China Buys High End SU-35 Multi-Role Fighters From Russia

In a deal that is more than 3 years in the making, China is buying 24 Sukhoi SU-35 multi-role fighters from Russia. China first expressed interest in the high end fighters in 2012. However, a deal was not finalised over concerns of reverse-engineering by China.

In 1995, China signed a $2.5 billion production license deal from Russia to build 200 SU-27SK (designated the Jian-11A or J-11A). Russia terminated the deal in 2006 after it discovered that China had secretly produced the reverse engineered J-11B equipped with Chinese-built avionics and weapons.

Earlier this year on 29 April, an upgraded version, the J-11D was flown. The J-11D is equipped with AESA (active electronically scanned active array) radar, inflight refuelling probe and can fire more advanced missiles than the J-11B. However, the SU-35 will still be a significant boost to Chinese airpower. The SU-35 with its thrust vector nozzles is more manoevrable than the J-11D. Ironically, the passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar of the SU-35 is less advanced than AESA radar. AESA radar is more stealthy, jam-resistant and versatile than a PESA radar. AESA radar is also capable of radar jamming for example.

The biggest attraction of the SU-35 for China is perhaps the propulsion system. The SU-35 is equipped with the advance NPO Saturn Item AL-117S turbofan engines.  The 38,800 lbs thrust at military power allows the SU-35 to supercruise.  The full afterburner thrust is 32,000 lbs from each engine, adding tremendously to the combat options for the pilots of the SU-35.  The same engine is also used on Russia’s latest T-50 PAK FA stealth fighter.

China is the first export customer for the SU-35 fighters. A follow on sale or domestic production is to be expected.


Image from VPK

rt.com

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AUSAirpower

China Displays Stealth Fighter At Dubai

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SCMP

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Image from  Australian Defence Image Library


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PAF FA-50 Delivery

The first two FA-50 Fighting Eagle fighter/ trainer aircraft will be delivered to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on 10 December 2015.  These combat aircraft will confer a significant boost to the Philippine Armed Forces.  Philippine ordered 12 FA-50 in 2014 under a $420 million government to government deal.

A pioneer batch of three instructor pilots and 32 maintenance crew were sent to South Korea for training. The aircrew are experienced S-211 pilots. Philippine Air Force retired its last fighter, the F-5 in 2005. The FA-50 Fighting Eagle will be PAF's first supersonic combat aircraft in a decade. Philippine is also upgrading its air base infrastructures to accommodate the new acquisitions.


Photo: Facebook, Philippine Military Assets

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Thales Wk450 Watchkeeper UAV Damaged During Landing

A British Army's Thales Wk450 Watchkeeper was seriously damaged during a landing incident on 2 November. The Watchkeeper, which was developed from Elbit's H450 Hermes was on a routine training sortie when it crashed on the runway. This is the third accidents involving the Watchkeeper since induction into service last year. One aircraft has already been written off as unreparable. The UK had planned a procurement of 54 Watchkeeper in 2005. The current planned date for the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is 2017. However, the majority of the 33 aircraft delivered are currently in storage. The aircraft involved in the latest incident is one of eight being tested at the Boscombe Down facility.



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Defense Industry Daily

Independent