ante_climaxThe refueling probe mounted in the conformal fuel tank is very interesting, I can see other F16 users being interested in that. For example it would solve a problem for Pakistan in respect of its Block 50/52 purchase. I wonder how practical it would be to retrofit it to earlier block F16.
Provided that the Americans are willing to do it of course. :rolleyes:
ante_climaxHow? If you believe that every country with a given level of natural resources is a potential superpower, then why pick out South Africa? Why not Angola, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, or Argentina? Or Canada, or Australia? The last two are richer, militarily stronger, & have more natural resources than South Africa.
Let me explain why. Because South Africa is not the **** Angola is. It has its share of problems but it has the potential and the capability to advance. It has a very good defense industry and if the ANC leadership can lead it the right way it has more potential than any other African state.
Canada is overshadowed by the U.S and they really do not need to be a Super Power. Australia is another vassel state who is now sucking up to China as well. This would ensure her safety even when China achieves her potential.
South Africa has no challengers in her region if he decides to move forward in the right way.
ante_climaxIsn’t the F 16 equipped with this as well I think the ALE 50. ?
ante_climaxFar too few people, far too small an economy. You don’t try to play in the superpower league with 15% of the population, & 3.5% of the GDP, of the leading power. South Africa is in the same league as Argentina & Thailand.
A major regional power, but only because it’s in a region of weak, poor, states.
They have the potential to change that. The will is lacking…but you don’t know the future.
ante_climaxThat thing is cool. 😎 I just wish they’d give it a better paint job.
Yeah most Russian stuff these days is painted blue. And most planes have a teal painted cockpit.
ante_climaxAgree, thats kind of strange.. Especially since India has a well developed computing/programing industry and should be able to provide som valuable inputs in the electronic suite of the aircraft, if the Russians them self cant solve the issues the author mentions.
More than that the partnership is an acknowledged one and contracts have been signed. So its stranger than that really.
ante_climaxPossibly as long as the enemy do not operate them either. Its like manned fighters being used at will against enemies like the Taleban. As soon as u run up with enemies with comparable UCAV’s then there will be restraint. 😉
ante_climaxIndia-US ‘missile shield talks’
A ground-based interceptor is test launched in California (Image: Missile Defense Agency)
The paper said Indian officials had attended live missile testsIndia has been holding initial talks with the US over the possible purchase of a missile defence shield system, the UK’s Financial Times has reported.
The talks have been going on for some time and the paper quoted the US embassy in Delhi as saying they were on a scientific and technical level.
Such a move would be sure to infuriate nuclear-armed rival Pakistan.
US plans to set up a defence shield in Europe have caused a massive diplomatic rift with Russia.
The system in Europe, as well as one in the US, involves radar and anti-missile missiles, or interceptors, which would try to destroy incoming ballistic missiles.
Nuclear deal
The FT said Indian officials had been shown computer simulations and had attended live missile tests.
For the past many years, we have been considering the possibility of such an outcome one day
Q&A: Defence shield
Senior Pakistani officialIt quoted a US embassy official as saying: “India is a partner of ours, and we want to provide it with whatever it needs to protect itself.
“This fits into the overall strategic partnership we are building.”
The paper said no decision had been made by Delhi on the purchase of foreign systems.
It also quoted a senior Pakistani official as saying Islamabad would “have to take counter-measures to respond”.
“For the past many years, we have been considering the possibility of such an outcome one day,” the official told the FT.
The US announced in December it had successfully tested its missile defence system in Alaska.
The US says it wants to introduce the system to Europe, using Poland and the Czech Republic to counter missiles from “rogue” states like Iran.
Russia sees the system as a direct threat and has vowed to deploy missiles to “neutralise” the US shield.
India and the US have been forging closer defence and economic ties recently.
In October they signed a civilian nuclear co-operation accord to end 34 years of US sanctions.
India gains access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel in return for inspections of its civilian, but not military, nuclear facilities.
ante_climaxIndia-US ‘missile shield talks’
A ground-based interceptor is test launched in California (Image: Missile Defense Agency)
The paper said Indian officials had attended live missile testsIndia has been holding initial talks with the US over the possible purchase of a missile defence shield system, the UK’s Financial Times has reported.
The talks have been going on for some time and the paper quoted the US embassy in Delhi as saying they were on a scientific and technical level.
Such a move would be sure to infuriate nuclear-armed rival Pakistan.
US plans to set up a defence shield in Europe have caused a massive diplomatic rift with Russia.
The system in Europe, as well as one in the US, involves radar and anti-missile missiles, or interceptors, which would try to destroy incoming ballistic missiles.
Nuclear deal
The FT said Indian officials had been shown computer simulations and had attended live missile tests.
For the past many years, we have been considering the possibility of such an outcome one day
Q&A: Defence shield
Senior Pakistani officialIt quoted a US embassy official as saying: “India is a partner of ours, and we want to provide it with whatever it needs to protect itself.
“This fits into the overall strategic partnership we are building.”
The paper said no decision had been made by Delhi on the purchase of foreign systems.
It also quoted a senior Pakistani official as saying Islamabad would “have to take counter-measures to respond”.
“For the past many years, we have been considering the possibility of such an outcome one day,” the official told the FT.
The US announced in December it had successfully tested its missile defence system in Alaska.
The US says it wants to introduce the system to Europe, using Poland and the Czech Republic to counter missiles from “rogue” states like Iran.
Russia sees the system as a direct threat and has vowed to deploy missiles to “neutralise” the US shield.
India and the US have been forging closer defence and economic ties recently.
In October they signed a civilian nuclear co-operation accord to end 34 years of US sanctions.
India gains access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel in return for inspections of its civilian, but not military, nuclear facilities.
ante_climaxAnd there you go – the drawbacks of collaboration with the USA. You’re a junior partner, subject to the whim of the USA. You want the best radar for the job, for your own aircraft, which you’re building & which you’ve paid for the development of? Hard luck – you’ll fit what we like, because you had (& paid for!) US assistance to develop it.
Not all countries can be bullied to fall in line though. If all components are produced indigenously then even less so.
ante_climaxThey have everything they need to be a Super Power, South Africa. If it wasn’t for the mis-management, corruption and racial hatred they could have been a U.S.A of Africa.
There is still time though. They have abundant natural resources and a decent economy.
ante_climaxOddly no link about the participation of India. Even though papers have been signed. Interesting
ante_climaxI was reffering to a big war like. WW2. 😀
ante_climaxWell, at least Crobato & Yourfather are bringing reason to the off-topic debate.
But, please, can we return to the topic? It’s interesting, & about something of possible major future strategic importance. We’re handicapped by a lack of hard facts, so the discussion is doomed to peter out, but let’s see if we can wring out a little more from it.
The fact is that, this topic is based on mere speculation about China’s new carriers, unlike the similar projects of other countries, we have absolutely no idea about the tonnage the class or the capacity of these. So naturally this thread has gone down to speculation and ramblings.
Its hard for people to debate on a topic when there is no data on it. 🙂
ante_climaxRussians were forced to make a decision – invest the few available funds in R&D in order to stay competitive or invest them into maintaining of the current fleet. They went for the former and I guess it was a right thing to do. If they went for the later, then today Russian AF would operate hundreds of Su-27SMs and MiG-29SMTs (without any real sense since they are not in war, anyway) and that would be pretty much the best version they could offer for sale. No Su-30MKI/MKM, no PESA, no AESA, no TVC, no PAK-FA.. Do you see that as the better solution of those two?
And in case of war, like in the past wars, they will just churn out the numbers and overwhelm you. 🙂
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