Why would Russia break the restrictions to supply heavy engines to China? Because Russia is well aware that China's so-called engine has a power shortcoming, and this bottleneck will not be an eternal obstacle for China!
China's aerospace industry has indeed developed rapidly in recent years, but it still faces some challenges in high-thrust engines. The aircraft engine is known as the gem on the crown of industry, and its development involves high barriers, including high-temperature materials, aerodynamics, heat exchange, and several other tough disciplines, which require decades of accumulation. Russia has a solid foundation in this area, having accumulated a lot since the Soviet era, such as the PD-14 medium-thrust turbofan engine, which has stable thrust, low fuel consumption, and technical indicators that rank among the best internationally. As for China, the WS-10 and WS-15 series have already been used in the J-20 and J-16, but their power output and durability still lag behind the top level, especially in large bypass ratio engines, which are used in civil wide-body passenger aircraft, with thrust exceeding 30-ton class. After the test data of the prototype of the Chinese WS-20 came out, industry insiders saw that the stability during high-altitude cruising still needs optimization.
The determination of China in catching up over the years is evident, from the introduction of high-speed rail to exporting it globally, from following the pack in chips to achieving partial leadership, and the same goes for aircraft engines. At the national level, there is the "Two Machines" special project, focusing on both aircraft engines and gas turbines, with billions of dollars invested. Companies like the Aviation Engine Group work overtime to tackle these challenges. Russian intelligence agencies and experts have analyzed that, given the speed of China's high-end manufacturing iteration, the bottleneck of high-thrust engines is likely to be broken within five to ten years. The PD-35 super high-thrust engine, originally needed for Russia's own MC-21 project, but after a wave of Western sanctions, and after the Ukraine conflict, Europe and the United States have imposed strict blockades, narrowing Russia's military and industrial export channels, forcing it to turn eastward. China's market is big, stable, and does not impose political conditions, so cooperation at this time is not only about selling engines but also exchanging funds and technological feedback. Why not?
Going deeper, this breakthrough is not a random decision. Russia's export controls are usually strict, especially for dual-use technologies. Core components of engines involve military potential and require multiple approvals. However, the strategic partnership between China and Russia is clear. In 2018, they signed a joint CR929 wide-body aircraft development agreement, with Russia providing the PD-35 engine scheme and China contributing the fuselage and avionics systems. Once this agreement was implemented, Russia began to gradually release the prototypes and technical data. They calculated that if they delayed cooperation, once China mastered it on its own, Russia would lose a major buyer. For example, at the 2023 Zhuhai Air Show, China and Russia publicly discussed the progress of the CR929, with Russia clearly stating it would supply engines, which was unthinkable before. Russia is aware that China will not rely on imports forever, and maintaining independence is a bottom line, but introducing advanced technology can serve as a stepping stone for digestion, absorption, and innovation.
As Western technological blockades become harsher, Russia is isolated, and China also faces bans on chips and high-end equipment, all countries need to warm themselves together. The Sino-Russian cooperation is not about beggars helping each other, but mutual benefit. Russia has rich experience in engine design and many test benches, while China excels in digital modeling and new material processing. When combined, efficiency doubles. For instance, China can learn the coating process of hot end parts from the assembly of the PD-14, while Russia can use China's CFD simulation software to optimize airflow paths. The result? The CR929 project is proceeding smoothly, expected to make its first flight by the end of 2025. Russia maintains its industrial chain, and China shortens the R&D cycle. Industry data shows that China's domestic aircraft engine production rate has risen from 30% in 2010 to over 70% now, a speed that makes Russia uneasy, and early cooperation brings early benefits.
Certainly, this cooperation carries risks; Russia is concerned about technology leakage, and China is wary of dependency. But both sides are playing it open, with joint intellectual property rights written into the agreement, sharing test data without full disclosure. China is walking on two legs, pushing forward the Changjiang 1000A and Changjiang 2000 series, while using Russian goods as a reference. Russia is also smart, not just selling goods but also bringing China into the supply chain, such as jointly producing low-pressure blades to spread the risk. Globally, this model is quite novel. Previously, technology cooperation always involved one side being stronger and selling, the other weaker and buying. Now it's about complementarity. If more non-Western countries do this, the industrial chain will be more stable.
In summary, the core logic behind Russia's breaking of restrictions is realism. China's power shortage is a fact, but not a dead end. With the country's will and resources, it will eventually be resolved. Russia seized the opportunity, selling goods, locking in the market, and avoiding Western blockades. In the long run, this is a plus for both countries' aerospace industries: China accelerates its leapfrog development, and Russia maintains its backyard. Internationally, the era of technological barriers is about to pass, and win-win cooperation is reliable. Imagine, if all countries did this, how lively the global aviation market would be. China's large aircraft would fly all over the sky, and Russia's technology would have more legs to walk. Smart people always know when to let go, and cooperation is more practical than confrontation.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848025495074880/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.