News Report: What Russia's Strategic Bombers and 'Flying Radars' Were After in Asia

Su-35 (Flanker-E) fighter

Amid the US-South Korean Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) joint military drills in South Korea, Russia's strategic aircraft performed routine flights in the area. In doing so, Russia "simply and concisely showed its interests and capabilities" near the Korean Peninsula, according to Russian political commentator Alexander Khrolenko.

On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry's press service said that Russia's Tu-95MS strategic bombers carried out routine flights over international waters above the Sea of Japan, Yellow and East China seas.

The long-range planes were accompanied by a Su-35S fighter of the Eastern Military District and an A-50 Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft of the military-transport aviation.

It was very unusual for Russia's Tu-95MS to fly around the Korean Peninsula with an escort of such powerful aircraft, Alexander Khrolenko wrote in his op-ed for RIA Novosti.

At certain points along their route, the Russian strategic bombers were accompanied by aircraft of the South Korean Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

News Report: Russia's Tu-95MS Bombers Perform Routine Flight Over Int'l Waters in Asia

Russian Tu-95MS Bomber (Image: Wiki Commons)

Russia's Tu-95MS strategic bombers have carried out routine flights over international waters of the Sea of Japan, Yellow and East China seas, the Russian Defense Ministry's press service said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The long-range planes were accompanied by a Su-35S fighter of the Eastern Military District and A-50 Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft of military-transport aviation.

During the flight, Tu-95MS crews performed aerial refueling, according to the ministry.

The ministry noted that at certain stages of the route, the Russian strategic bombers were accompanied by aircraft of the Korean Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers have taken part in Russia's air campaign in Syria successfuly launching strikes against the terrorist group Daesh operating in the Middle East.

Russia’s military jets regularly carry out patrol flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic region, Atlantic Ocean, Black Sea and Pacific Ocean, the ministry said. All such flights are carried out in strict accordance with the international law regarding the use of neutral waters airspace, without violating borders of other states.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Report: Indonesia Hopes to Sign Su-35 Purchase Deal By End of 2017 - Ambassador

Indonesia hopes to sign a contract on the purchase of Russia's Su-35 fighter jets by the end of 2017, Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi told Sputnik on Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi said Jakarta expects to receive 11 aircraft as part of the countertrade program memorandum of cooperation, which the envoy said is the final stage before the contract is signed.

Russia's Rostec state corporation signed the memorandum with the Indonesian Trading Company earlier in August.

Su-35 is a multi-purpose super-maneuverable fighter of the 4++ generation, equipped with thrust-vectoring engines, ensuring the aircraft’s superiority over other jets of the same type. The jet’s maximum speed amounts to 1,550 miles per hour with a flying range reaching 2,100 miles.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: Indonesia to buy Russian SU-35 fighter jets

Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia will buy 11 Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia worth 1.14 billion USD in exchange for cash and commodities, Indonesian officials have said.

Details of the type and volume of commodities were “still being negotiated”, Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said in a joint statement with Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu on August 21.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Sukhois for palm oil - Russia and Indonesia announce new barter arrangement

A Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker Fighter

By: Matt Bodner

MOSCOW — After three painstaking years of negotiation, Russia and Indonesia have finally agreed to sign a major aerospace deal later this year: 11 top-of-the-line Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets in exchange for Indonesian palm oil, coffee, and other goods.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in Moscow on Friday. A final contract may be signed by the end of the year, Russia’s business daily Vedomosti reported on Aug. 6, citing an unidentified Rostec source.

The barter arrangement will be facilitated by Rostec and Indonesia’s state-owned trading company PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia. The exact terms of the deal have yet to be made public, but the Su-35s will be financed by Indonesian exports to Russia.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Indonesia's purchase on Su-35 fighter jets conducted with counter trade scheme - minister

A Russian Air Force Su-35 Flanker Fighter

JAKARTA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The purchase on 11 Sukhoi 35 fighter jets from Russia was conducted on counter trade scheme, obliging the Russian side to buy Indonesian commodities and defense components, an Indonesian minister said.

"The creation of counter trade was under the supervision of respective governments, implemented in the trade of 11 Sukhoi 35 with Indonesian export commodities among others comprised of coffee, tea, palm oil and defense industry products," Indonesia Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said in a statement released on Friday.

