er, it is the velocity of the exhaust gases you talk about?

because if it’s about fighter velocity, it´s not related in any way: just look at a fighter on take-off… with its speed going slowly up, from about zero, and yet, with full AB (and supersonic exhaust gas flow), the nozzle(s) is (are) fully open

Velocity of exhaust gases.

De Laval nozzles.

Again big misconception on your part of Russia wanting Ukraine in EuroAsian Union.
This is actually worst than your $100b import claim for India.

Its well known that Putin wanted Ukraine in the Eurasian Economic Union. Without Ukraine, the EEU is just a slightly enlarged Russia. Very far from the envisioned counterpart/counterweight to the EU.

And again, $100B in capital expenditure is not the same thing as $100B in imports, moron.

It’s just matter of time all parties will equiped themselves with more sophisticated anti air misiles, especially the rebel. With continue airstrike being incured to them, how can anybody believe that they will not shot down all the flying objects above their heads, when they get chances to do it..

Whether the Buk missiles being obtained from Russia or confiscated from Ukraine forces, does not really mattered. It’s just matter of time when the rebels going to obtained them…considering how many that system available in Ukraine conflict area.

On the contrary, its the single most important question on issue – WHERE did the rebels get their hands on a Buk SAM system? If it was seized from Ukrainian stocks, its one thing. If on the other hand it was ‘lent’ by Russia, in effect placing a very lethal system in hands of an unorganised militia, the responsibility for the downing of the airliner will fall primarily on the Russian state.

The Ukrainians have released some camera footage of a Buk with a partial missile load supposedly being driven towards the Russian border in the aftermath of the incident, but its veracity is still unconfirmed.

more like $40b. $20b is only when off the shelf purchase excluding weopons. not transfer of tech.
slow production ramp, lack of skill labor that can maintain quality across the industrial supply chain with high inflation can compound the cost.

probably later than that. consider France has maintained budget of $40b for past 30 years. India is only reaching that point. but $40b 30 years ago is like $100b today. France is barely at 126 Rafale and only few are AESA upgraded.

Gun + TVC = AAM shootdown

Just to clarify, we are not talking about the usual software suite here, but about very specific and strategic pieces of code that may be part of the Rafale electronic warfare system. If transfering those could compromise France deterence capabilities, you can understand that it won’t happen.

Deterrence usually refers to the nuclear arsenal. How does the Rafale’s EW suite deter conflict? Also, deterrence against..?

Would you prefer :
$20 billion and use the junior software we have prepared especially for you without any possibility to upgrade it by yourself during the whole life of the jet (+ backdoors so that we can limit it futher when we want to) ?

Why should they be mutually exclusive – ‘senior’ software or options for independent upgrades?

Giving India the ability to put whatever they want in the system and providing the tools to do so is a huge advantage. My understanding is that it is exactly what India wants to do.

Ten years back, the plan was to run it on the Su-30MKI model – follow-on orders plus heavy domestication. In contrast, an order today will be capped at 126 aircraft with all the incident limitations on tech absorption.

That said, the Indian MoD has a long history of screw-ups so I wouldn’t put signing a deal under those conditions past it.

– You’ve suggested that this software isn’t part of the regular suite. Question is will the software in question significantly improve the aircraft’s air to air and/or strike capabilities? If so, then its critical for an IAF that’ll be pitting the Rafale against Chinese J-20s & J-31s, and a very modern and continuously evolving IADS. If not, no real need for reticence (save perhaps in matters relating to nuclear strike functionality).

– India is in no position to develop the software at short notice. It’ll be at least a decade before the technology is absorbed. It’ll take more time still for the actual development and also draw away precious funding from other equally important avenues.

Has this been posted? Pretty much settles the argument on barely two years back about the EF never become ‘truly multi-role’.

UK Study Contract Awarded to integrate Brimstone 2 onto Typhoon

Press Release | 3 days ago

BAE Systems has been awarded an initial study contract, valued at £5 million by the UK Ministry of Defence to evaluate the integration of the MBDA Brimstone 2 air-to-ground precision weapon with the Typhoon aircraft.

Work is currently underway at Warton, Lancashire to assess the aerodynamic properties of carrying the weapon through a series of wind tunnel tests. Alongside delivering an effective route to Brimstone 2 integration for the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) by 2018, the study is also set to deliver wider benefits through the exploration of a common launcher approach which could also be used for other multiple weapons stores such as SPEAR 3.

The Brimstone 2 weapon will add to the swing-role capability of the Typhoon aircraft. Brimstone 2 is effective against the most challenging, high speed and manoeuvring targets over land and sea. As a low collateral, close air support weapon it is already combat proven in Afghanistan and Libya by the RAF. The study contract will transition the Dual Mode Brimstone capability that is combat proven on Tornado GR4 to Typhoon utilising the Brimstone 2 missile.

Mark Bowman, Chief Test Pilot for BAE Systems explains “With a proven track record on RAF Tornados, the Brimstone 2 weapon offers uncompromising precision and a flexible capability that meets the emerging threats of modern warfare. The Typhoon pilot will be able to confidently engage a wide range of target types including fast moving vehicles. When integrated Brimstone 2 will be another significant development step for Typhoon, enhancing the aircraft’s credentials and relevancy going forward.”

Typhoon is already regarded as one of the world’s leading swing role combat aircraft and the programme continues to deliver the latest capabilities to meet the needs of a complex and ever changing environment.

Vnomad, I never said an axis or alliance of Russia, India and China- but I can certainly guarantee greater economic co-operation and trade. This will inevitably lead to some shaping of common geopolitical interests and alleviation of present tensions.

Agree… somewhat. On the other hand, China’s trade with the US, Japan and ASEAN far dwarfs that with India, and while that has made war less likely it hasn’t helped resolve any disputes either.

Do you think an extension to the Russian gas pipeline via China to India can be achieved without resolution of their current border disputes? and without a major de-escalation and thawing of relations? The french 1Bn Euro infrastructure credit line sweetener for the Rafale is derisory as many blue chip Indian companies have been securing major loans and/or debt rescheduling from Chinese banks for several years now.

The pipeline extension is still just a proposal (it’ll be a lot cheaper and faster to extend the IP pipeline from Iran). And even if it goes through, it’ll come via Myanmar, rather than building it over the (relatively inaccessible) Tibetan plateau and disputed areas.

Both Chinese and French financial assistance is far far outshadowed by the scale of Japanese assistance to India; over $40 billion in developmental loans incl $3.5 billion last year. Even more in terms of investment. Trade too received a boost with both countries just recently signing a $50 billion currency swap agreement.

Team Modi will simply take Indo-Chinese trade & economic relations to new heights. To coin Clinton’s phrase “it’s the economy, stupid!”

Agreed but why just Indo-China trade? Also, Japan, Russia, EU, US, ASEAN and perhaps most importantly SAARC. It’ll be an incentive to resolve issues and disputes but isn’t a solution in itself.