Excuse me Mr. Putin, I have Bibi on the line, he just got off with Obama

Russia gears up for major marketing launch of its Su-35 fighter jets

MOSCOW -- Russia has launched its Su-35 fighter-jet program.

Russia's Sukhoi Co. has begun implementing a contract to deliver the Su-35 to the Russian Air Force. Under the contract signed in August 2009, the Russian Air Force, in the largest purchase in 20 years, would acquire 48 Su-35 fighters.

Su-35 Flanker

"Long-term contracts for the fighter aircraft delivery to the Russian Air Force and foreign customers allow Sukhoi Co. to provide for a steady work load of its serial plants by combat aircraft production and shift from modernizing aircraft in the Russian Air Force inventory to manufacturing new products," Sukhoi said.

In a statement on Nov. 17, Sukhoi said its plant on Komsomolsk-on-Amur has begun production of component parts. The company said serial production of the aircraft would begin in 2010.

Executives said Sukhoi and Russia's arms export agency, Rosoboronexport, have been briefing potential clients of Su-35. They said Algeria and Libya have expressed interest in the aircraft.

The Su-35 included a new phased array radar system with long-range aerial target detection. The aircraft, with stealth qualities, has been equipped with new air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.

"The Su-35 is a substantially modernized highly maneuverable multifunctional 4++ generation aircraft employing technologies of the fifth generation," Sukhoi said. "They make it superior to all other fourth generation fighter jets now under development worldwide."