Chinese purchase of Su-35

Hytenxic said:

Embarrassing for China really. Sure it won't be China's top plane but still. Sigh well at least now if Vietnam/India or any other potential adversaries buy it, China will know all about the plane already.

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Why? If the Su-35SK fulfills the need of the PLAAF at least in the interim, then thats a good thing. Yes they have the J-20, J-16 and J-10B/C but there is gap growing in the PLAAF and PLAN. Both services have 78 Su-27SK/UBK, 105 J-11A, 100 Su-30MKK/MK2. If you take the RADAR alone, they are equipped with N001 variants which have "twist cassegrain antenna" . The Su-27SK aren't even R-77 compatible . In-contrast a single USN carrier can launch at least 12 F/A-18E/F Super-hornets plus another 12 F/A-18C/D. The USN has 500 Super-hornets in total! Also the USAF F-15E is getting AN/APG-82. And this is just the RADAR. You also have to look at other upgrades like EW systems, engine, etc. But nearly 300 PLAAF + PLAN flankers aren't getting any upgrade. Only the J-11B have a clear upgrade path. And this is off-course excluding the F-22 and F-35 in the USAF as well as other forces in the region.

So you see a major gap developing and China has to bridge it.The Su-35SK will help bridge this gap and if SAC fails to deliver on the J-11D and J-11B upgrades, then you'll be seeing a lot more than 24 Su-35SK with the PLAAF flying beside the J-20, and J-10.

I still don't see SU-35 coming unless under PLAAF paint. We will see in 3 days.

A.Man said:

I still don't see SU-35 coming unless under PLAAF paint. We will see in 3 days.

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It's my stance and I stand firm with it. Do you know why? Because the Chinese say nothing. If they are to receive 4 state-of-the-art airplanes in less than one week time, the news should have been spread widely around media. All we hear are Russian news. Yes, only 3 days to go. So, be patient and just wait.

i was a non believer of the this whole Su-35 saga because it dragged on so long and we had too many false alarms every year saying China is buying. making it more hard to believe was the fact that China's own fighter plane production was making rapid progress so there didn't seem like a need to buy it. but after seeing that photograph of PLAAF maintenance personal in Russia(those young guys don't look like SAC executives but tech guys), that pretty much confirms it for me. i'll wait for that first SU-35 in PLAAF colors but i believe it now. kudos to those who had always predicted this all along.

Some of you guys are too emotional

Dont forget even USA bought Harriers from England!

Seriously though, one has to look at almost all weapon deals from a geopolitical perspective. This is not only 24-plane deal, it is also a political partnership. Frankly, if you do think this is a significant deal that in a way shows Chinese technical "backwardness" you are very ill informed.

davidau said:

Russia media took a photo of Chinese technicians with SU-35 (#01). It was reported that the first batch of 4 SU-35 will fly to China December 25. In November, China and Russia signed a contract to buy 24 Su-35 fighter jet, total US $2 billion. Russia is planning for 2017 onwards delivery.

The first batch will be four, but the total mayl not be less than 24...

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This is the most convincing evidence I have seen. Chinese techs in Russia, and a marked SU-35 flying from a Russian field.

I will still wait to see them flying in China, from a Chinese field, with full PLAAF colors, and with an official Chinese announcement before going over 100%.

But I have to say, this one post and that from Deino above have given me more convincing than anything else I have read in almost 10 years of reading about it...nine years actually from 2007..

Jeff Head said:

This is the most convincing evidence I have seen. Chinese techs in Russia, and a marked SU-35 flying from a Russian field.

I will still wait to see them flying in China, from a Chinese field, with full PLAAF colors, and with an official Chinese announcement before going over 100%.

But I have to say, this one post and that from Deino above have given me more convincing than anything else I have read in almost 10 years of reading about it...nine years actually from 2007..

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Is the rumored December delivery still believable? Chinese test pilots reportedly said they weren't impressed with the Su-35. If that's accurate, then why the rush?

Blackstone said:

Is the rumored December delivery still believable? Chinese test pilots reportedly said they weren't impressed with the Su-35. If that's accurate, then why the rush?

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Well, December 26 is only three days away and that is when the first five are supposed to land in China.

I would think...and hope...that the Chinese press would cover that pretty big. I am expecting to see pics.

The longer it goes after December 26th without any, the more we will drift back into wondering if it is real or not.

The pics of the Chinese personnel there associated with the latest Chinese quote is the closest thing to a confirmation I am willing to listen to.

But I will not "take it to the bank" until I see them flying in China in PLAAF colors.

Jeff Head said:

Well, December 26 is only three days away and that is when the first five are supposed to land in China.

I would think...and hope...that the Chinese press would cover that pretty big. I am expecting to see pics.

The longer it goes after December 26th without any, the more we will drift back into wondering if it is real or not.

The pis of the Chinese personnel there associated with the latest Chinese quote is the closest thing to a confirmation I am willing to listen to.

But I will not "take it to the bank" until I see them flying in China in PLAAF colors.

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I dearly like to hear more about Chinese test pilot's take on the Su-35, good, bad, and in between.

Blackstone said:

I dearly like to hear more about Chinese test pilot's take on the Su-35, good, bad, and in between.

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Well, until they have had them for some time to themselves...and the flown them a lot, particularly pilots who have flown other PRC aircraft...I would not take comments right now too much to heart.