The sale of 24 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets to China, finalized in 2015 for $2.5 billion, is viewed as a strategic miscalculation by Russia. This transaction has enabled China not only to acquire advanced aircraft but also to potentially reverse-engineer and extract critical technologies, including thrust vectoring engines, the Irbis-E radar system, and sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities. Analysts suggest that China’s primary interest may lie in enhancing its indigenous military aircraft programs rather than deploying the Su-35 in active service. The implications of this deal are profound, as it could accelerate the technological advancement of China’s air force, posing a notable challenge to Russian dominance and altering the balance of power in the region.
