Originally posted by troung
At this rate it could be better for us to focus on getting more Flankers into service and not worry about some sort of high low concept. We are getting Flankers for about 30 million a piece now and some light fighters would run about the same but lack the range/payload of the Flankers. The Su-30MK could no doubt do anti shipping work and could be covered with Su-27SKs on CAP and escort.
I would like to see money spent on more Flankers (more then just the planned 36) and maybe an upgrade on the Su-22Ms as those also have a decent enough range and payload. Screw wasting money on the MiG-29, FC-1 or LCA, which would take resources away from the more useful and similarly priced Flankers.
But i’m sure you know that in general.. light fighters cost much less to operate and maintain. That’s why countries put up with the high prices of the Gripen, M2K and F-16. It also seems that the “old school” light fighters, the F-5 and J-7/MiG-21 are still flying in air forces while their middle weight and heavy weight fighters have been retired..
For those reasons, a light fighter also allows a pilot to maintain his skills and/or get more flying hours as it’s cheaper to operate than a heavy fighter.
In Vietnam’s case..I can imagine the Flankers being used for patrols with the Spratley islands, while the lighter fighters are used for point-defence, probably around the border areas and key resource areas.
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