Real Deal: Pakistan Confirms Interest in Russian Su-35 Fighters

© AP Photo / Francois MoriA Sukhoi SU-35 jetfigther performs its demonstration flight during the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Thursday, June 20, 2013
A Sukhoi SU-35 jetfigther performs its demonstration flight during the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Thursday, June 20, 2013 - Sputnik International
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Pakistan is poised to upgrade its air force by purchasing what are arguably the best combat aircraft already in use - Russian Su-35 fighters, and here is why.

Mi-35 helicopters - Sputnik International
Russia-Pakistan Mi-35 Contract Could be Expanded
A Pakistani government official spoke to IHS Jane's, confirming that the sides had already discussed a possible purchase of the advanced aircraft, as the Pakistani Air Force requires a two-engine fighter "that can fly for a longer range than the JF-17 and penetrate more deeply into the enemy's territory".

Currently the country's air force operates a fleet of US F-16s, French Mirage-5s, Chinese F-7s and Sino-Pakistani JF-17s.

Earlier, Moscow and Islamabad clinched a deal on the delivery of Mi-35M transport and attack helicopters to Pakistan, and the contract could be expanded.  

While the media are discussing the PAK FA, F-35 and J-20, the fifth-generation aircraft being tested in Russia, the US and China respectively, the fully operational Su-35 seems even more reliable for the moment. It has been touted as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology", rendering it superior to other fourth-generation fighters under development.

© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy / Go to the mediabankSu-34 (left), T-50 (centre) and Su-35 (right) aircraft at the 2015 MAKS air show's opening ceremony in the Moscow suburban town of Zhukovsky.
Su-34 (left), T-50 (centre) and Su-35 (right) aircraft at the 2015 MAKS air show's opening ceremony in the Moscow suburban town of Zhukovsky. - Sputnik International
Su-34 (left), T-50 (centre) and Su-35 (right) aircraft at the 2015 MAKS air show's opening ceremony in the Moscow suburban town of Zhukovsky.

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In fact, only the absence of stealth technology and an active electronically scanned array formally separates this plane, which is unbelievably maneuverable at low speeds, from the family of fifth-generation jets.

The Su-35, NATO reporting name Flanker-E, is a multirole fighter that is capable of engaging several air targets simultaneously.

© Flickr / Rob SchleiffertSu-35
Su-35 - Sputnik International
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Su-35
© Photo : JSC Sukhoi CompanyРоссийский многоцелевой истребитель СУ-35
Su-35 - Sputnik International
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Российский многоцелевой истребитель СУ-35
© Sputnik / Artem Zhitenev / Go to the mediabankSu-35 aircraft during the Air Force Day celebration in Lipetsk.
Su-35 aircraft - Sputnik International
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Su-35 aircraft during the Air Force Day celebration in Lipetsk.
© Sputnik / Grigoriy Sisoev / Go to the mediabankA Sukhoi Su-35 fighter seen during the final rehearsal flight over the Zhukovsky Airfield outside Moscow before the MAKS-2009 international air show.
A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter - Sputnik International
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A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter seen during the final rehearsal flight over the Zhukovsky Airfield outside Moscow before the MAKS-2009 international air show.
© Sputnik / Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankМногоцелевой истребитель Су-35 во время Международного авиационно-космического салона "МАКС-2009" в Жуковском.
Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter - Sputnik International
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Многоцелевой истребитель Су-35 во время Международного авиационно-космического салона "МАКС-2009" в Жуковском.
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Su-35
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Российский многоцелевой истребитель СУ-35
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Su-35 aircraft during the Air Force Day celebration in Lipetsk.
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A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter seen during the final rehearsal flight over the Zhukovsky Airfield outside Moscow before the MAKS-2009 international air show.
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Многоцелевой истребитель Су-35 во время Международного авиационно-космического салона "МАКС-2009" в Жуковском.
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