The Russian transport plane procurement is frustrating to watch. People keep making promises for years and years but nothing comes of it even if there is real gain to be made from these projects.

For instance when will the An-124 production finally be resumed? What about the IL-7MF/416? Various Russian officials have been promising resumption of production for close to a decade now. There’s definitely a market for it in Russia and abroad(I’m fairly sure a good part of the Indian Air Force’s decision to buy C-17s came from the lack of Russian heavy-lift aircraft in production) but nothing happens.

You know, if the Silent Eagle program turns out to be a success I can see the Europeans trying something similar by developing CFT-equipped versions of the Typhoon, Rafale and Gripen. That would end their problem of not having a stealthy F-35 competitor without the expense of developing a new fighter.

VIP jets are important as well. At times of war they can protect the decision makers by keeping them away from harms way, the Air India One is now a lot like Air Force One.

Past wars have shown time and again that calling our civilian leaders ‘decision-makers’ is a misonomer. And it’s not like they have a shortage of free rides on Air India’s fleet if they want any. Nor will their lives be endangered in times of peace without air-conditioned Embraers.

As for re-engining the MIGs read the next article about sukhoi induction where they say the MiGs will be retired soon. It really do not make any sense to re-engine these old planes. Being single engined they will always have higher attrition rates.

The media can say what they want but it’s clear the MiGs will still serve for another decade at least. If you keep blocking your eyes and ears to this each time I say it there’s no point trying to broaden your opinion any more.

Indian Air Force to Modernise AN-32 Aircraft Fleet

Source

And 15 to 40 years!? There must be a typo there.

’19 crashes involving MiG 21 fighter jets in last five years’

Source

Still looking for reasons to maybe consider re-engining those MiGs? Or would you root for more fast-track VIP jets instead?

Tell me why do you think Sukhoi need to change the Pak-Fa wing design twards the F-22A wing design in the first place?

Thanks

Because that’s what the intended design seems to be?

And dare i ask where elsewhere they’ll look?
Not the F-35A..:confused::D

Thanks

While it would mean jumping through a lot of political hoops the F-35 is indeed a viable option, and in fact the Navy is already interested in it.

Besides that I’ll admit there aren’t any concrete options, but there are a number of friendly nations with advanced aerospace programmes that are studying 5th gen fighter concepts, with funding being the main impediment. If India pooled its resources with one of these the PAK-FA could have a real rival!

I don’t understand..
Whats wrong with the T-50 wing design:confused:

It look like Sukhoi have naild a pretty impressive wing design in any favor.
That beeing Supercruise, manuvrebility, high lift and RCS.

History with Sukhoi shows us that the Wing design is very crucial(Su-27), why should this time(Pak-Fa) be any different..

Thanks

The CGIs and conceptual designs of the PAK-FA showed wings shaped vaguely like an equilateral triangle. The T-50 prototype has more conventional wings. I’ve read that Russian fighter programmes are such that the prototypes resemble the final intended version more and more as time passes, so my guess that the final PAK-FA would look quite different from the T-50.

Now that the classified details have been leaked(which neta did it and with what motive, I wonder), I wouldn’t be surprised if the losing contestants start crying foul about IAF dismissing them on flimsy/unfair grounds irespective of performance. Soon to be followed by anonymous allegations of kickbacks, cancellation and re-tender. Fightergate, here we come!:(

One PAK-FA spinoff that I see having a lot of potential for backfitting on to Flankers is the RAM blocker for the square air intakes. Being a major source of RCS I wouldn’t be surprised if Sukhoi starts marketing them for Su-27s and 30s in a few years.