China is executing an ambitious defense modernization plan designed to make the country militarily self-sufficient by around the 2020s. So with a range of domestic fighter aircraft development programs in train – including the stealthy J-20 – it seems that buying new fighter jets from Russia probably wasn’t part of that plan.
Nonetheless, the Chinese have asked Russia to sell them the new Sukhoi Su-35 “Super Flanker” fighter aircraft, according to Alexander Fomin, deputy head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. Cited by the Russian media, Fomin said that Beijing had filed a request for the S-35s – as well as S-400 air defense systems – back in 2011.
China isn’t transparent about defense procurement, so nobody knows for sure whether buying the Su-35 has always been part of its strategy, or whether it’s an admission of failure. But it’s been a decade since China has ordered any foreign jets – Russian Sukhoi Su-27s and Su-30s – for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), leading many aviation analysts to conclude that the Chinese would only return to the international market if they had no choice.
Now, with both India and Japan ordering advanced new fighter aircraft, the PLAAF may have determined that it needs the new Russian jets as a stopgap while the Chinese aerospace industry continues to work through some critical technology challenges, notably aircraft engines and radar systems. By ordering the Su-35, China’s defense planners would essentially be demonstrating that they aren’t willing to gamble on the J-20 and the other advanced planes that the Chinese defense industry is working on.
Russia’s motivation is also complex. The Su-35 is a new aircraft that hasn’t yet entered active service with the Russian Air Force, and the Russians are reluctant to sell it to the Chinese because of their track record of reverse-engineering earlier model Sukhois and then churning out copies. Equally, the Russians are aware that the day is fast approaching when China will no longer need to import Russian defense technology, and they may be eyeing the Su-35 sale as a last hurrah in the Chinese marketplace.
If China really is interested in ordering the Su-35, Moscow will certainly be wary of Beijing’s rationale. It won’t want to sell the Chinese only a handful of aircraft, just so that they can clone some of the Su-35’s fanciest technology, in particular its advanced radar set. It will be looking instead for a serious commitment for the procurement of several squadrons.
The acquisition would make good sense for the PLAAF: the Su-35 would be the most effective aircraft in its inventory and serve as a powerful force multiplier. At the same time, it would be a setback for China’s self-sufficiency drive, and an admission that the dream of total self-reliance is still some years away from being realized. China is busy recasting itself as a defense exporter, rather than an importer. But the need for an advanced frontline fighter like the Su-35 might force Beijing, just this once, to break its own rules.
Raptor1
Look guys, let’s separate facts from conjecture or your personal political views. First of all, the SU-35 is FAR more capable than anything the Chinese currently are fielding, it is NOT a simple SU-27 upgrade. Without even getting into its digital avionics, electronic warfare, and maneuvering capabilities, the Chinese having a good look at the engines would be a huge win for them. Why? Because everyone knows that the Chinese (and in comparison to the U.S., the Russains also) have had difficulties developing the types of high-thrust, very reliable engines found on American fighters for decades now. The SU-35 will legitimately supercruise, no real doubt about that, which in and of itself would provide the technology boost for their future J-20, making this purchase VERY worthwhile. Developing that kind of engine takes YEARS and BILLIONS, but not if you can “borrow” (steal) it ( sorry, that was MY political viewpoint coming through )
Now if you can relate to all that, then is it really any surprise that 1.) the Chinese would want to purchase the SU-35 and 2) that the Russians would be leary? It’s pretty simple, once you get past your political squabbling.
If I were the Russians, I would sell ONLY if they can secure the technology (no source code, make the engine a down-rated version of what’s currently in production.)
Joseph Tan
Of course, China is not that stupid as well. Russia had peddled their wares to Libya, Syria, India, Brazil, South Korea, Venezeula, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia etc etc and no one is buying. Why? It is not sellable. It is the buyer's market.
Would China satisfy with this down-grade? However if China bought the plane, it would immediately boost the sellability of the carft. Look at Su-27, – 30MKK, -30 MK2 – once China bought, she brought along a whole string of buyers.
SCdad07
Mar 10: – China’s Defense Ministry dismissed that information, “Moscow and Beijing signed a purchase contract 48 Su-35″ is not true.
a_canadian_observer
@SCdad07: And the world is supposed to believe what china says? LMAO.
RGR101
Right, like the world will believe what the Canadian says……………
Valbonne
The Russians are desperately trying to sell their SU-35 because certain buyers(countries) of Russian combat aircrafts are very unstable after the Arab Spring. India has also rejected Russian’s SU-35 in her US$15.0Billon purchase of new combat airplanes. Russia need alternative markets to sell their wares and the only country with lots of cash is China.
China’s Russian SU-30MKK are due for replacement and that is why I believe the Chinese has decided to buy SU-35 from Russia to replace their aging SU-30MKK. I also believe China should respect Russia’s IPC rights and not simply copy Russian airplanes.
kartist
who cares that USA accuses China of stealing. I don’t and I am sure China does not. If it makes sense, do it. Steal, catch up and then when you are at the forefront of technology, innovate. Morality issues have no place in this discussion. That is the realm of losers and sore losers. Go China Go!!!!
charlesewing
…Not a stepback for the Plaaf- they aren’t self sufficient today.Good short term coverage for aircraft thru 2020 while they move to become independent of the Russian a/c programs.
George
I’m highly suspicious of these sort of reports coming out of the Russian Military Industrial Complex(tm). They are well known for putting the wagon in front of the horse.
Su-35 offers nothing in terms of real world fighting capabilities that the Chinese don’t already have or will have within 5 years. Its avionics might even be inferior. Forget about the “super duper” radar, China has more airborne AESA experience and expertise than the Russians. Russia certainly won’t help integrating Chinese made air launched weapons.
Kerry Givens
This is just one more example of China’s hostile intent. They will go bankrupt trying to maintain a weapon system such as this. They want to steal the Technology for that hunk of flying Junk J20 ,