How are the older Mig-29’s in Indian Service doing??? Seem like Russia has had a fair share of problems with the Fulcrum. With much of its own fleet grounded and just recently a order returned do to quality issues………..:(

They are doing well, they had problems initially with spares, but it was resolved. They are now being upgraded 6 at a time in Russia with Russian Israeli and French systems (i thinK). New Radar, New Engies, almost everything would be new.

But MIG 35 is a last resort if ToT and End User Agreements cannot be favorably reached between India and the rest i guess.

Dassault/French also offer Aircraft without many strings attached.

I just hope Americans will play their cards accordingly.

the bottom line is. You need US approval for typhoon sales. YOU DO NOT NEED IT FOR RAFALE, iTS 100% french. Read the first link its not just that much there’s more. And no critical stuff in Rafale is American. they don’t have to go and beg Americans (can we sell our plane to this country please……..) .

It won;t be the same level of components or France would also need permission.

Britain needed U.S. permission to sell the planes to Saudi Arabia because they contain American components. Under a deal finalized in September 2007, Britain will furnish the Royal Saudi Air Force with 72 Eurofighter jets under a deal valued at about $10 billion.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3797018

That doesn’t change the fact that the MiG-29K is later than intended as was the Su-30MKI ;).

It helps that we can take the MKI to Redflag and have exercises with the Americans (with a few radar mode restrictions). Can we take the Eurofighter to Russia or China :rolleyes: on a similar exercise if its bought under MRCA. Russian planes may be a bit delayed but they come with very few strings.

The Impetus is on U.S and Europeans to provide us with good End User terms, or the loss will be theirs.

No, it isn’t a MiG-specific problem. There are plenty of development projects which are very late indeed. But . . . for a production aircraft, or a relatively minor variant, or something already developed, you don’t expect a big delay. That’s what India has with MiG-29K.

The original Hawk contract called for deliveries in late 2007, & the first deliveries direct from BAe were in November 2007 – on time, on budget. A delay was then imposed by India, after a crash, & there are delays in HAL building Hawks.

The first MiG-29K delivery from Russia is over two years late.

You think that’s the same?

Delays now are because of lack of parts coming from the U.K from BAE. Read that post in that thread.

It is the same. It happens with every country. The European companies all use American parts in their jets, so are succeptable to Sanctions just the same way. This is especially true for British companies compared to the French.

So if Americans are not preferable it makes sense to go for French or Russian Jets.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/23/us_gove_saudi_eurofighter_sale/

British are too dependent on Americans for their tech ;).

Of course they will! They would hope that if they can’t meet the development timescales, by the time it is obvious, India will be in too deep to back out – as with Gorshkov. It’s worked there, after all.

Same with production – and Indian production would be dependent on Russian development, & Russian help & components. There would be no sudden transition from 100% Russian-built to 100% Indian-built from the 19th aircraft, but a gradual transition from assembling largely Russian-made aircraft to Indian manufacture of an increasing proportion of components.

The Mig 29Ks are delivered on time. The Sukhois are being delivered on time. So that’s exaggerating it a bit.

The MIG is the last option if the terms of the European and American Jets are not acceptable.

I still think its the Americans’ contest to lose, the MRCA.