They wanted a replacement for their mig21.They pondered the project during the 70s and project started in 1983. They couldn't predict the age of cheap small fighter will be passe.

2)Even for such a replacement for cheap fighters,even up to now,they still lack the tech. Could have been workable if they got it done fast enuff and use it mainly for CAS.

the BRs luv to compare it to the swedish Gripen. Some difference:

1)Before the Gripen, the swedish already had the experience of deveolping TWO Mach 2 fighter(Like china had deveolped F8 and JH-7 before the J-10)

2)Gripen is not exactly small. Seems the later version has similar internal fuel capacity as the F-16.

3)Sweden has been quite advanced(in fact a leader) in airborne radar net warefare. I don't need to remind comrades here their strength in metallurgy