Russia will deliver the first four Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) fighter jets to China before the yearend under the contract signed in 2015, a source in the system of Russia’s military and technical cooperation told TASS on Friday. "China will receive the first four Su-35 fighter jets this year," the source said.

According to the source, the remaining aircraft will be delivered to China within the next two years. It was reported last year that Russia and China had signed a contract for the delivery of 24 Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets. The contract is worth no less than 2 billion dollars. China has become the first foreign customer of advanced Su-35 aircraft.

According to the source, Russia is planning to fulfill the contact completely over three years.

The press office of the United Instrument-Manufacturing Corporation, part of Russia’s state hi-tech corporation Rostec, told TASS earlier that the corporation had already started to manufacture communications systems for Su-35 fighter jets designed for China.

The Su-35 is a highly upgraded 4++-generation super-maneuverable multipurpose fighter jet incorporating fifth-generation technologies. The jet incorporates a reinforced airframe, improved avionics and radar, thrust-vectoring engines, and a reduced frontal radar signature. Its maximum speed is 2,390 km/h (1,490mph), range is 3,600 km (1,940 miles), and combat radius - around 1,600 km (995 miles). The jet is armed with 30 mm GSh-301 internal cannon with 150 rounds and 12 hardpoints capable of carrying rockets, missiles and bombs.