Yeah, the Mirage must be a lousy interceptor because of it’s weak engine and lower T/W ratio compared to MiG-23ML ( and i think MF too) and even MiG-21MF/bis if i understand it correctly. ( though apparently it could turn inside a MiG-21 , likely because of it’s wing mechanization)

The americans only got MiG-23MS ( not S ) and BN , and they made their opinions and likely issued recommendation based on those tests. Actually, they sort-of shot themselves in the foot as the MiG-23MF and especially ML are different beasts compared to MS. Good luck fighting a MiG-23ML based on recommendations for a MS. 😉 As it’s well known the israelis were reportedly impressed with the syrian MLD, it could accelerate like *** among other things !

Few new shots, one from today:
http://russianplanes.net/id106482

Couple older:
http://russianplanes.net/id106386
http://russianplanes.net/id106200

There’s a saying i came with which i don’t know it was coined before , especially in regards to what is happening in Eastern Europe military wise: You may be poor and needy , but if you don’t have a capable and respectable military to protect your land, you can’t even be poor and needy in your own country… sadly, i don’t think many in that region think that way.

Look at those MiGs like an investment, you probably won’t need to worry about air-policing and at least regional air defence for the next 20 or 30 years. And be content you ( hopefully!) get at least new birds, not like the 30 year old F-16 junks your NE neighbours will possibly get, only because some rotten politicians are desperate to be remarked by the americans …

So that’s the TFX ? Kewl, wonder what will be chosen as the final design. Any idea what engines are they planning to use?

With all due respect F18Growler (especially) and Y20bacon, but i suggest you either contribute something meaningful or quit being clowns and don’t post here, you pollute this topic with your nonsense and random pictures of no value. Thanks.

This request for “proof” has been asked and done to death many times before, usually most/many western folks are not going to be convinced that the iraqi fighters got a few kills ( a few of those that the “coalition” claimed as lost to SAMs) unless they have the bloody Pentagon admit it in writing , live on TV or whatever, but for obvious reasons ( and there are many) that’s not going to happen too soon. Doesn’t matter if the “misbelievers” are not convinced yet though, if the Pentagon doesn’t destroy those records for “national security” reasons , i’m sure history will show what was the truth. The “believers” know what is the truth already. 🙂

They should get a couple of S-300 or even S-400 divizions too for full national AD coverage, just for the heck of it (and neighbours envy lol) . I for one, i’m looking forward to them getting the new MiGs, it will also make sense to overhaul /modernize those 4 (is that right?) 9.12Bs/UBs they have to last for a few more years and supplement the M/M2 and then replace them with half a dozen more M/M2s.