Moscow and Beijing expect to sign a deal on the sale of Russian Su-35 fighter jets to China in 2014, a senior official at the Russian arms exports monopoly said Saturday.
"Talks are ongoing, but the deal is unlikely to be sealed before the year's end. The signing will most likely take place next year," said Viktor Komardin, deputy head of state-run Rosoboronexport.
He did not say how many multirole fighter jets China wants to buy, but added that Beijing is also interested in purchasing ordnance for them.
"There will definitely be integrated weapons, but we'll be discussing external weapons," Komardin said.
However, Rosoboronexport head Anatoly Isaikin told a group of Chinese pilots during the MAKS airshow in Russia last week that they will "soon" have the opportunity to fly the Su-35.
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