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by Ulrich2 1972 days ago
Comac C919 is not even in service yet. Sanctions are probably because of alleged IP theft:

https://www.economist.com/gulliver/2018/11/05/america-accuse...

2 comments

They are slated to deliver in late 2021. And you and I both know their competitive edge is not coming from being good, its coming from being Chinese. China is a pretty big market and they will definitely favor Comac.

I will reserve my comments about IP theft.

C919 use CFM engine why they try to steal something they buy?
Because China wants to be able to manufacture everything so that they are beholden to no one. Seize the means of production as it were.

Most of China's innovations in aircraft stem from the fact that they lack the advanced metallurgy and engine manufacturing chops to make powerful engines. Their equivalent to the Blackhawk helicopter uses an advanced fly-by-wire system instead of heavy hydraulics systems because they can't produce an engine powerful enough to meet operational requirements and have hydraulic controls.

> why they try to steal something they buy?

Because they can’t manufacture it yet but are trying to learn to.