Russia's Sukhoi Su-35 super-maneuverable multirole fighters will most likely become China's trump card in its longstanding geopolitical game in the South China Sea, US journalist Zachary Keck noted.

© AP Photo / Francois Mori All You Need is Su-35: China Should Buy Russian Fighter Jets – Chinese Media

The Sukhoi Su-35 (Su-35BM), an advanced multirole air fighter dubbed Flanker-E by NATO, boasts high maneuverability (+9g), enhanced avionics, more powerful engines, and a longer range than its predecessor Su-27 jet fighter.

The aircraft is equipped with high-capability weapon systems and can reach Mach 2.25 speed (2,390km/h).

The journalist pointed out that such Su-35's features as high fuel capacity and long range are also important for China, as they obviously will allow the geopolitical player to strengthen its positions in the South China Sea region.

© AFP 2020 / ROLEX DELA PENA / POOL South China Sea Air Defense Zone Hinges on Security Threats – Beijing

Indeed, currently China's PLAAF fighters can carry out only limited patrols of the South China Sea's areas, as their fuel capacity strictly determines the time of the mission. In contrast, the Su-35's range and speed may solve this problem, the journalist noted.

Remarkably, the Su-35 fighter jet is not only on par with the US-made F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and the new F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter, but is even outpacing them, according to the flight and weapons tests.

It is expected that China will buy 24 advanced fighters of this type by the end of this year, according to Russian jet manufacturer Yuri Slyusar, a chairman of United Aircraft Corp.

"Our position is that we still believe that we will sign the contract to sell 24 aircraft this year," Yuri Slyusar said, as quoted by Mr.Keck.