Noted for its exceptional performance, the Sukhoi Su-27 is not only one
of the most capable fourth-generation fighters but its development
history is also remarkably rich. The 'Flanker' story took on a new
industrial and political dimension when the Su-27 was chosen by China to
meet the People's Liberation Army Air Force's requirement for a new
fourth-generation type.
This was a win-win-situation: Russia received a much-needed
multi-billion-dollar contract and the PLAAF, for the first time,
obtained a true high-end fourth-generation fighter. However, what
followed was a complex drama, with both sides telling different stories.
Following the direct sale from Russia, China obtained a contract for
license manufacturing. This yielded mixed success in the beginning and
by the time the manufacturing procedures had evolved and improved, the
licensed J-11 fighters no longer met the PLAAF's requirements.
Subsequently, China developed indigenous variants of the 'Flanker'
equipped with improved avionics, weapons, and engines, which Russia
regards as a breach of the formal agreement. Regardless of whether these
'Sino-Flankers' are illegal copies, evolved clones or indigenous
versions, the Chinese 'Flanker' series ultimately evolved into a wide
range of variants, sometimes with no true counterparts in Russia.
This book provides a full overview of the Chinese 'Flanker' family,
describing the genesis of this family and providing a review of the
variants, their systems, and capabilities and how they are used by the
People's Liberation Army.
