The battle for the air in the 80s belong to F 16 and Mig 29. Both had their advantages and disadvantages. F 16 may have better BVR capability but in close fights Mig 29 would have prevailed. Even the one engine Falcon would surprisingly run dry of fuel from using its after burner in dogfights earlier than the fuel thirsty two engines Fulcrum.
However F16 have won big time in its marketability battle where it's progress from a mere fighter role to of a multirole help to sustain its sales. The said Mig did not achieved the same success due its slow development in these areas. Conformal fuel tanks (that could free up underwings spaces to carry more missiles and increase range) that would have help the Mig to carry more roles was never planned nor designed thus ended the its future progress. Malaysia for one refused to upgrade her Migs because even if she did they would not be even close to par with the capability of 4th generation modern fighters of today. Further types of Mig 29 even the superflous M type failed sell well due to SU 27 and 30 capabilities that excessively overshadow it.
The same battle for medium range fifth generation fighter in these two coming decades might be of F 35 and J 21. The former is of one engine and the second is of two engines, similar to the said Falcon and Fulcrum. Both will soon be designed to of the multiroles kind. Question is how far is their range , what is the numbers of weapon they carry, and how good are sensors and weaponry system. That will determine the success of sales these two aircrafts. Russia, Korea and Japan too might come up with medium size fighters, most likely of two engines based. It's going to be very interesting to come see what the future holds.
China is an up and coming player in stealth design and have build two types in very short years, compare none of to Japan and Korea as well as even European. United States took more two decades to build two, the F22 and F 35, add another extra decade or two if we take into account the F117. Could it be the case they can also design advance set of avionics in a short time of frame. Weapons too?
I believe the Chinese can do so all of the above at a faster and cheaper rate. The Chinese have proven they can do so in so many other areas of industries. They are not like America, Japan, Korea and even Europe that get bog down by unnecessary democratic and capitalist process as well as costs. Russia, because of her immature democracy may like China may too come up with a medium size stealth fighter if she had the money to do so.
Countries looking for a cheaper F 35 will surely buy into J 21, especially when Japans and Koreas stealth fail to make it to their first flight or they are too expensive enough for major acquirement by other states while Europe entrapped with their fourth generation fighter programme of Typhoon, Gripen, and Rafale have no fifth generation fighter to speak of. If BAE merger with the rest of EADS comes through a fifth generation fighter is highly likely to come from them, hopefully maybe later than sooner. However America whose Boeing may stand to lose their competitive edge may "influence" the Brits to back off from the deal. So much for the infamous western laud of freemarket.
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