…expect Salyut AL-31FM2 or FM3 engines also (imho). You heard it here first folks ;).

AL-31FM1 is ready and used on the Su-27SM and Su-34 so that one seems more likely…..but I guess the FM2/3 could be available by 2012

I don’t think Kapedani follows financial or Pak Fa news (apart from forum gossip) much.

Mental preconceptions often clash with reality

Why do they need IL-112V ? India is replacing its An-32 by MTA ( IL-214 ) why cant Russia do that ?

They have any way big transport aircraft plans coming anyways IL-764 , An-124 , An-70 plus MTA , why add IL-112V ?

The MTA is still not 100% confirmed. If it does materialise it won’t be ready until after 2015. The IL-112V was suppose to start replacing the An-26 around 2012. The first 2 prototypes are 80% complete and would’ve been ready by the end of the year. The An-26 resources will run out by around 2015 so they will either have to refurbish at least part of the fleet or get a foreign aircraft.

According to the report below, the MOD is not happy with the IL-112V engines….it wants more powerful engines installed but that would require a major injection of funds. It’s told the UAC that it should look for alternative sources of funding. The author of the report believes that the MOD wasn’t seriously interested in the IL-112 but is focusing on the IL-476, An-124 ad lately on the An-70

About the cancellation…
http://www.aviaport.ru/news/2010/08/09/200264.html

Comparing the F-35 with the Pak Fa is like comparing a Harrier with a Su-27

Armed MiG-31B, note cannon:….

The Mig-31 canon close up

The Mig-31 is also taking part in the US-Russian exercise

(Translation)
In Alaska have begun joint US-Russian exercises

In Alaska has begun a joint counter-terrorism exercise (Vigilant Eagle), which involves the Russian Air Force, the U.S. and Canada. It will last for four days reports the Russian Service of the BBC . The exercise involves not only military but also civilian experts of the Russian Federal Air Navigation Service and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration .

Earlier it was reported that the exercises will be attended by representatives of NORAD. The exercise will involve the U.S. fifth generation fighter F-22 Raptor, the Russian fighter-interceptor MiG- 31 and AWACS aircraft, A-50 and Boeing E-3B, as well as Russian and American air tankers .

Under the exercise scenario , the Russian Air Force and the USAF will need to locate and escort a plane, ” captured ” by terrorists. The aircraft will proceed across the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to the Far East and back again. Participants of the exercise will monitor aircraft within its airspace. After that, the parties will exchange all relevant information about the ” captured ” airliner.

http://www.lenta.ru/news/2010/08/09/eagle/

The basic advantage of the Mig-31 is that it can cover more ground quickly compared to the Su-35 (mach 2.8 versus 2.25) and can fly higher.

The Irbis should be more advanced than the Zaslon although it is bigger.

The Su-35 should also be able to carry the LR missiles.

The Mig-31 is designed as an interceptor from the outset.

It’s faster than the Su-27/35, has a higher maximum ceiling and can cruise at supersonic speeds for extended period of time.

There isn’t much info on the new LR missile. It could be the KS-172, an upgraded R-37 or something completely different.

PS.

exec beat me to it, although IMO he’s exaggerating the differences.