Iran announced that it would buy Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, the first time in nearly 40 years that Iran has purchased fighter jets from a foreign country, and it is also a rejection of China's J-10C. Why didn't Iran buy the J-10C and choose the Su-35?What are the flaws of the J-10C that make Iran dare not start?
The J-10C is a third-generation semi-fighter independently developed by China, which has the characteristics of single-engine, medium-sized and multi-purpose, and can perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, air-to-sea and other missions, and can also launch nuclear **.
The J-10C's advantages lie in its advanced active phased array radar, long-range missiles, and shunning capabilities, which can achieve over-the-horizon strikes and aerial dogfights. The disadvantages of the J-10C lie in its small payload, short range, and weak continuous turning ability, which limits its multi-purpose combat capability and long-range combat capability.
The Su-35 is Russia's leading fighter jet, which has the characteristics of twin-engine, heavy and multi-purpose, and can also perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, air-to-sea and other missions, and can also launch nuclear **. The advantages of the Su-35 lie in its powerful thrust, large radar, long range, large bomb load, etc., which can achieve long-range strikes and air superiority.
The disadvantages of the Su-35 lie in its backward radar technology, average missile performance, and unstable vector thrust, which affect the effectiveness of its over-the-horizon strikes and aerial dogfights. On the whole, the J-10C and Su-35 have their own advantages and disadvantages, but the Su-35 has an overwhelming advantage in range and bomb load, which is more suitable for Iran's land area and surrounding threats.
There is a close military cooperation between Iran and Russia, which is also an important reason why Iran chose the Su-35. Iran is under Western sanctions and isolation, which has led to restrictions on its options in terms of military equipment. With the exception of China, only Russia is willing to give Iran an advanced **.
There are also reciprocal exchanges between Iran and Russia, for example, Iran has sent drones to Russia, and Russia has sent anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran. Iran and Russia also share common political and security interests, such as opposing US hegemony, supporting the Assad regime in Syria, and maintaining stability in the Middle East. Iran's purchase of the Su-35 will not only enhance its own air force strength, but also strengthen its strategic partnership with Russia.
The arms trade between China and Iran is not smooth, which is an important reason why Iran abandoned the J-10C. The arms trade between China and Iran has been sanctioned and interfered with by the United States, resulting in great risks and pressure on China to go to Iran. For example, China once sent C-802 anti-ship missiles to Iran, but it was strongly punished by the United States.
Arms trade between China and Iran has also been subject to technological and political restrictions, preventing China from providing Iran with the most advanced services. For example, the Chinese J-10C uses some Western technologies and components, which may cause Western opposition and sanctions if it is sent to Iran.
Arms trade between China and Iran is also constrained by economics and trust, preventing China from providing the most preferential treatments** and services to Iran. For example, the cost of maintenance of the Chinese J-10C may be higher than that of the Russian Su-35, and the political and economic relationship between China and Iran is not stable, which may affect the delivery and use of the J-10C.
Iran chose to buy the Su-35 instead of the J-10C due to many considerations, including technical, political, economic and other factors. Iran's decision is a regret and a warning to China. China should strengthen independent innovation to improve the performance and competitiveness of the J-10C, and at the same time, China should strengthen friendly cooperation with Iran, remove obstacles to arms trade, and strive for more market share.