I think the zero chance of PAF of purchasing Mig-35 is more with price and maintenance issue rather than politics.. Remember PAK has mention it wants to up the number of JF-17 from 150 planes to 250 planes. JF-17 is price as below 15 million US dollar. Mig-35 will cost around 25 Million to 30 Million each plus u need to buy additonal engines as spare as it is a twin enignes plane.
I am wondering where PAK going to come out the fund to get 250 Mig-35 plus additional spare enignes compare to JF-17? JF-17 even has the manufacturing line in Pakistan giving it the know how and can help regenerate the local econ and if it really achieve export from other countries. Pakistan could earn addtional income and reduce domestic fleet price!

JF-17 is the best deal Pakistan can ever have……;)

I would certainly agree the JF-17 is a very good choice for the PAF but on the issue of purchasing a Russian fighter type then I have to disagree.

The purchase of any fighter type for any airforce is greatly influenced by politics. On a cost basis I don’t think MIG 35 isn’t out of the reach of Pakistans defence budget and the PAF has proven that in can adapt to maintaining a very diverse fleet but Russia has to be mindful of its far larger customer India when it comes to exporting the type. Pakistan is certainly not going to mess arround trying to persuade Russia to sell it to them.

Now that China is starting to produce types that are credible in the modern combat arena I think Pakistan is in a very good position to build a good detterant capability.

Frankly I wouldn’t waste any more thought on this considering it was based on another of Star49’s silly comments.

Hmmm considering the IN’s purchase of Naval Mig 29 and Tejas N I am hard pressed to see the Superbug on an Indian carrier. As for the T45C cockpit issue I threw in the Mig thing for a laugh, in reality I think the cockpit would virtually be the same as the USN version. Considering the IN are buying two seater Mig29K conversion training is not going to be a big problem.

As India is already buying Hawk and will have local production of the type I don’t think the US would restrict the export because of technology loss fears. Also I don’t think we can link any purchase of the T45C to the airforce purchase of medium fighters, the airforce has the Hawk and the Navy wants its own trainers.

Boeing is very keen to sell the T45C regardless of the Air force procurement program and if the Indian airforce doesn’t buy the F16/FA18E I can’t see that being a barrier to a Goshawk sale.

Frankly I will be very surprised in the Indian airforce does buy the F16 or FA18.

I think there are a few here on the forum who wouldn’t complain at the return of the EE Lightning to RAF service.:D

Just imagine one in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight! For that matter just imagine an airshow with a BBMF EE Lightning in formation with XH558…I can dream;)

I’m sitting in my apartment in UCD, Dublin. The Irish Air-Corp Pc9’s are flying overhead and pulling stunts etc.

My question is, are they allowed to perform stunts over cities?

If anything happened there is a lot that can go wrong. Also my head is wreaked from trying to do an essay and listening to the plane overhead.

During my old Air Cadet days the Chipmunks operated by the University Air Squadron out of Cambridge would fly over the city. I don’t remember if we did any stunts over Cambridge.

I would of thought pulling stunts over a city by the millitary in the UK is a big no no! Maybe things are a bit more relaxed in Ireland?

Thanks Ja,

That answers some of my questions, I am not entirely surprised that India wants to have all training in house. It certainly would make a purchase of
T45C Goshawk more likely.

Its a pity I can never find any close up pictures of the Russian LAKs system, I would love to compare it to the American FSOLS system.

Actually further to my earlier post I find it interesting that India is sending its future Navy pilots to America to learn the art of arrested carrier landing. Certainly not a bad idea when you consider the wealth of experiance the Americans have when it comes to carrier operations but on the other hand India is buying the Vikramaditya with Russian landing equipment. Whilst I presume the Russian LAK optical landing aid is similar in operation as the American Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (FSOLS) how much conversion training will the Indian pilots require from one system to the other?

Its amazing that the Greek navy chose the expensive RAM launcher on such a small attack craft. Most navies refuse to place the expensive RAM launcher on their capital ships. This was a great choice by the Greeks and money spent wisely IMHO.

Totally agree!

Those Super Vita are certainly potent pieces of kit that would put some capital ships to shame when it comes to their equipment fit.

I wouldn’t mind seeing some RAM mounts on the RNs new Type 45 rather then Phalanx even if there would be some performance cross over with ASTER 15.

Probably – fingers crossed for this week.

I have had everything crossed for the last few years now!