Some time ago, the Russian Agency for Military-Technical Cooperation said, officially invited China to buy another batch of new Su-35. This news immediately aroused great interest in the Chinese public.. There is a fierce debate among local military experts about this..
Su-35
In fact, this dispute has a long history., it started in 2013 year from the message of purchase 24 Su-35. Now voices against the new deal are heard much louder.
gone 6 years, and the development of the Chinese Air Force has also made significant progress, they got a significant amount of J-20, gave the fleet combat strength.
– writes Chinese edition Sohu.
In his words, to sort out the dispute, need to look at that role, which the Su-35 plays in the country's air fleet. In May 2018 year they first showed themselves, escorting the H-6K bomber, who flew around Taiwan. Since then, they have ensured the combat stability of the Air Force..
Chinese Air Force pilots were very pleased with the Su-35 and praised it. In this way, The Su-35 was indeed a great fighter.
– points out Sohu.
Engine problem
Really, currently the situation looks different. Chinese Air Force armed with J-20 stealth fighter, its production continues to grow steadily. Wherein, given its high cost, expected, that major purchases will focus on J-16 and J-10B / C, since a complete replacement of the J-7/8 fleet is required.
but, as noted by Sohu, many J-16s, as well as the J-20, equipped with Chinese turbofan engines of the "Tao" series with insufficient power. This can cause problems when they are released., making it difficult to modernize the air fleet.
Therefore, the acquisition of a batch of Su-35 fighters, positively affecting the Chinese Air Force, would be a good solution, able to ease problems, arising from the modernization of the air fleet.
– indicates the designated edition.
J-20
You can't cope without the Su-35
On the other hand, it is indicated, what, despite the very high combat capability of the J-16, the range of their combat missions does not completely coincide with the Su-35. They are both positioned as multirole fighters., however J-16 focuses more on attack like “air-ground”, while the Su-35 is focused on conducting operations such as “air-to-air”.
According to the publication, The J-16 has a more advanced AFAR radar and has some advantages in the weapon system.. But in comparison with the Su-35, it is unseemly distinguished by a double role in the air., increased aerodynamic resistance, lower engine thrust, lack of deflected thrust vector and slightly reduced maneuverability.
Therefore, the re-acquisition of the Su-35 as an air combat vehicle is quite justified., capable of effectively helping the J-20 gain air superiority.
– concludes Sohu, thinking, that J-16 will not cope with this role.
J-16