The counter trade scheme was mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) document of the plane purchase, signed by related officials from Indonesia's state-run trade firm of PPI and Russian state agency of Rostec, the minister said.

The minister expected similar scheme with Russia can be further applied in wider sector, not only in defense sector.

Delivery of Sukhoi 35 planes to Indonesia would commence next year.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Sky's the Limit for Joint Russian-Chinese Eurasian Air Defense Zone

A Russian Air Force Su-35 Flanker Fighter (File Photo)

The commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has signaled China's intention to continue the development of full-fledged cooperation with Russia's Aerospace Defense Forces. Russian military analyst Alexander Khrolenko says the signal of intent is the first step on the road to creating a common air defense in the Eurasian space.

Speaking to reporters at the opening ceremony of the Aviadarts-2017 international army games in Changchun, China, PLAAF commander Maj. Gen. Ma Xiaotian said that Beijing was looking to develop full-fledged cooperation with the Russian air force.

Ma emphasized that China and Russia are "friendly neighbors" which "play an important role in the global arena," adding that "in today's complex and volatile situation in the structure of international relations, both countries have common interests and strategic needs." The Chinese air force is looking to enhance cooperation in a number of areas, from joint tactical flight exercises to cooperation in the fields of missile defense and logistics, according to the officer.

Earlier, Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) commander Col-Gen Viktor Bondarev praised the state of Russian-Chinese air force cooperation, pointing out that relations between the two countries' air forces were "excellent."

"The Chinese side knows our planes and helicopters, and buys a great deal. I think that in the field of [military] aviation, we have found a balance and continue to work to our mutual benefit in this direction," Bondarev said.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Story: Indonesian DM confirms acquisition of 11 Su-35 fighter jets

A Russian Air Force Su-35 Flanker Fighter

JAKARTA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Wednesday that Indonesia decided to purchase 11 Russian-made Sukhoi 35 fighter jets as negotiations over the deal had already been finalized.

"There will be 11 planes. After two years, it was finally finalized," the minister said in the presidential palace.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: Russia, Indonesia Finalize Contract on Su-35 Fighter Deliveries

Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker Fighter

Rostec Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy Department Victor Kladov said that the contract between Rostec and Indonesia on the delivery of Su-35 fighters is agreed on.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia's Rostec state corporation has finalized a contract with Indonesia on the delivery of Su-35 fighters, Rostec Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy Department Victor Kladov said Tuesday.

"The contract is agreed on," Kladov told reporters.

Russia and Indonesia launched negotiations over the draft Su-35 contract in March, a senior Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) told Sputnik at the time.

The Su-35 fighter was developed by Russia's Sukhoi Company aircraft manufacturer between 2003 and 2008. It was first introduced to a foreign audience at the 2013 Paris Air Show as a "4++ generation" heavily-upgraded derivative of the Su-27 multirole fighter.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Report: 'In Russia-China-US Strategic Triangle, US Isn't Looking Very Confident'

A Congressional report released this week warned that Russian-Chinese military-to-military cooperation is moving toward a disturbingly high level. Commenting on the report, Radio Sputnik commentator Ilya Kharlamov suggested that its authors have a pretty superficial understanding of the causes behind the expanded cooperation.

Put out earlier this week, the report, created by the US-China Economic & Security Review Commission, indicates that Russian-Chinese military cooperation, including arms deals, joint war-games and increased contacts, has reached a level which "could pose challenges" to the US and its allies, particularly in the Asia Pacific Region.

The report stresses that as far US interests in the Asia go, the normalization of relations between Moscow and Beijing that started nearly thirty years ago, and which has gone on to include increasingly complex and expansive military exercises, as well as the sale of Russian Su-35 4++ multirole fighters and S-400 SAM systems, is troubling, for several reasons.

News Report: Demand for Russian Weapons Grows as Langkawi Exhibition 2017 Kicks Off

Russian Su-35 Flanker Fighter

The 14th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition 2017 has attracted over 555 participants from 36 countries. A total of 101 aircraft, 61 ships and boats will be on aerial and static displays.

Reports coming in from LIMA suggest that new contracts are being signed for supplies of Russian arms to countries of Southeast Asia. The regional market is one of the most important for Russia despite its geographical distance.

