Why do people believe that the M2k upgrade speaks against the Rafale? Shouldn’t it be the other way round? Buying possibly some Rafale technology for the upgrade (MDPU, LINS etc.) as well as weapons compatible with both aircraft it is in fact a strong argument for the Rafale and not against it. Though the policy of diversity is certainly in favour of the Typhoon, but does the Indians want a diversity at such scale?

Funny that they come up with this 2.5 month after the exercise actually started. It’s the TLP from where the shots with the red star kill marks came.

uss novice@
I’m not sure, i believe the Chinese123 AL-31FN and Indias AL-31FP engine are produce in SALUT..
All the newer engine target on the Su-35S and Pak-Fa are from NPO SATURN.

Something from Wiki:

Variants SummaryName Description Builder Year Thrust Thrust vectoring Aircraft Status:

Al-31F The basic engine developed to power the Su-27 fighter Salyut, UMPO 1981 123 kN (27,700 lbf) No Su-27, Shenyang J-11, Sukhoi Su-30MKK, Sukhoi Su-30(Salyut) In service/production.

Al-31FP Improved variant for the Indian Su-30MKI with thrust vectoring Salyut, HAL 2000 123 kN (27,700 lbf) Yes Su-30 MKI, Sukhoi Su-30MKM In service/production.

Al-31FN Improved variant for the Chengdu J-10 Salyut 2002 125 kN (28,100 lbf) No Chengdu J-10 In service/production.

Al-31FM1 Improved version for the Russian Air Force Salyut 2007 132 kN (29,700 lbf) Yes Su-27SM, Su-30, Su-34 In service/production.

Al-41F-1S (117S) Advanced derivative for the Su-35 UMPO 2010 142 kN (31,900 lbf) Yes Su-35 In service/early production.

Al-41F-1 (117) Advanced derivative for the Sukhoi PAK FA UMPO 2010 147 kN (33,000 lbf) Yes PAK FA prototype In service/early production.

I’m pretty sure that the AL-31FP is from Saturn! Only the AL-31F-M is from Salyut and the company built some of the original AL-31F. Btw the AL-31F existed in different versions as well. The AL-31F1 was used by all Flankers built in the 80s. The F3 version with 3 times the life span and MTBO was introduced in 1989 and was powering all subsequent Flankers. The F4 is the newest version and is used on the Su-30MKV and possibly other newer Flankers which aren’t equiped with other engine like the AL-31FP (Su-30MKI/MKM/MKA), AL-31F-M1 for the new Su-34/Su-27SM/Su-33SM and AL-41F1S for the Su-35S. Would be interesting to know whether the Russian Su-30M2 use the AL-31F-M1 as well or not.

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

@Sens
The MiG-29 has a hydro-mechanical FCS, whereas the Su-27 has an analogue FBW system active in the pitch axis only, the rest is mechanical As well. The MiG-29 is stable, whereas the Su-27 has relaxed or neutral stability.

I’m not reall convinced that the F-4Fs would last long at all. The Luftwaffe planned to retire them entirely in 2012, but has delayed the retirement as the Eurofighter takes longer. The future of the JG 71 “R” is currently uncertain however.
Anyway these Phantoms are already ~40 years old and have long exceeded their 4000 h design life time.
Another question is how long would it take the Croatian to adopt a twin-seat fighter? This would imply twice the personal to crew the aircraft alone and the operating costs are probably a fair deal higher than that of the MiG-21. I think the aforementioned lease of some Gripens could be doable, but it may cost more at the beginning, especially when those JAS 39A in storage must first be upgraded to NATO compliant standards and they would certainly not be given away for free. A leasing option as in the CR could be an option. And isn’t the RNLAF retiring even more F-16MLUs right now?

I think he means that if India may develop a new aircraft, possibly in cooperation, based on the experience gained it could be a manned or unmanned system. I don’t read it as an “unmanned Eurofighter” statement.