But, there are things about those engines that the PLAAF and PLAN have not accomplished yet, and would like to dearly learn how to do.
This would be a great opportunity to do so...among other things that you also listed.
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Chinese purchase of Su-35
- Thread starter flyzies
- Start date
This would be a great opportunity to do so...among other things that you also listed.
kwaigonegin
Colonel
I used to believe that too but the more the delay the less logical it becomes from a capability gap standpoint. while the 117 is a very good engine, China's turbofan industry and material science have had exponential leap in capabilities even in the past 5 yrs. it would've made perfect sense had they acquired the 117s couple years ago but now with deliveries assumed to be 2018-2020 it's probably for other reasons. I'm pretty sure by 2020 the likes of shenyang liming etc would have the ability to produce equilavent engines even if just prototypes.
I'm not so sure...the super cruise for example. The thrust vectoring. Many areas of durability and efficiency that the Chinese have not quite gotten to yet. Perhaps they will by 2020...perhaps not.
...and as the other poster, superdog, commented, there a re also other capabilities that the SU-35 has that would be worthwhile for the Chinese to get their hands on seeing how the Ruskies went about doing what they do.
Anyhow, I believe that a purchase of 35 Su=35s by China is going to include some technology sharing in it one way or the other. Otherwise, in their line up, it simply does not make sense. The J-20, the J-16x the J-15x, the J-10x, etc., etc. that the Chinese are putting out are effective aircraft, particularly in numbers and oupled with their newer sensors and weapons.
Do not get me wrong...I do not think any of them can stand toe to toe with the F-22...or the F-35 once her capabilities are maximized on a one on one, or even somewhat tilted scale.
But quantity has a quality all its own, particularly when that quantity itself is reaching up into the 4.5+ gen, with very well trained and capable pilots.
...and the Chinese are definitely getting there.
Quite frankly, I feel the same about the Su-35 itself. I believe a F-22 will take it...but in the hands of a very well trained pilot, it is going to be a threat and dangerous just the same.
ANyhow, the J-20 is even more so IMHO...but it does need a better engine...and the Russians have some.
kwaigonegin
Colonel
Which is why I said the earlier the faster they get their hands on them the more sense it makes and vice versa. Based on all the speculations I've seen so far it appears that Russia is more willing to sell than China is willing to buy .. At least to me anyway.
Just like any other transaction if you have a very willing seller deals can be easily made. I think China can easily get their hands on the 117S and some ToT if they'd really wanted to but that has not happened thus far. It would not be far fetch for China to get a couple samples of the 117S as far back as 2014 if they inked the 24 ship agreement as Rostec keeps implying. Russian scientist and engineers are not exactly known to work purely within the confines of their own border for the right price even with the blessings of Putin.
This is a very strange 'deal' if you ask me especially considering China has been a stable importer of Russian arms and technologies for many decades now!
Just like any other transaction if you have a very willing seller deals can be easily made. I think China can easily get their hands on the 117S and some ToT if they'd really wanted to but that has not happened thus far. It would not be far fetch for China to get a couple samples of the 117S as far back as 2014 if they inked the 24 ship agreement as Rostec keeps implying. Russian scientist and engineers are not exactly known to work purely within the confines of their own border for the right price even with the blessings of Putin.
This is a very strange 'deal' if you ask me especially considering China has been a stable importer of Russian arms and technologies for many decades now!
Agreed...it has been and remains strange.
I will still only believe it is truly a "done" deal when the Chinese announce the aircraft being on their soil with pictures of them there in Chinese markings.
EXACTLY! and while I was an early proponent, as it gives China capability "right now" rather than a decade down the road?? it sure has been through the grinder, and nothing of substance to show??
Indeed a first quite hard report about these birds since some time and if they are indeed at the production line - and since there are only three more months left before 2016's end - I think they should - if this report is true - be at quite an advanced state of manufacturing ?
So, when will we see a first Su-35 in PLAAF colours ?? Ready for Zhuhai ??
Deino
PS: By the way, what do they want to say, the Su-35 is a "1,553MPH fighter" ????
Exactly.
Perhaps there will be four SU-35s in Chinese hands by the end of this year.
I will only believe it when the Chinese make an OFFICIAL announcement themselves and I see SU-35s in PLAAF colors.
Accoding to this "According to a statement," statement...we should know within three months.
SteelBird
Colonel
I read similar report sometime ago and decided not to post at SDF due to obvious reason. I replied to the report that I will only believe when I actually see Su-35 flying in PLAAF color.