According to expert from the Center for Strategic Research Anton Tsvetov, the growing demand for Russian weapons speaks not only of the quality of Russian equipment but also of regional tensions.

The terms of contract for the supply of 12-18 multi-purpose SU-35 fighters of the 4+ generation are being discussed with Indonesia. The same fighters are being supplied to China. Other potential buyers include Venezuela and Vietnam.

News Story: UAE and Russia To Jointly Develop a New Fighter

Saab GlobalEye swing-role surveillance system

by David Donald

The biggest talking point at this week’s IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi was the announcement by Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov that the United Arab Emirates and Russia would jointly develop a fifth-generation light fighter. It will apparently be based on an advanced version of the Russian MiG-29. Chemezov also claimed that the UAE has been in separate discussions regarding the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35s.

The news came during the visit of a high-level Russian delegation led by trade and industry minister Denis Manturov. The minister and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, witnessed the signing of an agreement between Russia and the UAE covering cooperation in the defense industries. Manturov commented, “One of the fields of this cooperation is the creation, development and supply of the fifth-generation fighter jet.” Another deal was struck in which Middle East investors aim to acquire a minority stake in Russian Helicopters.

There were few firm aviation-related orders announced at the show. The most notable was one worth approximately $236 million from the UAE Air Force for a third Saab GlobalEye swing-role surveillance system from the Swedish manufacturer. At the Dubai Air Show in November 2015, the UAE announced an order for two of these aircraft, based on the Global 6000 business jet. At that same time, the UAE also ordered an update of the Erieye radar on its two Saab 340AEW aircraft to incorporate Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology.  

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: Russian defense ministry shows off Su-35S maneuverability

by Ryan Maass

The Russian Ministry of Defense recently demonstrated the flight capabilities of its Sukhoi Su-35S multirole fighter jet.

In a video released by the ministry, an Su-35S takes off from a runway and performs various flight maneuvers.

The Su-35S is a revamped version of the Su-35, a plane built to replace Soviet-era Su-27 fighters. The Russian government and its state-owned aerospace enterprise Sukhoi market the aircraft as a 4++-generation fighter.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

Nerws Story: Russia's Rostec to co-develop 5th-gen fighter with UAE

By: Jill Aitoro

Russia defense heavyweight Rostec will partner with the UAE Ministry of Defence to co-develop a fifth-generation light combat fighter, company CEO Sergey Chemezov said at IDEX in Abu Dhabi Monday. 

Development, which is based upon its MiG-29 twin-engine fighter aircraft, will kick off in 2018, and will take an estimated seven to eight years, Chemezov said during a media briefing with journalists. He elaborated in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Defense News. 

“That’s not fast, because it takes quite a long period of time to develop,” he said speaking through a translator. “We anticipate local production here in the Arab Emirates, for the needs of Emirates. And of course [we expect development to support the needs of] the neighboring countries." 

Details about how the partnership would be structured have not been finalized, though Chemezov said it could potentially function as a joint venture between the company and UAE or UAE's domestic suppliers. 

The announcement comes soon after confirmation by the company that it would support development of India’s fifth-generation advanced medium combat aircraft. Though Chemezov wouldn’t comment on deals still under negotiations, the company is expected to sign a contract for Su-35 aircraft for Indonesia any day. Egypt is another country that reportedly is in talks with Rostec for fighters – MiG-29 aircraft specifically. The two companies signed a $3.5 billion arms package in 2014 covering aircraft, missiles, and coastal defenses.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Report: Indian Air Force Su-30MKIs to Get Su-35 Engines After Modernization

Su-30MKI (Image: Wiki Commons)

United Engine Corporation CEO Alexander Artyuhov said that Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI operated by the Indian Air Force after modernization will get the AL-41F turbofan engines designed for 4++ generation aircraft currently being installed on the Su-35 fighters.

BENGALURU (Sputnik) – Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI operated by the Indian Air Force after modernization will get the AL-41F turbofan engines designed for 4++ generation aircraft currently being installed on the Su-35 fighters, United Engine Corporation CEO Alexander Artyuhov said Wednesday.

