Chinese purchase of Su-35

Getting back on topic, ie. the alleged sale of Russian SU-35s to China.

I simply do not believe this sale is in the works or will go through. We have heard it talked about for years, and nothing has ever come of it.

With what the PRC is doing itself on the J-11B, the J-15, and the J-16, I do not believe the PRC will be buying any more SU-27 derivatives from Russia. They simply do not need to.

In addition, given the capabilities the PRC aerospace industry is demonstrating with the J-20 and J-31, there is all the more reason for them to not need to consider this.

I will be happy to admit I am wrong should they do it (purchase the SU-35s) but at this point, those are my thoughts on this issue.

Jeff- maybe China wants the Saturn 117S technology?

Blackstone said:

Jeff- maybe China wants the Saturn 117S technology?

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How many times do we have to go through this? Nowadays, if China wants certain technology, they will develop it themselves. It's not about the pride, but for their long-term plans and goals. Yes, they will have to go through the pain and it will be slow, but they will end up OWNING the technology. It will be theirs. They need to do this for the healthy development of their own domestic programs. It's worth the short-term loss.

Blackstone said:

Jeff- maybe China wants the Saturn 117S technology?

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117 maybe but 117S not likely. I would say China is probably 3 yrs or less from achieving the ability and technical know how to make something equivalent to the 117S so not that big of a deal to them.

Besides, like what I said in one of my post a few pages back IF this deal goes through it wouldn't be because of China wanting the SU-35 that badly but rather what else is 'unofficially' tied to the deal if it were to go through.

In a lot of foreign military transactions, there are a lot of carrots that are hanging at the end of the stick depending on how desperate the seller is or how much the buyer is willing to negotiate. Many of these 'carrots' may not even militarily related. Could be in the form of rabbits (not kidding!), oil exploration joint ventures, mineral rights etc.

The truth is we just don't know what we don't know BUT I like to believe it won't be just the SU-35s themselves even though that is probably what will be said and published for the general masses to argue over LOL.

The only reason why china might really want su-35 is if she perceive a need for crash mobilization to face an imminent war well before 2020, not just peace time rearmament to bring her armed forces up to a level commensurate with a modern great power with independent global interests to defend.

It's Saturday, October 12, 2013...time...10:30AM (Houston time).


And still, no official words from the Chinese government about ANY purchase of the SU-35.


That is all.

There were two reasons China was and might still be consider buying Su-35, however these two reasons are all dead now.

1. In 2012, there is a chance that China might go to war with Japan and China thought buying some Su-35 (24-48) will secure Russia's alliance with China also getting Russia's best fighters.

2. 117S engine. In 2012 just one year after J-20's first flight China thought that 117S is the best engine China can get for J-20 for the next 5-6 years, however, Russia is not giving up 117S until China buys some Su-35.

Reason 1 is dead because Japan does not have the balls to go to war with China on its own, and after USA brutally turn its back on Japan, Japan realized that there is no chance they can go anywhere, China saw that too and realized that it was just a bluff.

Reason 2 is also dead because China decided to use the AL-31FM1 as the interim engine for J-20, and WS-10B as back up. Until WS-15 is ready. China can get AL-31FM1 without buying any Russian planes because the contract is secure way back in 2008, when Russia went to war with Georgia and Russia went to China to seek political support and China got it in exchange. The deal is reinforced by Putin in 2012, when he visited China. China figure that it is a bloody mess to use 117S because it will for one harm China's reputation, and two it will be useless to get a different fighter with systems not compatible with Chinese air force. It is simply not worth it to get 117S with all the extra pain.

AeroEngineer said:

Reason 1 is dead because Japan does not have the balls to go to war with China on its own, and after USA brutally turn its back on Japan, Japan realized that there is no chance they can go anywhere, China saw that too and realized that it was just a bluff.

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I didn't know the US turned its back. New to me. I was under the impression the US was watching from a distance, so long as bombs weren't dropped.

The thing here is that China is not interested in the Su-35 and that is it. I am not sure why people keep coming in with rumors saying a sales was to be make...

And the thing is... China is not interested in the 117S engines as of now... China strived to be self-sufficient and she had the resources and time to do it. So there simply is no sense in jumping into any deals right now.

However, one side note, the Su-35 is a fine aircraft, the best in the Su-27 family of fighters. Whether or not China is interested is another matter altogether, the Su-35 is one of the best you could get out there... and could hold by itself well in any aerial combat and against any opponents. It sure would be interesting to see this aircraft in China's arsenal, although we know that it is not going to happen any time soon or ever.