Fregat radars are solid pieces of equipment. They are like the SPY series – undergoing constant upgrades for future vessels from what I understand.

Hmm… Can’t quite agree there. They’re certainly a cost-effective solution for frigate-sized vessels with medium range SAMs, but they are essentially late 80s technology and fall behind all the new Western AEGIS-type phased array radars in terms of performance: range, target tracking capability, number of targets, ECCM etc. Note that long-time foreign users like China and India are switching from Fregat to Western-style AESA systems for their future surface combatants(Type 358/Sea Lion and EL/M-2258/MF-STAR respectively).

Well, the Russians initially wanted to develop the whole fighter themselves. Serious talk about involving India only came about when the project was finalised after granting Sukhoi the contract. I doubt a penny of Indian funding would come forth without Indian industry getting it’s promised 25% share of the R & D.

India asks US to remove ISRO, DRDO from banned list

Source

I wonder how much of this is motivated by the failure of ISRO’s cryogenic engine. It’s time India set those moronic MTCR protests(who the heck uses cryogenic engines in ICBMs?) aside and purchased engine technology from Russia and the West.

It would make no sense to seek Indian funding for the project if they still had to spend their own money on every aspect. Anyway, even some of the Russian news channels are reporting that HAL will develop the Mission Computer, FBW and navigation systems.

I didn’t mention radar. Avionics include more than that, I hope you are aware.

FBW system, EW and MWS, the fancy new autopilot potentially, etc.

Aren’t all those slated to be developed by India?

Um, I was referring to the J-15.:o

Russia planned to sell the Su-33 to the PLAN, enough to equip two naval fighter regiments, but soon backed off because of the J-11B being manufactured without the benefit of a license (retrofitted with Chinese avionics).

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htnavai/articles/20100607.aspx

http://english.pravda.ru/world/asia/04-06-2010/113664-china_pirate-0

An Su-33 prototype was imported from the Ukraine to kick start the J-15 Flying Shark development, fulfilling the PLAN’s requirement for a naval air superiority fighter.

J-15 wireframe

In the first pic can anyone tell me what that lifting fuselage panel(behind the cockpit) is for?

In other words it’s already been deployed but it still isn’t performing as intended yet.