"Speaking of the modernization of the Su-30MKI aircraft in terms of the engine, we have developed the engine AL-41F1C, it is being installed on the Su-35. This engine is exhibited at our stand and can be used for the Su-30MKI," Artyuhov said during press conference at Aero India 2017.

He added that the engine was significantly superior than its predecessors.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI super-maneuverable fighter jet is a version of the Su-30MK developed for India by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. The Indian Air Force has a fleet of over 200 Russia-designed aircraft built under license by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The 11th edition of the Aero India exhibition will be held until 18 February. The expo is attended by over 750 companies from India and around the world.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: China may receive 10 Russian Su-35 jets in 2017

by Ryan Maass

China may receive its second batch of 10 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets by the end of 2017, according to Russian state media reports.

The Kremlin and Beijing signed off on the procurement of 24 jets in November 2015, and China received four of the planes in 2016. China expects delivery of the remaining 10 jets in 2018.

"The first four vehicles were supplied in late last year and the second batch of 10 jets will be delivered to the customer this year," the TASS news agency reports, quoting an unnamed source.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Story: Indonesian air force considering F-5 replacement plans

JAS39 Gripen (One of the  potential replacement fighters)

by Ryan Maass

Indonesia's competition to replace its aging fleet of F-5E Tiger II fighter jets is still open, the country's air force chief said.

The announcement was made by Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, who was sworn in as Indonesia's air force chief last week. According to The Diplomat, the country's government is considering the Russian Sukhoi Su-35, the U.S. F-16 Block 60 Viper, and the Swedish JAS39 Gripen to replace the F-5s.

"We are looking to replace the F5 Tiger after the jets have been grounded for at least a year," Tjahjanto told Quwa. "The Air Force is still looking for a potential replacement."

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Story: China Receives First Advanced Su-35 Flankers From Russia

An Su-35 Flanker-E of the Russian Air Force

By: Mike Yeo

MELBOURNE, Australia — China has taken delivery of the Sukhoi Su-35 “Flanker-E” fighter jet from Russia, according to Chinese state media. 

The Chinese military confirmed that it took delivery of four Su-35s in late December, the English-language China Daily newspaper reported without providing further details.  

However, an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft belonging to Russian charter company Volga-Dnepr was noted on the live flight-tracking website Flightradar24. The aircraft was flying from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where the Su-35 is built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO), to Cangzhou-Cangxian Airbase in China’s Hebei Province before carrying on to Suixi Airbase in Guangdong Province on December 25. 

Cangzhou-Cangxian is the home of the Flight Test and Training Centre (FTTC), the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) unit responsible for developing flying procedures, combat tactics and training programs for new aircraft types. Suixi is the nearest PLAAF base to the disputed islands of the South China Sea. 

It is not known if the Il-76 was accompanying the Su-35s, or operated as a separate flight carrying support equipment and spares for the newly-delivered fighters. China has also not released any official photos of its Su-35s, although grainy images purporting to be the PLAAF Su-35s have been published on Chinese social media.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Asian Fighter Aircraft Market Looking Bullish

The Mitsubishi ATD-X Shinshin prototype

By: Mike Yeo

MELBOURNE, Australia — The need for new fighter aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to remain buoyant, with simmering tensions centered on territorial disputes for resource-rich islands in the South and East China Sea being most often cited as the main driver for increased regional defense spending.

At the same time, a number of regional air forces are also facing obsolescence issues with all or part of their fleets over the next decade, as the many Cold War-era aircraft still in use need to be replaced. 

Still, economic uncertainties cloud an otherwise rosy outlook for the defense industry in the region, with shrinking defense budgets and competing priorities often conspiring to push big-ticket fighter purchases to the back burner. Here is a rundown of Asian countries with outstanding fighter requirements and the progress of the respective programs. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: China received first batch of four Su-35 fighter jets

A Russian Su-35 Flanker Fighter

According to an agreement reached between China and Russia at the end of 2015, China purchased 24 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, and new information of this arms deal was released on December 25, Hong Kong's Oriental Daily News said on its website on Monday, December 26.

Online news showed that the Russia has officially delivered first batch of four Su-35 fighter jets to China, and the four fighter jets arrived on Sunday at a flight training center of the PLA Air Force in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei province, which will be used in Su-35 pilots training.

Read the full story at Air Recognition