Do you really want to keep and refurbish those old workhorses? exept SU-27 all other are not cheap or worthwhile to upgrade. And russia is probably not the most popular neighbour these days ither.

Given the current economic reality is the only feasible option. Do you propose to retire all Fulcrums? I think their lifetimes may be extended by another decade as i.e. the Slovakian ones.

Also, I don’t know how popular is Russia there but I know the oranges and their agenda are very unpopular.

Latest news

Russia successfully test-launched a Sineva intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine in the Barents Sea on Thursday, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.

He said the missile was launched at 7:50 a.m. Moscow time (04:50 GMT) from the Tula (Delta IV-class) submarine.

The RSM-54 Sineva (NATO designation SS-N-23 Skiff) is a liquid-propellant submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) designed for Delta IV-class submarines that can carry up to 16 missiles each.

The Sineva, which is already in service, is seen as a rival to the troubled Bulava, which has been specifically designed for the new Borey-class submarines but whose future development has been called into question by some lawmakers and defense industry officials over a string of failed tests.

However, the Russian military has insisted that there is no alternative to the Bulava and pledged to continue testing the missile until it is ready to be put into service with the Navy.

The Bulava has officially suffered seven failures in 12 tests. Some analysts suggest that in reality the number of failures was considerably larger, with Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer contending that of the Bulava’s 12 test launches, only one was entirely successful.

MOSCOW, March 4 (RIA Novosti)

well, their election mess isn’t over yet.. and wouldn’t the winner determine the orientation the country will go towards, and thus aybe affecting who they want to work with on their modernizations?

Mmmmm, I don’t think so. Yanukovich was sworn president a week ago and Ms Julia coalition just collapsed yesterday. Political infighting may go for weeks and even a few months but it is a reality, the Orange agenda is dead. Time to rebuild the country.

End of off-topic
——————–

Current Air Force

The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates that Ukraine’s Air Force includes three Sukhoi Su-24 regiments, 7 regiments with Mikoyan MiG-29s and Sukhoi Su-27, two regiments with Sukhoi Su-25, two regiments with 29 Su-24MR, three transport regiments, some support helicopter squadrons, one helicopter training regiment, and five air training regiments with 120 L-39 Albatros. They are grouped into the 5th and 14th Aviation Corps, the 35th Aviation Group, which is a multi-role rapid reaction formation, and a training aviation command. The IISS assesses the overall force size as 817 aircraft of all types and 49,100 personnel. Russian sources disagree and list three aviation groups (West, South, and Center). Unfortunately some of the aircraft are now aging, most remember the late 1980s, and the airforces offensive/defensive potential is slowly decreasing.

Developments and reforms

In 2006, a large number of aging weapons and equipment were decommissioned from combat service by the Air Force. This presented an opportunity to use the released funds to the modernization of various items of aviation and anti-aircraft artillery weapons and equipment, radio communication equipment, and flight maintenance equipment, as well as an improvement of Air Force personnel training.

The automated systems of collection, processing and transmission of radio information have been adopted as a component part of the Automated Command and Control System for aviation and air defense. Operational service testing of the circular surveillance radar station has also been completed. Prototypes of high-precision weapons systems, electronic warfare devices, and navigation equipment have been created and developed for state testing.

The AN-24 and AN-26 aircraft, as well as the anti-aircraft artillery systems S-300 and “Buk M1”, have been continually modernized, and their service life has been extended. An organizational basis and technological means for modernizing MiG-29, Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, L-39 has been produced. Given sufficient funding from the Verkhovna Rada, the Defense Industrial Complex of Ukraine, in cooperation with foreign companies and manufacturers, is capable of fully renewing the aircraft arsenal of the Ukrainian armed forces.

The structural reorganization of the Air Force had set as goals for itself the sufficiently reducing the total number of command and control levels, and increasing the efficiency of command and control processes. The reorganization of command and control elements of the air force is still underway. The first step of this organization was to transition from the existing air commands to the Command and Control (C2) and warning center systems.

