China is definitely a “beginner” in the aeronautical industry, but main actors of the sector perfectly know that this beginner will one day stand as a real competitor. Within a context of domination by the two giants Airbus and Boeing, the Chinese airframer Comac is already displaying signs of its determination to access to the European market. Indeed, Beijjing extends its presence in Europe, and strengthens cooperation with its European partners.
The main illustration of China’s growing presence in Europe may be the recent office opening by Comac in Paris. It is the second overseas site after the first in Los Angeles, and it aims to “strengthen and expand cooperation with its partners in Europe”, reportedly quoted by Flight Global.
China to soon export planes?
One of the most prestigious way for China to be a credible actor within the European market would be pretty much to export planes to Brussels… Funny joke? It seems not, since Ryan air declared being interested in the future C919. Indeed, Irish low cost carrier Ryan Air is now in negotiations to order the first Chinese narrowbody. During Paris air show, airline’s chief executive O’Leary signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese company. He declared at a briefing in Paris: “We have started discussions on pricing […], if we do order, there is no point for us to order just a few, it would be over 200 aircraft”. The agreement concerns a stretched 200-seat version of the C919, which can take in its original form 168 seats. Today, Ryan Air’s fleet of B737-800s have 189 seats each.
While O’Leary is glad to see a more diverse competition in the narrowbody sector, nothing is certain about China’s capacity to meet that demand… Moreover, meeting European safety measures won’t be that easy for Comac, and will consist in a real challenge for the airframer. As almost every professional repeat it, plane industry doesn’t build toys…
Other exports perspectives concern CATIC. The Chinese arms exporter has received a number of potential customers in its chalet at Paris air show, in spite of the failure of its flagship export offering, the Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 fighter, to appear at the show. CATIC president Ma Zhiping declared to the press: “We’ve entertained customers from Africa, the Middle East and Asia. On the first day we had meetings with 10 customers. They were interested in all of our aircraft, including the JF-17”. That’s not the first time that the Chinese airframer displays its products at Le Bourget and it marks its twelfth appearance. Citing strong interest from countries in Africa and the Middle East, Ma announces that several countries have led test flights of the low-cost aircraft. A new international buyer for the type is likely to be announced within the next two to three years.
Apparently due to the unstable political situation in Pakistan, the three Pakistani air force JF-17s, which were supposed to appear in the static area in Paris and perform flying displays, were missing. However, Ma said he feels confident on the presence of the Chinese fighter in next Dubai air show from 13 to 17 November.
China multiplies deals with European actors
Comac signed during Paris air show an agreement with engine manufacturer CFM International. With its Leap-X1C engine, CFM will be the sole foreign integrated propulsion system provider to launch the C919 narrowbody programme.
Comac subsidiary Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing (SAM) also signed an agreement with Safran’s Labinal to set up a JV to provide the C919’s electrical wiring interconnections systems. The Shangai-based JV will be 51% owned by SAM, while Labinal will hold the remaining 49%.
In addition, German Liebherr-Aerospace has signed a deal with Chinese aerospace firm AVIC’s landing gear subsidiary to establish a 50:50 JV to supply the C919 landing gear system.
Later, China Southern Airlines declared it has selected International Aero Engines V2500 powerplants for another 30 airbus A320s.
China’s AVIC aerospace corporation sealed an alliance with Safran last year, and has now extended the agreement to include powerplants and avionics. The first MoU provides for development a new-generation turboshaft engines for heavy helicopters to be marked both in China and internationally. Turboprop derivatives for regional aircraft are also included in the MoU. Safran, which owns Turbomeca, has collaborated with AVIC on powerplant production for around 30 years, variously pursuing the Arriel 1, Arriel 2 and WZ16 projects. The second avionics-focused MoU span helicopters as well as commercial and general aviation aircraft. Again, Safran and AVIC have shared effort in this area since the 1980’s, focusing particularly on autopilot technologies for the Z9 helicopters.
Risky cooperations
China is definitely mastering the counterfeit art, which is why enhancing cooperations with Chinese partners could create nice surprises in the near future. The best illustration is that Chinese engineers even succeed in copying aircraft without cooperations, as the “Wing-Loong”, an UAV predator like, perfectly shows.
China has then already copied the General Atomics Predator UAV. During Paris air show, AVIC has displayed a small model of the distinctly Predator like Wing-Loong, which it describes as a MALE vehicle, with autonomous take-off and the ability to carry “smallsized air-to-ground strike weapons”. The Wing-Loong is within a few millimeters in any direction of the Predator A. It displays a 14m wingspan, a 9m length and a maximum take-off weight of 1100kg, but it boasts the good looks of the larger Predator B’s V-shaped rear end. It has ceiling of 16400 ft and a range of 4000km (according to AVIC, reportedly quoted by Flight Global).
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