When I think “SAC” I’m thinking in terms of flying intercontinental ranges. In the case of the Indian Air Force, yes the Su-30s are fine for dealing with Pakistan, but not for the PRC’s main strategic targets on the coastal side of the country, even if they’re playing cruise missile truck, which would really degrade their range which at altitude is 1620 miles. Problem is that with the PRC IADS, they’re going to be flying a lot on the deck.

Yeah, Backfire could get the job done (range of 4900 miles), but with the IADS that the PRCs been putting together, a smaller RCS (tweakable) and better performing engines (more difficult) would be a plus even as an ALCM truck.

I am surprised that India is not even planning on the development or acquisition of a long range bomber, like you said it is a valuable asset against the PRC.

On the DPSU and Private Sector issue, it is some of the congress leaders with socialist leanings that are causing the problems. This include Mr. Antony :(.

Customisation is different from co-development is different from license production. Customised variants can be license-built, but do not have to be. See the F-16E, a customised variant for the UAE entirely built in the USA. Licence-built aircraft can be standard models, or customised. Customised models can be customised by the original manufacturer, or the licence-builder. India has built Jaguars under licence, & customised them itself. The customisation does not make them co-developed (India had no input into the original development of Jaguar), nor cause them to no longer be licence-built. The customisation is Indian-developed.

According to well informed article by Ajay Shukla which i posted here, the basic difference will only be in name. Russia will buy 50 twin seaters (call FGFA if u want name dont matter) and India 50 single seaters.

India is going to contribute 25% of all FGFA or PAK FA vairants (Russian and Indian). There will be slight difference in avionics because of operational differences of Indian and Russian air forces and the climates.

FGFA – PAK FA same thing different name.

India do not want to call their front line fighter ‘PAK’ FA.

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2010/01/india-russia-close-to-agreement-on-next.html