Russia, China sign contract worth over $2 bln for Su-35 fighter jets

Reports said the sale was a significant boost to Russia’s arms exports and having China for a client helped tremendously in realizing that goal.

The deal makes China the first foreign buyer of the Su-35, one of Russia’s most advanced military aircraft, and is one of the largest contracts for military jets to have ever been signed between the two countries.

“The long negotiation on the Su-35 sale to China has been completed”.

Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong said China wanted access to the Su-35’s engine, which was more advanced than anything in the PLA Air Force. Coming in at around $85 million apiece, the deal represents good value for Beijing, which had previously struggled to develop aircraft that can compete with superior European and US designs. It will be interesting to see how China acts. “The contract was concluded on purchasing 24 Su-35 fighters”, the source said, adding that this was the first foreign customer of the 4++ generation aircraft. However, the reduced order of 24 planes would not have any manufacturing or assembly in China, Russian media reported.

The Su-35 has been designed for air superiority against not only fighter jets but also low flying helicopters and even drones.

The Su-35 fighter jet (NATO reporting name Flanker-E) is an upgraded version of the Su-27 multirole fighter.

With its domestic programs seemingly in limbo, a few analysts have argued that an AL-117S purchase would be the fastest way for the Chinese to get their hands on a suitable turbofan for the J-20.

Weapons are one of the country’s key export earners.

“China’s fifth-generation homemade fighter jets like the J-20 and J-31 are all more advanced than the Su-35 in stealth and speed, except for the power system”, Wong said.