China to Buy Su-33 Carrier-Based Fighters from Russia?
04-Jan-2009 11:46 EST
Near the end of October 2006, Russias Kommersant newspaper revealed that Russian state-run weapon exporter Rosoboronexport is completing negotiations with China to deliver up to 48 Sukhoi SU-33 (NATO codename: Flanker-D) carrier-capable fighter aircraft in a purchase deal reportedly worth $2.5 billion. The SU-33 is a variant of Sukhois SU-27 Flanker with forward canards, foldings wings, an arrester hook, a reinforced structure, and other modifications that help it deal with carrier operations and landings.
At present, reports regarding the sale and Chinas aircraft carrier intentions both remain somewhat murky. What is not in doubt, however, is that China has expressed interest and is presently in negotiations to acquire these aircraft. Now a number of data points and public statements are adding more fuel to that boiler, as Chinas plan takes shape
The PLA Navy has made contradictory statements regarding its wish to have an operational aircraft carrier, but most expert observers believe they are working on a program to do so. Assurances that the Varyag is destined to be a floating hotel do appear somewhat at variance with the PLAN paint job the question is whether the Chinese believe they can bring it up to operational status, or are simply using the ship as a learning platform in preparation for their own construction efforts later.
In October 2006, SinoDefence.com reported that China will spend $100 million to buy 2 Su-33 fighters from Komsomolsk-on-Amur Production Association for trial and evaluations, with delivery expected in 2007-08. Reports claim there is also an agreed option for another 12 Su-33 fighters, with the potential for the deal to grow to 48 SU-33s and $2.5 billion. They add that Chinas Dalian Shipyard is currently refitting the ex-Soviet Navy aircraft carrier Varyag, acquired in extremely poor condition from the Ukraine in 1999.
China will begin construction of the countrys first domestically produced aircraft carriers in Shanghai next year, with an eye to completing two mid-sized carriers by 2015, military and shipbuilding sources said. Beijing is also expected to complete work on a never-finished former Soviet aircraft carrier moored in the northeastern port of Dalian, to provide training for carrier-based pilots and crew. The two 50,000- to 60,000-ton carriers will rely on conventional propulsion systems, not nuclear power
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According to sources close to Shanghai municipal authorities, one of the worlds largest shipbuilding facilities was completed this fall on Changxingdao island at the mouth of the Changjiang river near Shanghai. One of the four docks there is for construction of the aircraft carriers, they said.
Dec 23/08: Chinas defence ministry spokesman Huang Xueping discusses that countrys carrier plans during a rare press conference, called to announce the dispatch of Chinese warships to the Somali coast on anti-piracy patrols. When asked about rumors of a Chinese aircraft carrier, he said that:
An aircraft carrier is a symbol of overall national strength and a symbol of the competitiveness of the nations naval force
The Chinese government will take into overall account the relevant factors and seriously consider the relevant issue.
Oct 24/08:
Russian sources have now told Janes that under the current proposal the Russian in-service Su-33 would be put back into production and the PLAN would acquire 14 of this type to be used for the training phase of the programme
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The next step will be to modernise the Su-33, which was first designed in the late 1980s, with a new set of state-of-the-art onboard systems, a KnAAPO representative told Janes on the eve of the biennial Air Show China in late October. What this new aeroplane is most likely to be is a combination Su-33 airframe with a radar, avionics and cockpit instrumentation that is a developed configuration based on the Su-30MK2, and this will be the PLANs operational version.
Sept 19/08: Indian Express cites a small article in a recent issue of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, which announced that the first batch of 50 pilots cadets have been inducted at the Dalian Naval Academy to undergo training on ship borne aircraft flight. The first batch of pilots undergoing training on basic theories of surface ship and flight will reportedly graduate from the academy in 4 years.
Nov 1/06: Russian news agency RIA Novosti describes the negotiations as at a preliminary stage. That same article also noted that Alexander Denisov, who headed Russias delegation at Airshow China 2006, said that Russia is ready to help China design an aircraft carrier if asked.
China to Buy Su-33 Carrier-Based Fighters from Russia?
