However, I dont think Zaslon radar has any A-G modes, so such upgrade would not be cheap.

I thought giving MiG-31 some kind of multirole capability was part of BM upgrade program.

So what do you say? The chap can threaten destroying US cities full of civilians, SK Cities full of civilians all he wants and the west, south korea, US etc cannot say or do anything about it?

A response to such bellicosity is justified, certainly. Just not one that assumes some kind of moral high ground.

If you are saying that US is the bigger evil here compared to NK and its dynasty then i am afraid your view is very much in the minority…

North Korea is a twisted regime, but then it is what history has made it — and the biggest maker of North Korea is the United States enforcing artificial separation of a nation which has been united far longer than US has existed in any form. Enforcing that separation to the tune of millions of deaths.

Its no the US that is threatening Nukes to North korea without any rhyme or reason

The Norks have their reasons. Much as Americans have their reasons for irrational actions and threats against Iraq, Iran, etc. Other countries have domestic politics too.

Are you comparing Hiroshima in the midst of the largest war in history with threatening to use nukes in relative peace time?

No, I am merely comparing the scale of the destruction. There was nothing special about Hiroshima in that respect — only the means by which it was accomplished and (implicitly) could be repeated.

The Koreans suffered under American bombs as much as the Japanese did, and for much more dubious reasons. In this context, American concern for the lives of civilians is laughable. And as ground-zero for the demonstration of America’s concern for civilian lives, it is unsurprising that the North Koreans find the joke most poignant and least funny.

Seriously, threatening civilians with nukes? I’ve only seen similar things from Al Qaeda.

Perhaps you should read up on the history of American bombing of Korea. Mass civilian slaughter was de rigeur for Americans in Korea as it was in Hiroshima, Tokyo, Dresden…

Would you think 2020’s or 2030’s?

I don’t think anyone is going to be buying Rafales or Gripen NGs in 2030s.

Argentina has immediate financial problems, but in the long-term it seems mainly an issue of politics. The Argentine Air Force is clear on what it wants (or perhaps more specifically what it doesn’t want) and question is whether funding will be made available to realise it. As in Indonesia there is reluctance to fund the military due to possibility of it gaining undue influence as in the past, but realistically this should not be an issue with capital-intensive project like acquisition and operation of a modern combat aircraft in modest numbers. Is different from money being spent on the Army. :p

Rafale has the lowest risk but how much would Dassault and others want for TOT? French industry is likely to want a high price for TOT, I would think.

Yes the French will be expensive. Nonetheless, I think it is the best choice for Brazil. I am a fan of Gripen NG and wish it all success, just not in Brazil. :p

The B-2s are provocative moreso than other measures because of the history of American bombing during the Korean War, akin to Tokyo or Dresden.

Remember, more thrust is also in the works for the F-35.

And everything else…

Sure, just as soon as Rafale, Eurofighter, etc do the same. 😉

The Swiss evaluation clocked Typhoon at Mach 1.4 w/o afterburner. That is clearly not in the same ‘marginal’ ballpark as F-35.

An ‘objective’ definition of supercruise might be the ability to sustain Mach 1.2 or greater without afterburner, at any altitude, whilst mounting at least 4 AAMs. Mach 1.2 is selected as this is (1) clear of transonic drag hump and thus practical and (2) is of utility vs. platforms limited to high subsonic e.g. airliners, cruise missiles. Such definition would include F-22 and Typhoon (and likely J-20 and T-50) whilst excluding F-35 and Gripen C/D. Rafale, Gripen NG, Su-35 and J-10 fall into the category of ‘more infos required’.