Russia To Supply Su-35 Communications Systems to China From Next Year

Russia’s United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC) will begin supplying China with communication systems for its newly ordered Sukhoi Su-35 jet fighters from next year.

This is the first confirmation from a Russian agency giving an indication of the approximate delivery of the aircraft systems to China. Russian reports said on November 19 that China had signed on to purchase 24 fighter jets for US$2 billion without giving any details of the contract or delivery timeframe.

“Deliveries of communication equipment for the fighters will begin in 2016, ground-based communication technology is planned to be handed over to China in 2017,” UIMC said in a statement.

UIMC Deputy chief executive Sergey Skokov said the S-108 equipment boasts expanded radio link bandwidth, several simultaneous data transfer lines, shortened delivery times and improved data integrity under electronic warfare conditions.

There has been no official comment from China regarding its Su-35 purchase. Reports appearing in Chinese government-owned media quote either Russian or Western sources on the deal.