It makes the russian equipment reliable junk unlike the hangar queen like SH which has the maneuverability of a pregnant elephant.:D 😀 😀 .

The SH is a mediocre plane and IAF was least impressed with it. The Mig-35 is not the best option on its own but if it can be souped up like MKI with indigenous, french and israeli avionics then it easily works out to be the most economical deal. If the french have given up on MRCA, then MIG can rejoice.

Most likely the Super Hornet will win or at very least it will be a split buy with one of the other two types……………….:rolleyes:

IAF and GOI already denied a split deal. All 126 will be from one company and its name will be RAC MIG. Whorenet can go down under for all we care.

I think you just made a case for the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet!:D

LOL even if it snows in banglore in april whorenet wouldn’t stand a chance. Most likely Mig-35 or Rafale.

This should answer your queries regarding sukhoi procurement. Yes it will be MKI. Seriously can’t say anything regarding the 5th gen. The Indo-russian venture will definitely end up being a heavy AC. So India would need something light to replace all the Mig-29, 27’s, Jags and Mirages.

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb92007/national0540200729.asp

‘No change in plans to acquire 126 MRCAs’
DH News Service Bangalore:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is unlikely to revise the figure of 126 multi role combat aircraft (MRCA) which it proposes to acquire shortly as this could lead to unneccessary delays, according to Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi here on Thursday.

The procurement of 126 multi role combat aircraft would be from a single source to reduce the diversity of fighter aircraft in its fleet. The only way to reduce the diversity in the fighter aircraft fleet is to produce aircraft indigenously, he added.

While there would be global competition from from multiple vendors for the order only a single vendor would be selected for the order who would have to partner with an Indian manufacturer for licensed production, he added.

The IAF is acquiring immediately some 40 Russian Sukhoi-30 fighters on the “fast track” to fill “inevitable gaps” in its aging fleet, he confirmed. The Russian Sukhois, estimated to cost 40 Million US Dollars apiece, were expected to be in IAF service “within the next three years”, the Air Chief said.

On the possibility of procurement of second hand aircraft, he did not rule out the option and said that as an Air Chief his job was to keep his options open and consider every solution possible.

He said “We have tried to acquire second-hand Mirages from Qatar. If the deal is right, the price is right, we will look at it “. The IAF’s Russian MiG- 29 and French Mirage- 2000 fighter aircraft are due for mid life upgrades, he averred.

The IAF is planning an exercise with the French shortly this month and in July with the British Royal Air Force, he said.

40 more su-30 MKI for IAF

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/iaf-to-get-more-air-force-40-russian-jets-coming/33043-3.html

IAF to get more air force, 40 Russian jets coming
ibnlive.com
Posted Thursday , February 08, 2007 at 13:09
Updated Thursday , February 08, 2007 at 14:14
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FLYING HIGH: IAF aircraft perform at the ‘Aero India 2007’ in Bangalore. (Pic: AP)

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force is all set to acquire more wings and ground force.

Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi said on Thursday that the IAF will acquire 40 Sukhoi-30 jet aircraft, six Herculis tankers and a large number of helicopters.

Tyagi said the all the procurements will be ordered from Russia and will be finalised by March 2007. The jets will be in addition to 130 Sukhois already ordered.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister A K Anotony also announced that India will also buy 126 multi-role fighter jets worth over $5 billion.

“The procedure (for acquiring the jets) is almost in the final stages. I can assure you that a decision will be taken very quickly,” Antony said after inaugurating the sixth Aero India show in Bangalore.

Companies vying to bag the lucrative contract are France’s Dassault (Rafale), Russia’s RAC-MiG (MiG-29M2), Sweden’s Saab (JAS-39 Gripen) and Lockheed Martin (F-16) and Boeing (F-18) of the US, some of which participated in the flight displays also.

On the development of a fifth generation jet for the IAF, Antony said India would jointly produce the aircraft with Russia’s fighter plane manufacturer, Sukhoi. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and DRDO would also be involved in the process, he added.

Antony also informed that a proposal for an aerospace command has been sent by the IAF but no decision has been taken on the issue.

“It has to be a tri-service command. Discussions are going on but there are several issues. I cannot give a time limit,” Antony said.

On the light combat aircraft (LCA) project, Antony said that it has not been put on the backburner. “The LCA is very much on track. Initially there were some problems, but it is on the right track now. There is no question of abandoning it,” he informed.

The next five years of the 11th Plan period would see India procuring defence equipment worth $8 to $10 billion. “For that, procedures are already taking shape,” he said.

Earlier, inaugurating the air show, Antony said India was fully committed to maintaining peace and stability with its neighbours. “In the global context, we wish to achieve this objective through effective diplomacy backed by credible military deterrence.”

The country has initiated several confidence-building measures with its neighbours including Pakistan and China.

“But we cannot remain complacent and there is a need for eternal vigil. We have to modernise our armed forces backed by a strong deterrent to prevent a war,” Antony said.

C-5 is galaxy. C-17 is globe master.

Without going into semantics of what the word meaning is or should be. Does this sale include transfer of technology so that iran can build its own version??