Chinese purchase of Su-35

Engineer said:

From the Russian's point of view, they need to sell the Su-35 as an entire package with Russian avionics and weapons. The Russians can't nickle and dime the Chinese with just an airframe. From Chinese's point of view, the Su-35 is not good to buy for those exact reasons. There will be no way for Su-35 to use Chinese data-link and weapons unless the Chinese completely gut the Su-35. However, if China did that, then China had to spend money on things that immediately go in the trash bin.
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From what I heard, Russia finally relented and willing to change to accommodate China's request.
Even at worst case nothing got changed Su35 would be a designated superiority fighter with only A2A missiles (forget bombs, AShM and others) which China can purchase from Russia. 24 planes aren't a whole lot.
2 Billion for 24 planes is not that much money. Japan just purchased 3 US predators drones for 1.2 Billion. Therefore China willing to get the SU35 to be used as reference.

China wants to pit J20, J31, J11D against SU35.
Finally it wants to get some clue about 117S engine.
Even Su35 don't go into actual combat, China still willing to pay for it as reference.

Engineer said:

People said "Chinese haven't confirmed it" in previous times as well.

Look, each day that passes implies there is less reason to buy the Su-35. With J-20 wrapping up flight testing phase, the money could be better spent at buying J-20's instead.

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Come on now, 2 Billion is Chump Changes.
Big economic Power house shouldn't be so Petty.

Except for Mig-29 in this discussion I love how the "newbies" experience Groundhog's Day regarding this story as if this was the first time. They just don't understand people who don't believe it? Maybe because it hasn't happened the multiple times before they said the deal was signed?

tidalwave said:

Come on now, 2 Billion is Chump Changes.
Big economic Power house shouldn't be so Petty.

From what I heard, Russia finally relented and willing to change to accommodate China's request.
Even at worst case nothing got changed Su35 would be a designated superiority fighter with only A2A missiles (forget bombs, AShM and others) which China can purchase from Russia. 24 planes aren't a whole lot.
2 Billion for 24 planes is not that much money. Japan just purchased 3 US predators drones for 1.2 Billion.

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If that is chump change, I'm sure they could spent it on a few extra J-20s.

tidalwave said:

Therefore China willing to get the SU35 to be used as reference.

China wants to pit J20, J31, J11D against SU35.
Finally it wants to get some clue about 117S engine.
Even Su35 don't go into actual combat, China still willing to pay for it as reference.

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There is no need for Su-35 to be a reference when J-20 is so much better.

Engineer said:

If that is chump change, I'm sure they could spent it on a few extra J-20s.

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Nothing worst than sending an underpowered exotic plane out there with no street cred; On the contrary if J20 can decisive defeat SU35 repeatedly then that means A lot.

tidalwave said:

Nothing worst than sending an underpowered exotic plane out there with no street cred;

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That's exactly what the Su-35 is.

Engineer said:

There is no need for Su-35 to be a reference when J-20 is so much better.

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man, that's only on paper. Still has to be proven.

tidalwave said:

man, that's only on paper. Still has to be proven.

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That is still an advantage, whereas the Su-35 has no advantage over the J-20, on paper or otherwise.

Engineer said:

That's exactly what the Su-35 is.

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Most analysts don't agree with you. On papers, J20 looks superior but SU35 is known for its mobility and has proven tech. How reliable are Chinese AESA radar and engines?
For example, China has designed , manufactured its own brand cars many years already but how many of them in the roads of western countries?
looks good in spec is only half of the battle.

Engineer said:

That is still an advantage, whereas the Su-35 has no advantage over the J-20, on paper or otherwise.

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SU35 has TVC and more thrust than AL31 powered J20 unless you can show me WS15 ready to roll in 2016.