Why spend 5 bil on development if MKIzing is the way to go??? How stupid are you? IAF is correct when it says no more than $ 2bil needs to be spent if finally we are only going to change russian equipment for superior western ones. Anyway I don’t see Pak-Fa going anywhere unless IAF backs it. I would rather see them spend that on Kaveri with snecma and MCA. Currently even MTA seems a non starter.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071110/ap_on_re_us/overheating_helicopters;_ylt=AoH22JDecDyS6G0r7HzIPSKs0NUE

AP IMPACT: New Army chopper overheats

By AARON C. DAVIS, Associated Press Writer Fri Nov 9, 11:15 PM ET

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Army is spending $2.6 billion on hundreds of European-designed helicopters for homeland security and disaster relief that turn out to have a crucial flaw: They aren’t safe to fly on hot days, according to an internal report obtained by The Associated Press.
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While the Army scrambles to fix the problem — adding millions to the taxpayer cost — at least one high-ranking lawmaker is calling for the whole deal to be scrapped.

During flight tests in Southern California in mild, 80-degree weather, cockpit temperatures in the UH-72A Lakota soared above 104, the point at which the Army says the communication, navigation and flight control systems can overheat and shut down.

No cockpit equipment failed during the nearly 23 hours of testing, according to the Pentagon report, prepared in July. But the report concluded that the aircraft “is not effective for use in hot environments.”

The Army told the AP that to fix the cockpit overheating problem, it will take the highly unusual step of adding air conditioners to many of the 322 helicopters ordered.

Basically it will be an PakFA-MKI for India. Which is why IAF is dead set against it. They want the govt to reduce funding to $ 2bil or pull out and fund LCA/MCA.

The C-17 os only economical if you have to fly heavy loads every time. But if your avg load is 20-30 tonne then C-17 is not economical in any way.

Why would brazil be stupid enough to buy chinese aircraft? The budget for the purchase is decent enough to acquire a good proven fighter. If 2.2 billion is the budget then it works out to $ 61 mil per plane with all spare and support. This would rule out new F-15 or F-18 or Rafale or typhoon. The only Viable option in that case would be Su-35, Gripen and F-16 blk 50.If second hand ones are considered then probably F-18 and F-15 can also be considered.

What you don’t seem to get is how many times will the 77 ton capacity be used in a year? Does that justify buying these costly planes with costly maintenance expenditures? Or is it more economical to just rent An-124/ Il-76? How many tactical lifts do european airforces make and with what load?

Really?? Brazil with all its hand me down dozen mirages will out fly, out sortie and shoot down flankers? What do you think the flankers are F-15’s that blow themselves up?:rolleyes:

Becouse the C-17 is a true strategic air lifter which to be perfectly frank is what most European countries are actually looking for.

Yes a few are looking for it but fewer seem to be able to afford it. It frankly not in the same league as A-400M is it? They are not renting Il-76 for nothing.