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| Sukhoi Su-35 Fighter (File Photo) |
China's acquisition of Su-35 supermaneuverable multirole fighters from Russia is necessary despite the development of the J-11D air superiority fighter, writes the Beijing-based Sina Military Network.
The J-11D, an upgraded version of the J-11B, conducted its maiden flight on April 29, just as China is preparing to receive its first batch of 24 Su-35 aircraft from Russia.
The J-11D is equipped with active electronically scanned array radar technology currently being tested in the J-10C and has a mid-air refueling pipe. The aircraft also has different wingtip pylons to the basic J-11 model and the J-11B, which analysts believe will be to equip the new PL-10 high-mobility combat missile and add additional decoys. In addition, the J-11D will install a new digital fly-by-wire flight control system that is considered an upgrade from the J-11B's system that was modeled after that of the Russian Su-27SK.
Sina Military said both the J-11D and the Su-35s are important for China to maintain a strong military presence in its three key strategic regions: the country's southeast coast, the South China Sea and the China-India border.
Read the full story at Want China Times