Has there been any indication how many Fulcrums the Russian Navy will buy and the expected delivery date?

I spotted them also, but i was thinking perhaps this may be an archived picture!?They would be a nice addition.

Both carriers were due refits?I know Hermes was due, but Invincible aswell?Wasnt she only a few years old??Imagine how different it could have been had the SuE got through and got 1 or 2 lucky hits with exocets on either of the carriers.It could have been game over.

Isnt it a bit of wishful thinking of Sukhoi to expect to export at least 160 aircraft to foreign customers in the forseable future? The countries mentioned as potential customers (India. Malaysia and Algeria) all ready have top of the line versions of the Su-30MKX and shouldnt be in dire need of a new major fighter for some time to come (unless their current 30:s really suck). Brazil would have been the most promising foreign customer in my book, but as we all know Sukhoi lost that one. What is left then? China should be a big no-no after the J-11B cirkus. I cant think of one major country that is looking for a fighter in the class of Su-35 anny time soon. Indonesia might want to prop upp their AF with another 10-15 Flankers in the future, but thats about it. Anny sugestions? ….Mexico?

BTW: That new cammo theme on the RuAF SMTs look suuupa! (And actually pretty well suited to Russian weather and landscape, countrary to the various fancy looking splinter-cammos seen on the various Flanker prototypes). Lets hope it becomes the new AF-standard.

Wasnt Venezuela interested in this bird?I remember reading it in combat aircraft magazine i think?not 100% though?

looks like the cambodian ground crew is keeping her in good shape!:diablo:

First VH-71 presidential helicopter enters final production

The first of 28 AgustaWestland-built VH-71 presidential helicopters has arrived at Lockheed Martin’s integration and final production facility in Owego, New York.

There the company will integrate mission systems, outfit the cabin interior and paint the presidential livery on the twin-engine medium-lift helicopter, a variant of the AW101, before performing final flight testing.

Deliveries to the US Navy and later to Marine Helicopter Squadron One will come in two phases: Five helicopters in the pilot production batch will be followed by 23 in a second phase.

Four additional VH-71s are being used for flight testing: Two are in Owego having mission systems installed while the second pair is continuing flight testing at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.

Production aircraft PP-1 is undergoing conducting ground vibration testing, after which it will also be flown to Owego for integration and completion.

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the VH-71 program and has overall responsibility for the program and aircraft systems. Principal subcontractor, AgustaWestland, is responsible for the basic air vehicle design, production build, and basic air vehicle support functions.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/01/10/320905/first-vh-71-presidential-helicopter-enters-final-production.html

28 VH-71’s?!Is that not a bit over the top?I know they will be used for transporting the top brass and the president, and they would have to consider potential fleet attrition but is 28 machines actually required?It seems a terrible waste, considering other aircraft are needed for front line service?

An F7 with sidewinders mounted over Lahore in the last few days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/armughan/3130783764/

I havent seen a picture of a SHAR in ages and that one just reminded me how beautifull an aircraft they actually are, both in FRS1 and FA2 models.If worst always comes to worst the RN could always buy the SHAR’s of the indian navy!please note sarcasim:diablo: seriously though, what a waste!