China set to take two Su-33s for evaluation as first step to potential 50-aircraft contract to build carrier capability
China could buy up to 50 Sukhoi Su-33 naval fighters in a $2.5 billion deal with Rosoboronexport, the Russian state-owned arms exporter, as part of the country's ambition to build up a viable aircraft carrier capability in the next 10 years.
Under the deal, which Russian news reports say could be sealed by the end of this year, China will initially buy two fighters for $100 million for evaluation. These will be constructed by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Production Association.
China has a further 12 aircraft on option and the final number purchased could rise to 50 depending on demand, as well as the progress of China's plans to develop its own naval fighters. Rosoboronexport declines to comment on the reports.
This could be the second largest export contract for Russian arms after a $3 billion deal for 140 Su-30MKI fighters to be assembled in India under licence.
China wants fighter jets to be deployed on the ex-Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag, which it bought from Ukraine in 1999 and is being refitted at Dalian shipyard. Although it is believed to be keen to develop its own naval jets, that is unlikely to happen by 2010, when the carrier is expected to enter service.
Beijing aims to have three aircraft carriers in service by 2016 and, if the development of an indigenous aircraft does not meet that deadline, the orders for the Su-33 could total 50.
The single-seat, twin-engined Su-33 is the naval variant of the Su-27 Flanker fighter. China's armed forces, which already have 76 Su-27SK/UBK fighters and 100 Su-30 multi-role aircraft, rely almost solely on Russia for imported military technology because of the US and European arms embargo.
Source: Flight International
