What weapons does Russia sell to China?
As one of Russia's major customers in the arms market, China this week became the target of US sanctions for buying Russian fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles.
NewspaperSouth China Morning Post (SCMP)Citing figures from Russia's defense export company Rosoboronexport, Russia sold about $15 billion in weapons to China in 2017, the same as the previous year.
Russia is the world's second-largest arms exporter after the United States. Meanwhile, China is among the top five arms importers in the world, along with India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
The US announced this week it was imposing sanctions on a Chinese military unit after it bought Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 air defense systems from Russia. The US said the sanctions were aimed primarily at Russia and not at reducing the defense capabilities of any other country.
NewspaperSCMPlisted some of the weapons that China bought from Russia.
Sukhoi Su-35
Su-35 aircraft (Photo: Aviationist)
The US State Department said that China took delivery of 10 Su-35 fighter jets in December 2017, becoming the first foreign country to purchase the Russian version of the aircraft. The Su-35 is powered by two AL-117S engines and is equipped with thrust vector control. In addition, the Su-35 is also equipped with a multi-function radar that can track 30 targets at the same time.
In May this year, China sent Su-35 jets along with H-6K strategic bombers to fly through the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the northern islands of the Philippines in a show of force.
S-400 air defense system
S-400 system (Sputnik)
China has purchased a Russian S-400 system this year, the US State Department said, which is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world. The S-400 includes missiles with different ranges, ranging from 40m to 400km and can destroy targets at altitudes of 10m to 30km to create a multi-layered defense network.
The S-400's modern radar improves its ability to detect drones and its ability to prevent electronic interference.
The system can track 300 different targets at the same time and attack 36 targets simultaneously. It can attack targets moving at speeds of up to 4.8 km/s (or Mach 15).
Russia is also said to be about to sell S-400s to Türkiye despite warnings from the US and its NATO allies.
Kamov helicopters
Kamov Ka-32A11VS helicopter (Photo: Military)
China purchased seven Kamov Ka-32A11VS multi-role helicopters from Russia in 2016, and two more in 2017. The contract also includes operational training support for Chinese pilots.
The Kamov Ka-32 multi-role helicopter is suitable for a variety of missions including firefighting, search and rescue, and patrolling.
The Ka-32 is capable of carrying cargo and equipment both internally and externally. The coaxial rotor allows it to land accurately in mountainous terrain or densely populated areas.
The helicopter can also be fitted with special equipment such as water cannons for firefighting. It is also suitable for construction work in mountainous terrain and cargo transport.
AL-31 aircraft engine
China has ordered 150 AL-31F engines from Russia. By the end of last year, China had taken delivery of 100 of them.
The AL-31F engine is primarily used by China to power its Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter jet. China is believed to have built dozens of J-15s for deployment on the Liaoning aircraft carrier. In addition, some AL-31FM engines are also suitable for China's fifth-generation stealth aircraft Chengdu J-20.
China also purchased nearly 400 AL-31FN engines for the Chengdu J-10 and 10 AL-41F-1S engines as spare parts for the Su-35.
D-30 engine
The D-30 engine could be used for aircraft such as the Y-20 military transport aircraft or China's H-6K bomber.
Using the D-30 engine, the H-6K is a strategic bomber that entered service with the Chinese military in October 2009. This aircraft is said to have a combat radius of up to 3,500km.
