Just been reading in an Australian mag that China is trying to purchase Backfires and Bears from Russia. For so long Russia had deemd these systems too sencative to sell to China but since they are now old, they have no reason not to sell them.
Also since the production lines closed a long time ago, any that are sold will come from Russian surplus stocks.
What troulbles me is the tilt of balance of power in the region in favour of the Chinese, I mean, will the US now sell Taiwan some of their old B-52’s? Saddly I think not! So what will happen should the PLAN gain their desire and purchase these planes? Anyone wish to comment (I’d be interested in hearing what Arthur has to say about this matter also- Arthur old friend, any comment)?
By: Ja Worsley - 1st June 2005 at 05:40
40??? Wow, that’s going to creat a lot of surplus, India may get more after all.
The B-52 can also be used in the Maritime strike role and this is what I was refering to!
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st May 2005 at 22:26
I have heard that a Backfire deal is possible because Russia is about to retire 40-something from service.
By: JonS - 31st May 2005 at 21:09
B-52 is not comparable to those system both of which maritime patrol/strike aircrafts anyway its nothing new it has been reported since late 90s attempts by china to purchase those and as well India’s attempts to procure more bears and Tu-22m3 . A while back I believe PLAN tried to procure some Mays or Bear aircrafts but the russian asking price was too hi so negotiations went no where.
Currently russians are requiring that those systems will be supplied only if the countries sign paperwork to agree to russia royalty demands (no reverse engineering not even of parts, only russia can upgrade those platforms if not and a foreign firm is used they get royalties etc). I believe india just signed such an agreement not sure of china.
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May 31, 2005 at 8:22 pm