@ Trident, regarding the legacy HUD, the cockpit upgrade will most likely be integrated first on a developmental prototype like this company Su-30MKI belonging to Irkut, as happened with Thales MFDs a decade ago:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia—Air/Sukhoi-Su-30MKI/0906758/L/&sid=070c97ff89a25c49e9544e54d322f681

SM3 cockpit is similar to SM2, with slightly larger push button LCDs.

Hmm, my guess – latest Super 30 MKI layout, the HUD might change in time.

Yep, I think this is an Irkut company Su-30MKI cockpit installation tester for the ‘Super 30’ upgrade, with large touch screen LCDs (you can see the function icons in horizontal rows).
Remember, IN MiG-29K cockpits are also black.

Surprise everybody!!! [applause]

This Hind is from Sierra Leone, not Nigeria.

The British Army’s IMATT (SL) base is located next to Nairobi’s International Airport. Why wouldn’t he fly out of there, instead of getting the VIP treatment with a ‘Hind’…..to a ship?

Mysura Reddy’s letter to AK Anthony questioning Rafale’s L1 selection process is just political hokum endemic in the malaise that currently bedraggles India’s coalition government. The 30 day ‘enquiry’ will just be protocol and will not result in any jaw dropping revelations (as neither technical evaluation data nor L1 calculations will be made available for public release), besides, Reddy’s comments on Rafale in Libya and reporting in the notoriously sensationalist tabloid that is the ‘Deccan Chronicle’ – hardly lend weight to the charge.

As Common Sense has already stated, a probe would mean the immediate suspension of contractual negotiations- which has not happened. Note, it could be EADS’ mischief making (their last throw of the dice) as it seems the door is firmly closed to a counter-bid.

More on offsets:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/features/rafale-revolutionindian-airspace_674647.html

Vnomad,how exactly will EF’s MLU prove cheaper when even partner nations decline to commit to it? Winning MMRCA was crucial for Rafale’s MLU…but was absolutely critical for EF’s.

I’d like to know Ajai Shukla’s views on the signing of that Indo-French de-facto M-88X joint development and manufacture, due in summer. An engine which will be destined for not only IAF Rafales but also AMCA (i.e. a major headache for the Indians- solved).

If this sale goes through (and I highly doubt it), it is not only IPR guarantees the Russkies will seek, but also basing locations. The RuAF itself wouldn’t want to go head-to-head with Su-35S anytime in the future, they may even stipulate certain distances from the Indian border too (no deployments in the ‘Tibetan Autonomous Region’).

Who knows, as alluded to by USS, maybe it’s all just geo-political & commercial posturing by RosoboronExport. It is the Indian Defence market that is and will be the World’s most lucrative for years to come- maybe it’s just a way of signalling to India ‘we could have sold them- but we didn’t ’cause you’re our best friends and don’t you forget it’.

Note the usually hysterical Indian press has been remarkably cool about these rumours and also the ‘Super 30’ upgrade has been stated as a “deep upgrade” by Pogosyan himself with capabilities similar to, or exceeding those of, the Su-35S. Russo-Indian weapons program co-operation far exceeds anything a one-off sale to the PRC would encapsulate. Remember, KnAAPO is way behind their rival Irkut in commercially successful military sales, they know a Chinese order would be lucrative (reportedly $85m apiece), and drive down unit cost for a potential follow-on RuAF order. The Su-35S is in danger of becoming the ‘Russian Rafale’ (pre-Indian order of course!:D).

Besides New Delhi would be far more concerned about S-400 sales.

Wg Cdr. Jackonicko impounds 2 Rafales for alleged illegal ‘dumping’ (whilst categorically denying any link between ‘aid’ and cricket):

I think the Russian angle is that Irkut considers the ‘warranty’ null and void if the Indians continue to park their aircraft outdoors in weather conditions ranging from blistering heat to monsoon to sub-zero over a matter of a few months.

If the Algerians can build brand-new HASs (on a brand new base @ Ain Beida) for their Su-30MKAs- I’m sure the Indians can do much better!

http://defense-update.com/photos/algerian_su30_ain_beida.html

It would beggar belief to see upcoming Super-30s, Rafales and FGFAs parked outside for extended periods.

The FBW glitch is strange…as it only appears to have effected the MkIII models.