serves prominently in both the People's Liberation Army Air Force and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force.

In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, 1969 saw the PLAAF issuing a directive for a short takeoff and landing light fighter intended to supplant the Shenyang J-6 and Nanchang Q-5. The proposal, advanced by the Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute in conjunction with the Shenyang Aircraft Factory, was designated as the "J-11." Resembling the French Dassault Mirage F1, it was to be powered by the British Rolls-Royce Spey 512 engine. However, the project was subsequently abandoned due to the unavailability of a suitable engine, with the competing Nanchang J-12 demonstrating superior advancement.

In 1996, China concluded a $1.2 billion agreement that allowed SAC to produce 200 Su-27UBKs under license. Initial production commenced using kits from the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant (KnAPPO), with key subsystems such as avionics, radars, and engines being imported from Russia and not manufactured under license. The agreement strictly prohibited China from exporting these aircraft.

The production of the J-11 began in earnest in 1997. By December 1998, the first two units were completed, albeit with significant assembly issues requiring Russian assistance for rebuilding. Progress was evident by 2000, with five units completed, and by 2003, a total of 20 units had been produced, now incorporating locally manufactured airframe parts. Russian acquiescence to the inclusion of local parts allowed KnAPPO to reduce the content of its supplied kits.

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This took way too long to finish.
Also one of my first complex modern era jets.