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Mike
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27.01.2003 21:23:43
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Современность; ВВС;
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China buys around 30 SU-30MK2 to counter Taiwan - Moscow Times
краткое содержание: как китайцы у нас хорошо закупаются
Russia is also developing Su-30 MK3 with upgraded avionics for export.
Monday, Jan. 27, 2003. Page 9
Eyeing Taiwan, Beijing Buys 30 Sukhoi Fighters
By Lyuba Pronina
Staff Writer After months of negotiations, China has signed off on the purchase of 30 Russian fighter jets worth more than $1 billion in a deal that analysts say hints at growing naval belligerence toward Taiwan.
Last week, state-owned arms selling agency Rosoboronexport signed a contract to sell China around 30 Su-30MK2 fighters, a highly-placed source at Sukhoi, the jet's maker, said.
China is the No. 1 importer of Russian military hardware.
Rosoboronexport was not available for comment.
The company has been tight-lipped about arms sales to China, especially since Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov last year signed an agreement classifying information on military and technical cooperation between the two countries during his visit to China.
The source did not rule out that further purchases by China of the jet could follow, but refused to elaborate.
Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy head of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said that China might order up to 50 such jets, repeating an earlier pattern in which it received 26 Su-27 fighters in 1992 followed by 22 in 1995.
Later, in 1999 and 2001, China placed orders through Rosoboronexport for the more advanced Su-30MKK, designed expressly for export to China.
Makiyenko said that under the 2001 contract, 19 jets were delivered last year.
According to Sukhoi head Mikhail Pogosyan, the company delivered more than 60 jets to foreign buyers in 2002.
The importance of this new contract, Makiyenko said, is that the Su-30MK2 -- equipped with X-31A anti-warship missiles -- demonstrates that the Chinese are beefing up their naval forces in preparation for a potential stand-off with Taiwan.
"The Su-30MK2 with the anti-warship missiles present a threat to Taiwanese and U.S. naval forces," he said.
The jet sale is only the most recent evidence of a Chinese naval buildup.
Early last year, Rosoboronexport signed a $1.4 billion deal to deliver two Project 956EM destroyers to China.
Later, Russian media reported there were contracts to deliver eight Project 636 diesel submarines and S-300F naval air-defense systems.
Sukhoi officials said late last year that they were working on a modification of their Su-30MK3 fighter planes in order to include upgraded avionics, such as new radar.
The Su-30MK3 is tailored for export, the company said, as well as domestic use.
The new jet is to be unveiled at the Moscow Air Show in August this year.
С уважением, Mike.