MOSCOW, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- China and Russia were near a deal to sell modern Russian fighter jets to Beijing, an official with Russia's arms-export company said.
Viktor Komardin, deputy head of the state-run Rosoboronexport, said Saturday negotiations on the proposed 2014 sale of an unspecified number of Su-35 warplanes were nearly completed.
"Talks are ongoing, but the deal is unlikely to be sealed before the year's end," Komardin told Russia's RIA Novosti news agency. "The signing will most likely take place next year."
Komardin said the talks currently centered on the details of the multi-role plane's technology. China was also expected to strike a deal for missiles and other ordnance.
The Su-35 is an extensively updated version of the Su-27, a current mainstay of Russia's air force.
