Military Watch: China decided to buy Su-27 instead of MiG-29 from the USSR after drinking alcohol
The American edition of Military Watch cited one of the versions explaining China's purchase of Su-27 fighters from the USSR in the 1980s instead of the MiG-29.
The publication notes that at that time the Su-27 was considered the most advanced Soviet fighter, not intended for export. China was interested in acquiring the Su-27, but the USSR agreed only to sell the MiG-29, not allowing them to choose a more advanced aircraft.
According to Military Watch, the Soviet side could change its position after drinking alcoholic beverages together with the Chinese. "One Chinese source claimed that the Chinese interest in the Su-27 from the very beginning arose when officers from the two countries were drinking together, and a Soviet officer, after several shots, accidentally stated that the Su-27 was supposed to be available for export, which surprised the Chinese delegation and led to the cessation of interest in the MiG-29," the newspaper writes.
Military Watch reminds that China has become the only country that managed to buy the Su-27 from the USSR. The publication notes that the deal provided the Chinese military with the opportunity to fight American and Japanese F-15 Eagle fighters.
The publication says that China subsequently launched its own production of the Su-27, which differed from Russian aircraft with lighter and stronger composite materials, as well as modern weapons and sensors.
In January, Military Watch wrote that the Russian-made Su-30SM fighter is one of the most dangerous combat aircraft in Europe.
In the same month, the publication noted that the most important advantage of the Russian Su-35 fighter over the Ukrainian Su-27 is the presence of modern avionics in the first.
