Either they think the F35 is the Global cure-all, or that Airbus (read Germany) is incapable of manufacturing a fighter jet. One of the really interesting aspects of this thread is, whether Europe can avoid the death of it’s fast jet industry and this is possibly why otherwise sober contributors have gone a bit silly with the off-topic chatter.

what you expect?. there is no hope for European fighter jet industry(in 6G context as time has passed for 5G). Germany with Chinese help will make Euro too strong that only F-35 will be financially viable. Plus Germany is putting hefty bill on Brexit that will knock down any procurement in England along with devalued pound. I don’t see Germany helping Macron increasing EU effectiveness. Germany only interested in spending money on bankrupt Eastern EU as they have some fear of Russia in East EU.

If THAT’s the intention, why not save yourself the effort of even a 950ton hull and just buy more Iskander-Ks or (if for some reason the limited sea-going ability is considered essential) containerized Club, to be mounted on hulls of opportunity

do you realize Yak-130 is smaller than Flanker? At some point the missile and electronics technology will be advanced enough (aka compact, global net centric) that usefulness of 950 ton hull will increase.

We hardly put max weapons load on most of our jets. By max I mean to its full ordnance capacity in terms of weight . But there are exceptions to these. You will find many Jaguar and Sukhoi kitted out with a full weapons load pictures.

Jaguar and Sukhoi are not M2K/F-16.

A fully loaded Mirage ,ie the ac appproaching its max take off weight wont have any practical utility is a dumbass statement. Its nothing but a delusional mumbo jumbo. Why are there any Newtonian laws of physics which forbids an aircraft from being useful when it is at its max takeoff weight ? Just because there arent any pics of Indian Mirages with a full weapons load doesnt translate into Mirages cant fly with their full load.

As I said there is big difference between theory and practice.

Have I said anywhere that the MiG-29 and its latest iterations have outlived their usefullness and have become obsolete. Have i ever uttered that the MiG-35 isnt designed for all the long range weapons and ….. . I cant see how you are writing such stuffs. I see you have a thing for the MiG-29 and thats good. But what isnt good is your remark that the Mirage and F-16 have had their day and are useless now.

It is stupid to compare Mirage/ F-16 to MIG-35. MIG-35 has clear upgrade path with new engines/ radars with all the weopons of Su-57.
M2K-9 is stuck in 1990s. UAE/Qatar and Egypt are not interested in upgrading it further. . there are several single engine fighter crashes in Yemen war.
even US is using F-18E/F-15/F-22. F-16 has much minor role in Middleast. infact the conclusion already made that twin engine fighters are the only way to go for performance and high reliable operations in real operations

The Mirage 2000 has a weapons load of 6300 kgs whereas our MiG-29K can carry a load of 5500kg and MiG-29B-12 3500 kgs.

I think you have very little understanding. Have you seen any thing like 6300kg under IAF M2K? and what will be it’s practical utility meaning that can be used for round the clock operation . The MIG29SMT/UPG increases MTOW to over 22 tons. It has that increase fuel capacity . MIG29K different plan with 5 Wet stations . It has demonstrated close to 6000kg from aircraft carrier with 24.5 tons MTOW. MIG29M/MIG35 MTOW further increased up to 26.5 Tons. When compare loaded performance M2K is joke.

I am sure F16E prices in 2017 are not that much less than F35 or F15SA.
The point of MIG35 is it’s built with separate industrial chain.it does not take skilled workers from Flanker production. The bigger Ruaf procurement with modern fighters the more flexibility in putting them in war theatres across the globe. Just look why South Korea now doing summit with Russia . A country ability to attract high quality investments is directly related to it’s deployable weopons.

The point is MIG-29 next iteration MIG-35 has more upside export potential than F-15 or Rafale. If the Egypt deal succeed. they will likely order more as there F-16 cant be upgraded to same capability standard and Rafale too expensive. There will be plenty of other countries that will line up.

@ Vnomad

Ukraine has 80 Mig 29’s. Uzbekistan has 60. Iran has 40. Kzakistan has 40. North Korea 31. Burma 31

There are tons of them out there operating. The theory going around that they are dying on the vine and that there will never be a market for the Mig 35 is just bunk. Most of these air forces will do the practical thing and buy a replacement that all of their infrastructure is built around.

Sudan also i believe. They had largest active exercises with Saudi airforce. The point I was making that India can barely afford 3 M2K upgrade per year and M2K are not even sent for active exercises anywhere. and here Vnimad was claiming IAF and M2K and operations. No one should take his statements seriously .

This will lower the bond yields.

http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/embattled-qatar-eyes-russian-air-defense-systems
Embattled Qatar eyes Russian air-defense systems
Qatari emir instructs Defense Ministry to step up military cooperation with Russia