I find the light vs heavy (aka F-35 vs F-22) argument somewhat redundant for the PAK-FA.

Considering the price tags of both the F-35 and F-22, it would seem pretty evident that anyone should go with a PAK-FA as an import if it costs half the price of an F-35, or 1/3 of the F-22.

dionis, a heavy-weight, twin-engined counterpart to the F-22, is NOT gonna cost half the price of an F-35 or 1/3 of the F-22.

No-matter what the lower costs of production/ economies of scale, special discounts from VSMPO-Avisma etc. etc. the Russians will consider themselves lucky if it weighs in at the price of an F-35.

Personally, if the production run is say 450 (250 for RuAF & 200 for IAF), then a unit cost (today’s prices) of $80-90m is feasible, or maybe the Russians have realised that only by bringing aboard the Brazilian ‘investment’/orders can that cost range seem realistic.

Mr. Pogosyan heads a senior Sukhoi & Rosobornexport delegation to New Delhi for further talks with HAL, IAF & MoD.
Still no word on Brazillian involvement.

Source Sukhoi.

As per a Reuters news report, India will only be given rights for “modification” of the PAK-FA. But it is evident that this “modification” or “tinkering” will only be in avionics, as the airframe design, engines and weapons have entered production after all being frozen and digitalized by Russia. This is no different from the Su-30 MKI model. As in the case of the Su-30, India will be given licence production rights. This right to licence manufacture the PAK-FA and modify some of its avionics, is being marketed as “joint development” by the IAF and the defence ministry.

…it overruled all objections in 2007, and entered negotiations that are still ongoing. As per the MoU, India will fund 50% of the PAK-FA project i.e. about $8 billion. This will NOT include any Indian say in the design of the airframe, engine, radar, weapons and other assemblies. The PAK-FA will only be “modified” for India at its own risk. HAL will be the joint developer (read : licence manufacturer) in India.

Sukhoi’s chief Mr. Mikhail Pogosyan has already mentioned that India’s primary role will be that of a financier only.

Interesting insight Abhimanyu, there are, however, some other issues too.

Firstly, if Brazil is to join the programme (which is still uncertain ’cause there’s been no official Russian Govt./Sukhoi admission yet) I’d be surprised if they’ll get manufacturing rights and the level of ToT remains uncertain, they will also act as financiers with production of PAK-FA-MKB delegated to HAL. That in itself may be an indicator of spiralling EMD costs.

Secondly, this is a huge coup for Moscow- ‘partnering’ an economic superpower like India and courting an emerging one like Brazil with a prestige project such as an FGFA, is sure to pay huge dividends in the future- F-35 well and truly usurped (hehehehehe!!!).

Maybe this will be a future MBA case study, as for Mr. Pogosyan- “…blessed is the man who has vision”.

Well, I am confused? So, this Russian G5 is a new aircraft that is smaller and less capable than the project PAK-FA? IF, so why not just let Brazil join Russia and India is developing the PAK-FA??????:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

This is all hot air. There is no way Brazil can join the PAK-FA programme per se, what it can do is pre-order PAK-FA-MKI specifying avionics suite, weapons systems etc. and those negotiations will ultimately involve HAL as much as Sukhoi (if things advance that far). However, preferential costing on the PAK-FA-MKI will be tied-in to a significant Su-35BM purchase.

Another possibility is Russia & Brazil embarking on a brand-new joint 5th Gen. Light/Medium weight fighter, which the Russian MoD has already rejected- hence it would be specifically for Brazil & unrestricted export.

These are just attempts to usurp the F-35 pitch for Brazil’s F-X tender.