Russia has put freeze on negotiations on delivery of Su-35 fighters to China, Lenta.ru reports.
As reported by the Deputy Director General of Rosoboronexport, Viktor Komardin, the reason for this move is Beijing’s intention to acquire a small batch of these fighters.

"We are promoting Su-35 at the Chinese market. But China intends to acquire a limited batch, while we insist on wholesale quantity in order to make it profitable", - Komardin explained, noting that the Russian proposal exceeds the quantity considered by Beijing by times. The negotiations are being carried out at the level of “ministries and agencies” without the participation of Rosoboronexport.

At that Komardin added that China has “an advanced aircraft industry”. The country is interested in development of its own production instead of acquisition of foreign aircraft.

Kommersant has already reported in early March 2012 with reference to sources close to the military-industrial complex, that Russia is ready to sell a batch of 48 Su-35s to China, but Moscow demands Beijing’s legal guarantees for denial of copying the Russian fighters. The amount of the potential deal was assessed at $4 billion.

China has taken interest in Su-35 for the first time in 2008, however the negotiations have been started only in 2011, when the Chinese party has submitted an offer to Russia.

Su-35 is the 4++-generation multi-role fighter. Maximum flight speed is about 2,500 km/h, range — 3,400 km, combat radius — about 1,600 km. It is equipped with 30-mm cannon and has 12 mounting points for missiles, bombs, etc.