PLANAF gets better SU-30s than PLAAF?

Looks like PLANAF’s SU-30MK2s and SU-30MK3s are going to be better than the PLAAF’s SU-30MKKs.

From Richard Fisher at

http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/index.jsp?section=static&page=zh…

=================================================================

Revealed: Sukhoi Su-30MK3

A high Sukhoi official revealed that the Su-30MK2 is 1) being produced for the PLA Navy and 2) this model will be succeeded by the Su-30MK3 in future production batches. The Su-30MK2 is different from the PLA Air Force’s Su-30MKK in that it has a more powerful radar and will be armed with long-range anti-ship cruise missiles. The Su-30MK3 will have an even better radar, mission avionics and possibly a more powerful engine. Sukhoi officials said that by the end of 2002 a contract will be signed for 28 Su-30MK2s. It was also stated that next the PLA would order up to 40 of the Su-30MK2 or Su-30MK3. This points to a very significant naval air strike buildup by the PLA Navy. At a minimum the PLA Navy could be planning on the flexibility to give each of its three major fleets a regiment of Su-30s. This number of dedicated naval strike Su-30s, when coordinated with submarine and ship strikes, significantly increases the PLA Navy’s sea-denial capability, and increases the threat to US carrier groups based in the Western Pacific.

================================================================
Shenyang J-11 This is a J-11, a Sukhoi Su-27SK produced from kit components made by the KnAAPO factory in Russia. The J-11 now has a better factory finish than Russian-made fighters. Photo: RD Fisher via Shenyang brochure

=================================================================
At least 68 Sukhois for PLA Navy. A high Sukhoi official stated that 28 naval attack versions of the Su-30MKK would be purchased by the end of 2002, with an expected 40 more to follow. This would give the PLAN the option of basing one Su-30 regiment with each of its three fleets. The Su-30MK3 is expected to carry a 300km range radar and be able to fully use the Kh-59MK missile. Photo: RD Fisher

=================================================================

Sukhoi-Shenyang Coproduction Details

The same Sukhoi official also revealed new details about their co-production of Su-27SK (J-11) fighters with the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). So far, SAC has assembled from KnAAPO produced kits, about “several dozen” aircraft. This could mean about 48 aircraft. Another official stated that this number could be 80-120, but that could also be an indication of the eventual end number of assembled aircraft. At the 2000 Zhuhai show a high SAC official stated that SAC would not produce all 200 aircraft stipulated in a 1996 contract. The same Sukhoi official expressed immense surprise in SAC’s ability to improve its production quality in the last three years. The official confirmed that Russian engineers had to be brought in to correct significant production flaws for the first two J-11s. But he also noted that SAC has procured modern production equipment from Russia, Japan, Sweden and the US. With visible embarrassment, he stated that the production finish for the SAC produced fighters is better than that for Russian-made fighters.
==================================================================

(scooped by Tigershark in the CMF and Xinhui at the CDF)