Attn: J-20 Hotdog, TR1
The title of this thread should be changed. It is quite interesting from a broader
perspective.
I am surprised why this SU-27 –> J-11 issue did not result in a massive diplomatic
spat between Russia and China, angry articles by Russian defence commentators
and fans aside. If, as it appears, China has been underhanded in its dealings, Russia
must have lost at least $5 billion to $10 billion in Flanker sales already. Yet,
1) Russia continues to faithfully supply engines to China, such as D-30, AL-31, and
RD-93 which has kept Chinese aircraft manufacturing alive and growing for the past
decade.
2) Russia still sells weapons to China such as that Ka-31 radar picket for the still to
be formed carrier battle group.
3) Continued cooperation in SCO, yearly military exercises.
4) Did Putin et al ever come out publically to condemn China?
etc. etc.
It does not make sense why Russia would be doing all this if China slapped it in the
face so blatantly. Could there have been some sort of deal in the 1990s that permitted
China to do this? I understand that Shenyang didn’t go through its entire consignment of
licenced SU-27 production – preferring to go it alone.
The country;s links go beyond military. Severing relations over a Su-27 copy is not worth it. One would hope consequences were introduced indirectly though…
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