The fact that Russia offered India the option to collaborate in the development of the 2nd engine and the IAF now wants the same (at least procurement) shows IMO that in this case at least, the powers that be in Russia have decided to give the Indian side the best engine, as versus trying to fob off the previous version.
Engines are notoriously hard to develop, integrate and then validate, so its unlikely that there were will be a Russia variant and an India variant, but a common one for ease of production, and maintenance.
Coming to avionics, the training mode stuff also shows both countries have worked out means and methods to have each AF do its bit without compromising any IP of either side.
Now there will be differences over time, but I think mostly in weapons integrated from the Indian side (eg Astra, Israeli/Indian PGMs) and some additional pods etc (Indian EW kit etc).
Otherwise, in performance terms, I do think both countries will share whatever they have. Otherwise the entire coproduction thing breaks down, because per current agreement, what India makes (Eg structures, avionics subsystems) will go on all aircraft.
Could Russia if it so chose have a new engine and avionics suite developed which is PAK-FA+, possibly. But why spend so much and for what and where will it come from (other programs will suffer). The key reason India was granted access to this project was because the Su-30 MKI and Brahmos ones went so well, with IP respected and successful programs delivered. And a key Indian contribution is money. Which frees up Russian money for its other programs, Su-35, Su-34, MiG-31 MOD, buying helicopters not to mention the huge amounts required for strategic deterrence. Keeping that in mind, JVs with a partner which does not rip Russia off, respects its IP when given tOT, offers a large market, is a decent way for program success (aligned objectives).
But in contrast to the MKI, I do think export variants may be a bit downgraded eg for other countries. Reason being in MKI, India was an investor and limited partner. In this, its a dedicated co-developer, so India too will have some issues about sharing IP with certain countries which may exercise with or have ties with certain other AF. Plus, this aircraft is no Su-30 MK2 but incorporates the best of Russias technologies for the next two-three decades to build on. I would wager they will see whom to give what to, and what ties those nations have with other OEMs, political alliances etc and evaluate a level of tech capable of transfer. IMO, I dont see a PAKFA MK-X being as effective as the ones India and Russia will operate.
How do you know them? Any sources or like that? Are you believe that all technologies will be shared? Or which engine will Indian FGFA use, 2nd stage engine, izd.117 or export version”117S”?
I don’t think its gonna be an exception from the F-35 program. How much technologies does USA share with its partners?
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