Add Northrop Grumman into that mix because they own the Precision Guided Munition Planning System that allows SLAM-ER, and other :diablo: evil American PGMs, to be used in its fullest capability.

But the bottom line is the US Department of State, an appendage of the Obama administration, has the final say in the matter. Give Obama enough under-the-table campaign contributions, and he will make it happen. (That process worked when the PLA wanted ballistic missile technology from Clinton).

I think the US will sign off SLAM-ER integration on the Rafale, I don’t think they regard the fighter as much of a sales threat so there isn’t much harm to be had and it might even open up export potential for the US.

well, let’s see what’s been said:

besides exercises (meaning, nobody was “acting red or blue”, but only “us against them”), there were several confrontations, Rafale vs Typonn in degraded mode (MICA range artifically reduced) and WVR confrontations Rafale vs F-22.

so, in clear terms: head on confrontation, and let the best win (the day’s best at least, not that one result gives a definitive and undisputable rating).

that “I want to see the context” start to look like if you watched the wimbledon final, Rafael Nadal wins against Federer, and when you tell your buddy (Federer fan), he answers:

“gee, I don’t know, I want to see the context before considering that a victory”

what context? it was in daylight… on grass… plenty of people around the court watching the game… simple tennis game…

Yes context is important, nobody has stated if Eurofighter took the gloves off properly in the exercise, I seriously doubt it.

ok Fedaykin, i’ll take the bait, show the links to where they say they are 5th gen

I’m not Google!

Anyway Typhoon for example was listed as 5th generation on the RAF’s own website…but as I regard the whole GENERATION concept as invalid why bother wasting my time giving you links to something I don’t believe in?

Yeah I’m pretty sure they’ve never considered jammers or detection equipment. What’s that stealth stuff for anyway?

Well I more then certain they do think about it BUT I feel European technology is far better then they give credit and I think the US will be surprised about how good it really is.

Notice I said PROPER use of jamming and detection equipment rather then the watered down nature of exercises.

Not glib comments
Simply strange facts, only
and the older type 051 Luda (clearly TOTALLY obsolete since more than nearly two decade ! although modernised), the Chinese are gradually replacing them by 054 ?

Fair play on that.

Indeed it is strange but the rate of PLA modernisation is amazing! The 051 Luda will be gone in a year or so as well, as I said they are smaller and easier to maintain due to the entirely local content. The PLAN have been using them close into the coast anyway rather then in true bluewater ops.

You never know maybe the 052 are going through a modernisation but I doubt it, the Harbin especially with her American engines must be a pain to look after. Her systems are a mess of different technologies and the PLAN clearly love the 054A which they are pressing into anti air as well asw taskings. The CODAD propulsion makes it nice and cheap as well, just look how many they have produced so far and they don’t seem to want to stop on that.

Latest “gutted” photos of the Type 052 Luhu class DDG 112 Harbin.

Funnel removed, Towed Array shielded, Electronics gone. Clearly, it is more than a standard mid-life refit.

Full Story

Looks like she is being scrapped or being prepared to be sunk in an exercise.

The 052 Luhu class are an odd element of the PLAN fleet, in the early 90’s arguably the best locally built ships they had but they must be an utter logistics nightmare now!

They are fitted with a mix of French, Italian, American and Chinese systems with little to no chance of getting spare parts for much of the equipment. The fitted systems are also pretty much obsolete and now the 054A are flying out of the shipyards along with the 052C, 051C and 052B (I believe the PLAN regards this class as a bit of a failure) they have many more ships with better more reliable systems.

The cost of overhauling and replacing the systems of the 052 Luhu in comparsion with just building another 054A has probably sealed the classes fate. Maybe I’m wrong but its the end of the line for this class!

Egypt to manufacture first fighter, drone plane: MENA

Egypt is set to produce its first fighter and drone “in cooperation with a foreign side”, official MENA news agency reported on Saturday.

“Talks and negotiations are underway about a project to produce Egypt’s first fighter and drone plane,” MENA quoted Lt. General Hamdy Waheba, Chairman of Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), Egypt’s state-owned company specialized in producing civilian goods as well as military products.

The official did not name the foreign party which will take a hand at the process.
Full Story

My hunch would be China for the fighter, its a logical next step on from the local K8 production.

So..what do you think our friend Mr.Kopp will say?

“Arrrghhhh!!! Super Hornet not good enough….must buy F22…!”

Something like that I think:rolleyes: