^^^ Read my post again, I was not questioning the need for the UAE to upgrade its airforce, but rather the need to have 2 different high end fighters which may offer similar capabilites. Yes, I know the M2K-9s are getting on a bit, no need to keep going on about it. But given the significant costs that the UAE has invested in the Block-60 Vipers (~USD 3bn for development costs), why then consider a different contemporary fighter?

Are there really any significant capabilites that the Rafale can offer which the Block-60 Viper can not, and which are essential for the UAE?

The only real existential threat perceived by the UAE is Iran, which doesn’t really pose a credible offensive airforce to threaten the UAE. And the only other potential adversary is Israel, and I don’t really see the UAE going on the offensive against them any time soon…do you? :rolleyes:

The alternative is too much money, coupled with too little fantasy what to do with it

If “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog”
-then why is there weight class in boxing ? 😉

Boxing is a sport, with rules and regulations, ensuring one fighter doesn’t have a significant size/weight advantage over the other. It would be a pretty one sided contest between say a heavyweight and a featherweight fighter.

But in war, there are no such rules for an ‘equal’ contest 😉

And in this context, which offers the greater ‘fight’…more Block-60 F-16s or Refales?

Possibly the question of lesser reliance on a single supplier and the ability to use stand-off missiles with the French fighters.

But doesn’t the UAE already have that with the Block-60s and Mirage 2000-9s?

I’m surprised how close these guys can get to the airfield…not like the Chinese authorities to allow this sort of thing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGynR76NbSc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfAs6aWKEkg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLVDqPSSs2A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9so5Q0OSCCM&NR=1

After having recently seen the latest Transformers film, I’m half expecting this thing to morph into one kick ass mech 🙂 Would have been amazing to see it in the latest film…

I think you have a very negative and unproductive attitude and response, unworthy of this forum. It is sad that a Pakistani has to come here and display such behavior, most Pakistanis are far more gentlemanly.

I can see why criticism of your posts may seem “negative” and “unproductive”…to you. You always seem to be pre-occupied by race and nationality…why?

What makes you believe I’m Pakistani? Someone can take interest in the PAF without necessarily being a Pakistani…can they not? For example, Alan Warnes, the former editor of AFM, takes a very keen interest in the PAF, even writing a book on it…but he isn’t Pakistani. I’ve never questioned your nationality or race, I couldn’t really care less, but you seem to question others…why?

Since I’m a clod to you and you appear to be in the know about what is right and what is false, why do you not share with us your background and who you are? What have you got to show for in this field? From the kind of language you are using, you sound like a certain “Buraq” on another forum. Would you clarify if you are the same individual?

Again, pre-occupied in the background of those who question your posts? Remember, I’m not the one making highly questionable claims under the guise of “analysis”…you are. So why don’t you explain to us your sources who claim;

“production of J-10B will be prioritized for the PAF, at the expense of the PLAAF”

…maybe because you can’t? And you have simply based this on the whimsical tales of others? Why don’t you ask some of the PLAAF fans on here what they think of your ideas?

BTW, who or what is Buraq?

You seem to take a jab at me at every chance you get. There is a saying by a famous Muslim intellectual visiting the West, that he saw Islam there but no Muslims, and that in our world we have Muslims everywhere but no Islam. If you want to learn how to write a constructive criticism rather than the typical, perhaps this link will help you see what could have been written instead: http://computers.amrel.com/media-room/news-articles/ucavs-vs-5th-generation-jet-fighters

Can you please tell us what ‘Modern Military Aviation’ has anything to do with nationality, race and religion? Using your own words above, your constant reference to race, nationality and religion is;

“unworthy of this forum”.

The Western world decided a long time ago to separate state and religion…perhaps you need to do the same.

Leaving aside your paranoid pseudo-religious ideology, as the author in the link you posted above has done, can you please explain to us how Pakistan will be able to field a UCAV against 5G aircraft, like the author in the above link has asked? It’s not a personal attack on you, your religious beliefs or you race/nationality, it’s a simple question of your assertions and claims.

—-

I think that if in fact J-10Bs are prioritized for the PAF, it would be a first for a major power to do so, vis-a-vis an ally. And this extends to the Qing class and 054 FFGs. Or am I wrong? Are there any similar examples in history?

What do you mean “prioritized” exactly? do you mean simple production and delivery prioritized to a foreign customer, before other orders? A recent example may be Tranche 2 Typhoon aircraft that were originally intended for the RAF being diverted to the Royal Saudi Air force. A similar process occurred for some of the Tornado deliveries before I think.

Or do you mean “prioritized” in the sense of developing a more advanced version than the domestic/home version for an ally? I don’t think any nation would place its own national security/interests before those of any ally, no matter how close the relationship.

Really an interesting design 😮 … but could it be that this is only a mock-up ? :confused:

It appears to have the minor detail such as pitot tube (or some form of antenna) on the nose, as well as smaller air inlet ports and ‘bumps’ underneath the wing which may house moving parts inside, so could be at an advanced stage of ground testing a flying prototype?

^^ The Chinese never fail to surprise me 🙂

Quite an adventurous looking design.

I love how there’s that random hot woman with that pram just stretching…

How can you tell she’s hot? She seems quite far away in that pic 🙂

Although…Russian girls are gorgeous…so you’re probably right 🙂

Ok, sorry for getting way off the subject…back to normal.

I know this question may have been asked a million times, but what’s the typical load and range of the SU-34? And if it’s the same as a ‘typical’ strike oreintated twin seat SU-30 type, why bother with the side-by-side seating arrangment? Is it purely for crew comfort on extremely long strategic missions?