That means it was copied but the Russians are okay with it :).

IMO The J 20 takes a bit from everywhere, some elemtns of the MIG 1.44, some of the F-35 and some of the F 22 Raptor. So it cannot be called a copy of any one design. You have to admit that from the top down view it looks almost identical to a MIG 1.44.

I am only saying that India Air Force will have a lesser percentage of Russian fighters that is all. I am not mentioning costs or anything.

No India cannot, replacing Mig 21s with T 50 or Su 30s don’t make sense and is not economically viable.

I stand by what i said in the next decade IAF will have less % of Russian fighters than it has now in tis inventory.

Scooter, your reponses are pure BS. India alway operated a mix between western and russian aircraft. The Russians don’t lose market share.
The T-50 will be the future backbone of the IAF fleet and atm they are delivering Sukhois from Irkut and MiG’s from Sokol.
If anyone is on the losing side, it’s Western Europe, since U.S. companies are replacing them as suppliers of Western kit in the traditional fleetmix.

Su-30 –> T-50

Jaguar–> AMCA

M2k –> ?

And with the decision to go for the F-414, it would be quite strange to pick anything else then the Shornet as MRCA. Yes, no Gripen since this aircraft steps on the toes of the LCA.

T 50 or not Russians are going to lose Market share. MRCA and LCA are replacing Russian platforms primarily. MIG 21s,23s,27s, and eventually upgraded 29s.

T 50 is going to replace MKIs when its full complement enters service.

The West is offering 4.5 Generation fighters and respectfully India is hardly jointly developing the PAK-FA. As a matter of fact it just joined the program and will likely provide help with Composites and to some degree the addition of the second seat. Nonetheless, the PAK-FA is a Russian Design.

Personally, I wouldn’t at all be surprised. If, India selects a Western Company to join it on it’s future AMCA Program.

In short the past doesn’t equal the future…..

Clearly PAK FA is a Russian design, only deluded Indian posters will aruge otherwise.

But I do not expect India to be in a position like the partners of the JSF who are being denied radar source codes, India will possibly handle the radar software, mission computers and weapon integration of the Indian version. Depsite their industrial complex contributing more to the F 35 than Indias can contribute to the FGFA.

This is the difference between buying Russian and American. Even a friendly U.S administration is powerless before draconian legislations regards ToT that the Americans have.

And there is also significant amount of ToT that will be helpful to India’s future programs.

Ideally I would like the FGFA money to be spent on the AMCA, but India’s difficult strategic position ie. being surrounded by two Nuclear Powers warrants programs like the FGFA.

Will we see a Refuelling prob on the MK1 ?

You bring up a good points about Deliveries, Spares, Maintenance, etc. etc. of Western Types. So, as India has more exposure to such types. She maybe even more inclined to purchase Western over Russian Equipment!

Exactly but as long as the West is reluctant to offer the best technology they have and is iffy interms of Tot Russia will always be prefered for cutting edge tech.

oh and by the way, i was talking about the indian press when i asked why there had been so little reaction to those exercises. it doesn’t seem to make any difference whether stories are true or not, but i haven’t seen any and that makes me feel that there was something they didn’t want to report.

but only slitely so don’t get to worked up over it. you take my point though quadbike?:)

Press don’t get anything unless some one briefs them. Whether the IAF or the other participants, or unless there are some leaks. They were not briefed on this exercise thats all.