Only to a neophyte.
Did they buy one used from one of our so-called allies, steal the blueprints via their usual, daily technology theft or did obamao just given them one because he likes them and he wants them to continue to buy our debt?
It's well known that the Soviets were all over the Iranian F-14s after the Shah was deposed so the Sukhoi and MiG designers had unfettered access to go over them with a fine toothed comb. However, the Chicomms had no need to obtain a Tomcat from Iran. They just copied the Su-33 and Su-27 they acquired from the Soviets.
Neophyte...beats ignoramus. Ok, as you pointed out, the Russians were all over the F-14’s after the Shah was betrayed by Carter (er, deposed), and appeared to have copied it. Then the Chicoms (there’s a term I haven’t heard lately but remains totally accurate)copied it from the Russians. So, a copy of a copy; true they do lose their exactness after several parties copy them, don’t they?