Well, the laws of physics cannot be repeal. Anything that travels at supersonic speeds will cause the skin of the vehicle to heat up excluding the engine signature. 20 years ago, electronics might not have been advanced and sensitive enough to detect at long ranges, but now, this method is the most common technique employed to detect and intercept very fast ashms.

The only big advantage for missiles like the Yahkont/Brahmos/chinese SSM is that the margin for errors on the part of the defending vessel is now very thin due to the speed which the distance is closed.

I agree, in land attack it does not matter much, partly because IR sensors would have difficulty to discriminate over land as compared to a open ocean.

Ah Steve, so you know how to access TASS photo archive too? 🙂

The photos are taken by TASS photographers at the launch at much higher resolution. Seems to have been reduced somewhat.

the Otomat missile launchers (8) were added in 1992 and is now a light

I thought they were Exocets? Only the Grau was upgraded with the SSM. That is why i tot the Aguire is prime candidate for decom. They are the last of the active war cruisers. 🙂

I posted in my poll on the two aircraft…anyway…
Why would you think the FC-1 was more advance?
Who would win and why?!

Coolness is not sufficient a factor. We simply do not know enough about the avionics of this plane to make a comparision.

But we do know enough about the FC-1 say at this point (pending more information on the Iranian plane), the FC-1 still has the upper hand on the avionics. We do know the FC-1 has a duplex fly-by-wire system, probably comes with Grifro PD radar and has and will be delievered with a BVR missile.

Izar is not the only one on the table. Armaris is also in the running with a modified Mistral design.

China isn’t pushing to sell the J-10. In fact, the J-10 hasn’t even been made public officially, never mind being touted for export. The PAF had mentioned the J-10 as possibility if they couldn’t get a western fighter. If they do get a western fighter, the need for the J-10 wouldn’t be as great.

I do think J10 for export is fairly credible. It has been touted for export, quietly by China. There were reports a few years back of the J10 specs being previewed to the top brass of the Royal Thai Air Force which was acknowledged by them. Wouldnt be surprised if a pre-product launch presentation was done to identified potential customers.

Still, PLAAF will be the first launch customer. But the moment the J10 is officially unveiled, it will definately be ready for export. It would the same as the JH-7. Years of complete secrecy, grainy photos, the moment it was unveiled at Zhuhai, it was also given its export designation and offered immediately for sale. I wouldnt bet against the same thing happening at this coming Zhuhai. 🙂 China has never unveiled any domestic hardware at a international arms show if it wasnt ready for export orders or production.