Russia’s Su-35 Fighters Bridged the Gap for China’s J-20 Development
In 2019, Russia completed the sale of two dozen Su-35 fourth-generation fighters to China in a $2.5 billion deal initially agreed upon in 2015 [1]. While theories of reverse engineering the Su-35’s advanced components persist, the acquisition primarily served as an operational stopgap for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) during the early development of its J-20 stealth fighter.
A Stopgap Solution
The Su-35 purchase allowed China to maintain a modern air combat capability while the J-20 was still undergoing testing and refinement. Analysts suggest that attempting to reverse engineer the Su-35’s AL-41F1S (117S) engines and Irbis-E radar system would have been a lengthy and complex undertaking [1]. The deal included spare engines and reserve equipment to support the operation of the fighters.
Jet Engine Challenges for China
The acquisition highlighted a critical challenge facing the PLAAF: jet engine development. While Chinese jet engines are improving in performance, they still lag behind American engines from General Electric and Pratt & Whitney in terms of reliability [1]. American engines often require servicing after thousands of flight hours, whereas Chinese engines need maintenance after only hundreds of hours, though improvements are being made.
Impact of Sanctions and Alternative Buyers
Russia’s sale of Su-35s wasn’t limited to China. Indonesia also expressed interest, inking a deal for 11 fighters in 2018 [1]. However, that order was ultimately abandoned due to pressure from the United States, despite initial assurances from Russia that U.S. Sanctions wouldn’t critically affect deliveries [1]. The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) has effectively limited Russia’s export market for military hardware.
China’s Expanding Air Power
China’s aircraft carrier fleet is also rapidly expanding, with the Fujian representing its most advanced carrier yet [2]. While the Fujian incorporates technologies similar to those found in U.S. Navy supercarriers, it still faces limitations, including conventional propulsion and deck layout constraints.
Looking Ahead
Despite challenges, China continues to make significant strides in developing its air power, including fifth and potentially sixth-generation aircraft. While the Su-35 served as a valuable bridge during the J-20’s development, Beijing is now focused on achieving greater self-sufficiency in critical areas like jet engine technology. However, questions remain regarding long-term planning and the speed at which China can close the gap with the United States [2].