Oh, do not think I am trying to ridicule the Su-35 coming into PAF colours. If not the PAF, the Chinese version of the Flanker will. At the end of the day, it is business. Russia does big business with India and with China. It does not want to give China the top end of the tech and yet wants to sell. It does not want to anger the Indians and still sell a few Sukhois. Why not sell the Chinese a Su-35. This will be one level below the Russian higher end. Chinese use it and learn from it for couple of years and then sell it to Pakistan or sell Pakistan their version of it. But, all this I see completed if CPEC is completed. I do not want to go off topic here. But, if CPEC is completed it is in China's interest to provide the Chinese flankers at ridiculously low rates to the PAF.
Well, Russia selling weapon is not going to be influenced by any other purchaser for sure and that is what I expressed in earlier posts. Also, we are currently dealing in RD-93 engines, an overhaul facility at PAC for the same and MI Helis. Rest about SU-35, it is still, as i said, a news regarding Pakistan interest in SU-35 and I am sure, ifffff there is any interest (for the sake of arguments) then indeed the officials knows the circumstances, aftermath and any possibility of Indian Lobby and outcome. After all, it is always about business/money, geopolitics a bit and nation interest at most.
Indeed CPEC is progressing and day is not far to be completed. I don't know what you are implying by stating that Chinese will use it and learn from it etc. There are many things not available for public, especially when it comes to Pakistan and Chinese procurement and weapons so I would believe anything on the day as officials shared a word on such subject however, as ACM said in near past, we have the options from East and West both that we are looking at so who knows whats next.
IMO, if it has to be through China then I would prefer Chinese Flankers because we are very use to deal with China, we understand the norms of our dealings among us, we feel easy and trusted when it comes to China supply and no sanction doubts as well as economically and our riders have a standard information on Chinese Flankers as well.
Whether it is going to be Russian Flanker or Chinese, still things have to be materialized and picture is not clear yet with no solid substance but mere news and quotes however, I am sure, as soon as PAF feels the necessity of dual engine, long range bird due to the threat from Rival, there will be shift in policy and there will be counter measures as well and who knows, if things are changing within house but we will be seeing some development as soon as Rafale is finalized and coming in Indian colour.
There could be many ways, ifffff SUs have to come in PAF like not to anger India, hand them over to China and then pave a way to end it in PAF or allow China to export their own made version of Flanker to Pakistan with copyright fee or China helping Pakistan procuring SUs through assurance of payment from us and assurance of after sale service from Russia etc but all these are just the wild guesses and will be coming though. There were talks about our interest in EFT as well and few are still in hope to see that bird so in the end, both birds are capable and lethal as well as beautiful but whether any of them will make it or not, only time will tell and I am more interested for official statement in such subject.
