imo considering the euros will get their chance in JSF feeding trough after usaf and usn have satiated their huge appetities …something like 2020 perhaps…its better they invest in Neuron UCAVs packs of them controlled from 2 seater rafale/ef/gripen and functioning as unmanned radar sentry’s and AAM shooters.

15 yrs should be enough time to get this right. most of the subsystems to fit inside the airframe already exist in the pool of EU cos RR, dassault, snecma, thales, sagem, sextant, Bae, saab, mtu, eads, alenia….

the days of free meals and security underwritten by Unkil are over. power needs investment, EU needs to invest internally rather than pan-handle outside Unkils saloon.

looks like used seakings are also on menu. how do the USN seakings differ from the RN version ? I guess it doesnt matter since the trenton needs a large utility helo only.

http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/tester/11_09/national_news/39959-1.html

March 02, 2006

Indian military attaché scouts Navy aircraft for purchase

Photos by Bryan Jaffe

The Indian military officials and Capt. Mark Stone board the H-3. During the flight, both Murugesan and Jolly were given the opportunity to take the controls of the aircraft to get first-hand knowledge of its capabilities.

Two high ranking members of the Indian military came here Feb. 22, for briefings on the capabilities of the H-3 Sea King for possible purchase from the U.S. Navy.

Air Commodore Rakesh K. Jolly, Air Attaché and Commodore Parasurama Muragesan, Naval Attaché, were shown the Sea King capabilities during a briefing, followed by a hands-on flight demonstration with Capt. Mark Stone, program manager of the Commercial Derivative and Support Aircraft Program Office, PMA-207.

The Sea Kings would be used to outfit the USS Trenton (LPD 14), a decommissioned amphibious transport dock the Indian military is planning to purchase from the U.S. Navy within the next 12 months. The plan is for the Indian military to acquire six H-3 aircraft for the ship.

The H-3 Sea King is a twin engine helicopter designed to fly in all weather conditions. There are several variants, including the SH-3H, used by the Navy Reserves for detection, tracking, classification and destruction of enemy submarines.

The Sea King was commissioned more than four decades ago, and has been replaced by the SH-60F Sea Hawk as the primary anti-submarine helicopter.

In addition to scouting the H-3 Sea Kings, the Indian dignitaries showed interest in MH-60R Sea Hawks, F/A-18 Super Hornets and P-3 Orions.

Sameer, except brahmos russia has also happily sold the same stuff to PRC, so the French are certainly not unique. people will get away with whatever they can get away with – if the situation is such that both sides have to buy.

methinks of mixed buy of F16mki and Mig35 is eventual choice. Mig35 with the El2052 ofcourse and python6.

thats also a very possible outcome.

CNN has no clue what they are talking about. the F16 and F18 offers have been on table for sometime now. whats unclear – is APG79 on the table after export clearance ? the upcoming RFP will specify a AESA radar from the start as a essential req. there is Air Intl article with more details . Elta might team with mikoyan to offer el2052 on mig35.

dont worry, the last of this noble breed is still living in indian hands and will soldier on atleast until 2010.

I believe the chase ac is never M2K, more like jaguar or Mig21.