I am not doing mine is bigger then yours. It is a healthy discussion on my part. There is no perfect world but we try to live with what we have.

regarding Su-35S, every new product needs time to establish and mature, at least I know it. Surprised to hear that Su-35S is costly, I was expecting Su-30 +- 10%.

Why Su-30M2 are dirt cheap? I wasn’t aware that there are many(in fact any) airframes in the storage.

Even Su-27SM3 are newer build frame (as per wiki)

Listen up.
First of all, we must have a common undserstanding about cost related with Chain of support service.

What is the alternative of fielding Su-27SM3, Su-30M2, Su-35S out from KNAAZ,
and Su-30SM out from IRKUT?
Hell i could just throw in the Su-34 out from NAPO as well.
They all share to Flanker support Chain.

There are some difference in Radars, EW and comunication system, we are talking about N001**, BARS and Irbis-E. Not that of a big deal. The Older Legacy Flanker are being retired as we speak.

If we disregard the complicated systems, the rest is pretty much the same, even Engines.

If you think this is bad, hell just look at other major AF like US, China, IAF.. How many different jets and systems do they Field?
I’d say the VVS has the lesser cost due to similar type of Inventory.

Shows your ability to reply to someone questions when those questions are associated with point of view and experience (IAF). If you don’t want to answer, it is fine with me.

On seconds thoughts .. why don’t RuAf order only Su-35S from KNAAZ, instead of older models? It is ok to order Su-30SM out from IRKUT and Su-34 from NAPO as well. This way you are already down to 3 from current 5 variants.

How in heck RuAF is going to keep so many variants in the air and manage ground support equipment, inventory and maintenance crew??

Honestly, I don’t foresee 200 PAKFA in the air by Dec, 2020. But on other side if RuAF can manage to keep so many beasts in air (anything more then 50% availability) then anything is possible. To be clear, I don’t doubt the Russian industrial capabilities, but want to know the logic behind so many variants. When they have the budget to buy newer planes then why not consolidate to fewer types?

^^ I salute your capacity to pick a fight and reply line by line .. which is a pain for readers and hurts eyes. Nevertheless impressive .. errr please continue, sorry :sleeping:

There is nothing to be emotional regarding it. I am putting my views on the topic we are discussing.

It is irrelevant for India, if Russia develop it alone (like now) or with China. It also does not matter for us if China gets 2 or 3 fifth generation planes.

We have limited money and would like to spend it wisely to get reasonable outcome of it.

I don’t see all three working together on any military project in near future.

JSR … it is not only hard cash but there are lots of other resources also paid by India. Yes, it is very expensive deal but there is no way we even think to sell it.

I guess Dassault playing tough is good for India in long run. It created few complication for India in short term, like screwed IAF plans. But it is forcing IAF and DRDO/HAL to work closely. Which I am sure will produce positive results in long term. I am awaiting eagerly for LCA-IOC-2, first Astra test fire (although it will take long before induction but still first baby step … very important milestones).