This will not only help eliminate duplications at the command and control levels, but will also contribute to an increased centralization of the command and control system, the multi-functionality of the command and control elements, and effectiveness of response to the change of air conditions. 2006 saw the definition of the functions and tasks, organization and work of the C2 and Warning Center as well as the mechanism of interaction with the establishment of the Air Operations Center and Joint Operational Command. During the command and staff exercise one of the Air Force Commands has in effect performed control of “C2 and Warning Center – formation (unit)” level.

Future Plans
In 2005, the UAF was planning to restructure in an effort to improve efficiency. Moreover, Ukraine is planning to put more advanced jet aircraft into service in upcoming years. Even upgraded aircraft will be able to fly no longer than up to the year 2015. This means that from approximately 2012, Ukraine will have to either take bold steps to create a new combat aircraft or purchase a large number of existing combat aircraft.

The program has full support from the Putin and the top Russian goverment officials. As I remember he (Mr. Putin) said if whatever happens we must supply the money for this project . This is not just an aircraft for Russia they look it such an opportunity to create the latest technologies in Russia after the collapse of Soviet union. And they call this program vital for the future of the Russian aircraft industry. So I don’t think its future will be similar with the S-37 or Mig-1.42. And all engine,weapons and radar manufacturers says that they have latest technologies to create the most modern components for T-50 but there is sure necessary money and time. I think the important thing here is to know how to create it not money. Because its soluble. Since 2002 the goverment supplied the necessary money for this project and Im sure they will going to supply more after the first flight. They says everything is going according the schedule

Agreed. 100%.

Weellll . . . I believe the UK stance is in favour of the self-determination of the populations of the territories concerned, before ethnic cleansing was carried out. i.e. self-determination on a territorial rather than ethnic basis. This is consistent.

Self-determination on different basis? This sound unconsistent to me. By the way Argentines can claim also “ethnic cleansing carried out in 1833”. If you defend a principle you must do it in a consistent way. No by changing “basis”

I note that Russia, however, is in favour of self-determination on an ethnic basis in Abkhazia & S. Ossetia, & violently opposed to self-determination in Chechnya – or, indeed, any other territory inside Russias borders.

A referendum was carried out in Chechnya. I know that results were not accepted by the West, but … who cares? Chechnya is inside Russia, like it or not.

I suggest that you refrain from looking for motes in others’ eyes until you have removed that beam from yours.

Oh, man don’t get upset. I didn’t want to offend you. No power is sins-free. No the U.K, nor Russia, nor China, … even Argentina. I.e. There are aboriginals there?

They aren’t all so called ‘Westerners’. I’ve met a few Russians who are/were sceptical of the PAK FA project:
Strictly speaking, Russia has still to fully develop either a 5th generation fighter or a AESA radar, still early days yet.

I agree here with your more accurate description of the reality. Russia has still to fully develop either a 5th generation fighter or AESA radar, still early days yet. They are certainly doing it. Contrast this with bizarre assertions of Ariel Cohen, Pavel Felgenhauer and some other neoconservative folks. Check i.e. this Mr Pavel assertion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Felgenhauer

Felgenhauer initially described the 2008 South Ossetia War as a Russian logistical nightmare, and claimed that Russia would face a prolonged war against a highly capable Georgian army, stalling it at the border in a position that would become untenable in winter. [4] After the Russian Army routed the Georgian Army in 9 days, Felgenhauer claimed that Russia’s invasion was pre-planned. [5] According to Felgenhauer, “Moscow prepared a full-scale military invasion to oust Saakashvili”.[6] However, Moscow did not launch an infantry assault of Tbilisi, which was the only way to oust Saakashvili, despite having the capability to do so due to the Georgian Army being demoralized. [7]

:D:diablo::o

Certainly Jamestown Foundation and similars have been consistent on always being wrong with predictions about Russia. They are getting more rabid day by day. This imply that, in spite of its prediction=whishes, Russia is progressing.