India, Russia to take up upgrading Su-30 jet with radar

When asked, HAL chairman and managing director R K Tyagi said, “Very few aircraft reported problem of mission computer failure and blanking-off HUD which was of initial batch.”

“The issue was intermittent in nature and related to old software version. The issue has been addressed by upgrading the software version by Russian side and by replacement of the mission computer and head up display wherever they have been found un-serviceable during ground checks. Till date no such incidence has been reported from any IAF base with upgraded software version,” Tyagi said.

So then where was the question of half of the fleet being grounded if it was only an issue with the initial batch of Su-30MKIs ?? I guess it was another case of pathetic news media reporting. And it’s clear that the issue has been resolved by upgrading the software version. So the fleet utilization must be back to normal.

Firstly 2014 is not over yet, secondly from 2009-2013 (years for which we have complete information for) Russia provided 75% if India’s arms imports.

So he does have a very valid point, but all you do in response to someone who disagrees with you is to accuse them of trolling, despite them being right.

There are a few big ticket items that are pending with the US as yet..the Chinook, Apache and follow-on P-8I deals and possibly additional C-17s. All told will go into several billions of $. The first three at least are for sure, its just a matter of getting the funding for these. So the US is of late the largest supplier.

AviationWeek has an article ‘Swiss reconsidering fighter plans’ that mentions that the Govt. is being forced to look at alternatives..can’t post it since I am not a subscriber..could someone post it in full?

India agrees to extend bid deadline for PC-7 MkII local production

India agrees to new PC-7 MkII bid deadline

PAF trainer jet crashes, killing 4 including both pilots

4 killed as PAF trainer jet crashes in Baldia town

What type was this?

edited later: apparently it was a Mirage trainer that was involved in the crash.

On the other hand both could be grounded with US sanctions. I think India now wait to see, what will France do with Russian Mistrals. If France will deliver those Mistrals, than it will be a partner, whom you could trust. In opposite India will go for MiG-35.

huh? When did this become an issue for India?

India already considers France to be, alongwith Russia, a dependable supplier – the French to some degree even more so, since their reputation is not harmed by any disputes of the kind that India has had with Russian suppliers. The French stood by India when it carried out its nuclear tests, which cemented in the minds of the Indians that they would not go about applying sanctions even when the US would lead the world in doing so.

the MiG-35 is not even being considered, and the Rafale deal doesn’t hinge on France supplying or not supplying the 2nd Mistral to Russia. There’s far too much invested in the MRCA contract as it is for it to depend on something that doesn’t affect India.

If we were to believe you, India would not go ahead with any deals with USA now, since they’ve applied some sanctions on Russia and are the ones pressurising France to not sell the Mistral.

FWIW, its not being claimed that MRCA commercial negotiations will be completed in 3 months time..whether the new govt. goes in for such a massive purchase so soon after taking up power is something I’m quite dubious about..

MMRCA deal: Rafale negotiations expected to be wrapped up in 3 months

Chad acquiring Ukranian MiG-29s