Chinese purchase of Su-35

badger16

New Member
Registered Member
Jamming something as powerful as Irbis is an issue with or without active array.
But:
1)AESA is more expensive.
2)Zhuk-AE is a weak installation for su-35-sized fighter. Enlsrgrment of the array is close to developing a new system, because cooling and processing, which is still more expensive.

Phazotron stated around ~10 years ago that they were planning to enlarge Zhuk-AE for Flanker installation. However I gather nothing has come out of it. And why would, Zhuk-A(E) is dead. Supposedly its performance in Indian MMRCA comparison wasn't too good. Zhuk-AM which they are developing for MiG-35 is quite different.
 

Hyperwarp

Captain
India wants to upgrade their N011M with a new AESA.

Is this a larger version of the Zhuk-AM or a watered down version of the N036?

The same should be applicable to the Su-35 in the PLAAF. Chit-chat wise, Russia denied China's request to install their own AESA. It was a full 24 plane deal or no dead at all.
 

gelgoog

Brigadier
Registered Member
It is not surprising the Russians declined to use a Chinese AESA. It would mean integrating it in the Su-35 would be much more difficult and would make the economics of the sale questionable. The Su-35 has a centralized control architecture so it is a lot less modular than previous Russian aircraft. It would have likely taken them years to integrate a different radar. Plus to take proper advantage of the AESA the radar control software is a heck of a lot more complex to code for than something like a PESA.

There was a recent news report about how the avionics for the Su-57 were finished only in late last year. Now those would have a similar level of complexity to what you would require. So as you see, years of delay, lots of expense for a one off sale.
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
It is not surprising the Russians declined to use a Chinese AESA. It would mean integrating it in the Su-35 would be much more difficult and would make the economics of the sale questionable. The Su-35 has a centralized control architecture so it is a lot less modular than previous Russian aircraft. It would have likely taken them years to integrate a different radar. Plus to take proper advantage of the AESA the radar control software is a heck of a lot more complex to code for than something like a PESA.

There was a recent news report about how the avionics for the Su-57 were finished only in late last year. Now those would have a similar level of complexity to what you would require. So as you see, years of delay, lots of expense for a one off sale.

Exactly, the airframe is built around the radar and fire control, and that's actually a good thing..... changing radar means you would be redesigning your whole aircraft, the Chinese were looking for 24 airplanes in a relative hurry, and that's exactly what they got....

Henry Ford said it first, "you can have any color you want, as long as its black"!
 

antiterror13

Brigadier
It is not surprising the Russians declined to use a Chinese AESA. It would mean integrating it in the Su-35 would be much more difficult and would make the economics of the sale questionable. The Su-35 has a centralized control architecture so it is a lot less modular than previous Russian aircraft. It would have likely taken them years to integrate a different radar. Plus to take proper advantage of the AESA the radar control software is a heck of a lot more complex to code for than something like a PESA.

There was a recent news report about how the avionics for the Su-57 were finished only in late last year. Now those would have a similar level of complexity to what you would require. So as you see, years of delay, lots of expense for a one off sale.

also it could mean, the Russians would have to give up the source code to the Chinese .... is not going to happen for just 24 aircraft ... if it was 100, it might be different case.

But heyyy, the Chinese in 1990s (which technology wise the Chinese was very backward at that time) did manage to crack the source code of SU-27 .... I don't see why the Chinese now can't crack SU-35 source code :p
 

Jono

Junior Member
Registered Member
also it could mean, the Russians would have to give up the source code to the Chinese .... is not going to happen for just 24 aircraft ... if it was 100, it might be different case.

But heyyy, the Chinese in 1990s (which technology wise the Chinese was very backward at that time) did manage to crack the source code of SU-27 .... I don't see why the Chinese now can't crack SU-35 source code :p
perhaps it's not a question of capability, because China certainly can crack the source code with some efforts. But nowadays, the relationship with Russia is so cordial and mutually beneficial that it's not worth jeopardizing the friendship for such trivial gain. Besides, there might be a signed agreement prohibiting China from doing such thing again.
Just my 2 cents.
 

Biscuits

Major
Registered Member
Don’t forget the most important question, that of will.

US could certainly crack the source code of the Gotland class if they put effort into it. The question is whether it is worthwhile to start a new production line when they already have other designs.

China is already juggling the J10C, J16, J11D and J20 designs. I don’t see where Su35 would fit, unless it is substantially cheaper than AESA flankers or if they sign a contract to upgrade the outdated Su30MKKs to Su35 standard, if such a thing is possible.
 

Inst

Captain
Well, it depends on whether or not the Russians would be interested in exporting the Su-35 with Chinese radars. We know that Chinese AESA outperforms Russian PESA, and if the Russians would like to sell the Su-35 with Chinese AESA (an improvement on the Irbis-E), the Chinese might be willing to allow them to license an export radar version.

Then again, the export AESA for the JF-17 is very lackadaisical, so there's probably no point in using Chinese export AESA.
 

Hyperwarp

Captain
Don’t forget the most important question, that of will.

US could certainly crack the source code of the Gotland class if they put effort into it. The question is whether it is worthwhile to start a new production line when they already have other designs.

China is already juggling the J10C, J16, J11D and J20 designs. I don’t see where Su35 would fit, unless it is substantially cheaper than AESA flankers or if they sign a contract to upgrade the outdated Su30MKKs to Su35 standard, if such a thing is possible.

If a supermaneuverable, supercruising J-11D was available right now, then sure. No need for the Su-35. But such a J-11 does not exist. J-11D 1st appeared in early/mid 2015. Still no word on its progress. Avionics wise, looks like the J-16 already is at the J-11D level. If they decide to make a J-16 variant with the WS-10B TVC version, then the PLAAF would not need either ther Su-35 or the J-11D.
 

Gloire_bb

Captain
Registered Member
I am afraid this is going to launch some ... heated arguments, but whatever.
China to be offered Russia's 'best warplane' Su-57
Russia is reportedly eyeing exporting Su-57, its most advanced fighter jet, to China, an offer Chinese experts described as an indication of the close strategic relations between the two countries.

While Chinese analysts are becoming convinced of the Su-57's combat capabilities, some are skeptical whether the Russian warplane can integrate into the Chinese system since China has developed its own advanced J-20 fighter jet.

The Su-57E, an export version of the Su-57, is expected to receive export approval from Russian President Vladimir Putin in a few weeks, said Viktor Kladov, director of international cooperation and regional policy at Russia's Rostec defense industrial holding company, at a media briefing at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia, Jane's Defense Weekly reported Thursday.

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