Reports of sales of Su-30s to China confirmed at $37 million each

Published: 7/2/1999

It seem the reports of Russian sales of Su-30s to China are true (www.concise.org 6/16/97). Beijing has concluded negotiations for a purchase of 50 Sukhoi-30jet fighter-bombers from Russia, with delivery beginning in 2002,according to Monday's edition of the US-based Defense News weekly. Gen. Zhang Wannian, vice chairman of the Central Military Committee of the Communist Party of China, visited Russia in June and signed a letter of intent with Russia at that time, the magazine reported. The weekly said that the 50 fighter-bombers, or two squadrons, with a price of US$37 million apiece, will considerably beef up the People's Liberation Army's attack capabilities on the ground and at sea Beijing has already purchased 250 Su-27s, but the newly ordered Su-30s will be made entirely in Russia instead of being made in mainland China in a joint venture project, as was the case for 200 of the 250 Su-27s, said the weekly. The acquisition of the state-of-art fighter-bombers underlies Beijing's determination to set up an all-weather attack force, which will have an impact on the security of Taiwan, Japan, and all states, which are in dispute with Beijing over overlapping claims to islands in the South China Sea. A former military attaché at the US Embassy in Beijing pointed out in the weekly that Beijing's procurement of Su-30s is more significant than its purchase of the Su-27s, in view of the new plane's accurate attack capabilities against warships, and its edge over Beijing's indigenous J-7 fighter. The weekly said Beijing holds the option to order more Su-30s in the deal, and will also probably co-operate with Russia to produce the fighter-bomber in Mainland China. Also included in the deal was an agreement to produce the KR-1 anti-radar missile, an updated version of the Kh-31p missile, in Mainland China, the weekly quoted a Russian official as saying?

Article ID: 647