September 29, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Greetings
I am a long time lurker but first time visitor! I’m studying in Europe but from Venezuela. Not too long ago I met up with another Venezuelan who was also studying in my college and found out that he had a brother who is an officer in the FAV. As I am a big aviation fan, we started talking about many things like the Sukhoi 30, Mil-24, and other aircrafts. I also learn some things too about what the officers are interested in for the future of FAV. For example many rumors is saying that FAV will acquire Sukhoi 35 but it seem that this is not true and FAV actually want to get more Sukhoi 30s because it would be easier for the supply maintainance. Also it is rumor that the 35 program is not going so well and he thinks that Russia may not buy much of it if at all!! But biggest news was what many officers thought would be important for future acquisitions. While FAV do not want the Sukhoi 35 and prefer more 30s, in the long term FAV is interested in reducing the fighter aircraft to two type.. Sukhoi 30 and a new one, this will remove F-16 and the F-5. The officers narrow it down to the new Russian T-50 and Chinese J-20!! the reason for these two is because many political changes in our country resulted in the big change of suppliers and international preference, so it is difficult to continue buying American and Europe may be kind of hard but do not have anything that much better than Sukhoi 30. Also FAV operates some Chinese aircraft now too and our link with China is much bigger than before. In addition FAV is considering a LIFT aircraft that can also function as light attack aircraft and replace some roles of our F-5 and suppelment the K-8 that is a basic trainer. FAV narrow it down to Yak-130 and L-15 from China. So I ask what the forum people think, actually my knowledge of mjilitary aircraft is still really basic but it would be really interesting to know which aircraft fit FAV better for the next fighter and next leading fighter trainer and light attack. I will tell my freind to tell his brother. He will probably laugh but may find it interesting the result from this forum!