No F-35? Turkey looks to the Russian Su-57 jet and the Chinese FC-31

Turkey after the probable "stop" to supply the # F-35 would be looking more and more to the Russian #Sukhoi jets, or the Su-57, a direct competitor of the F-35. The news was reported by the Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak. The Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighter aircraft is a single-seat stealth multi-role aircraft designed for air superiority and attack roles. It is equipped with an advanced avionics system and an airborne active phase-alignment radar, as well as a variety of high-precision weapons. The plane made its maiden flight in 2010 and is still being studied and continuously updated.

China did not stand by and offers the # FC-31 fighter on the market. The FC-31 possesses very similar capabilities to the US F-35 fighters, making it a very attractive option for international buyers.

Turkey, therefore, would be considering both the purchase of the FC-31 produced by China and the Su-57 of Russia. This was revealed by China Central Television, citing Turkish media.

Turkey's change of course is due to the fact that the United States has threatened Turkey not to deliver the 100 F-35As as planned if Ankara confirms the entry into operation of the Russian S-400 air defense system. System considered a threat if set up with the F-35, aircraft delivered only to NATO allies and strategic partners.  

Potential buyers such as Turkey may need a substantial number of stealth fighters, and they could purchase both the FC-31 and Su-57 if they don't receive the F-35s, said Xu Guangyu, senior consultant at the Association. China for arms control and disarmament. In this regard, Xu also stated that China and Russia are not yet ready to deliver the aircraft, at least 100 units, in a short time.

The FC-31 of China, the Su-57 of Russia and the US F-35 are the only three stealth fighters available on the international arms market.

Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation under state ownership of the Aviation Industry Corporation in China, the FC-31 is a fifth-generation multi-purpose stealth fighter aircraft for the foreign market.

He made his public debut at the Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in southern China, but later on he heard relatively little about it. Analysts explained that it is constantly being updated and could be used as a fighter for China's next-generation aircraft carriers.

"The Chinese stealth fighter has not yet entered mass production, which means that it is still being improved, in a year or two it will probably be built with more advanced and modern technologies," Xu said.

The FC-31 is very similar to the F-35 in terms of tactical capabilities, however, thanks to its particular thrusters it could far surpass the American jet.

 

No F-35? Turkey looks to the Russian Su-57 jet and the Chinese FC-31

| Economics, EVIDENCE 2 |