The $2.5bn contract for the delivery of a total of 24 long-range 4+ + generation super-maneuverable aircraft was signed between Rostec and the Chinese government in November 2015. Four Su-35s were previously delivered to China in 2016, and 10 more were shipped in 2017.

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Beijing will receive 10 more fighter jets this year, as was earlier defined in the contract, Interfax reports, citing a statement by the company at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is being held from May 24 to 26.

The fifth generation technology of the Sukhoi-35 renders it superior to other fighters of similar classes. China is currently one of the top buyers of Russian arms.

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