Russia refuses to sell Su-35, S-400s to China

S-400 TELs at a military parade in Russia

Moscow has often complained about how China reverse-engineers its defense articles to produce cheaper versions that then compete with it on the exports market 

The Taiwanese air force will perhaps sigh in relief at the news that Russia is refusing to sell China Sukhoi Su-35 multirole aircraft — one of the world’s most advanced fighters — and top-of-the-line S-400 air defense systems over fears that Chinese engineers could eventually copy the technology. 

The Russian-language Kommersant business newspaper reported earlier this year that Beijing last year had requested 48 Su-35s, valued at more than US$4 billion, as well as an unspecified number of S-400 systems. 

With Taiwan already playing catch-up in the race for control of airspace in the Taiwan Strait, this development will provide relief, as the introduction of the Su-35 would have added to Taipei’s headaches.

My article, published today in the Taipei Times, continues here.