I know they have big population, but can’t the chinese military have a base with big enough cleared perimeter to avoid “amateur spying” with photocameras? It should be easier than trying to smudge all images that leak in the internet.

Not too sure.

But certainly, their population density, and probably skillset in urban areas, largely dictates these things. Why create a seperate city in the middle of nowhere just for this? This would be a needless expense not seen since the ColdWar, which is no longer there.

Sorry, with the Advent of the F-22, F-35, PAK-FA, and J-XX. The Mig-29K is in fact obsolete or at very least will be in the next decade.:eek:

First of all, as has been mentioned, it is Kuznetsov.

Second, your post quoted above is rubbish.

And I fail to see what your point is above?

F22 is a land based fighter.
The F-35 is not even operational.
Neither is the PAK-FA.
The J-XX doesn’t even exist yet, at least not in the public domain.

The Mig-29K would make a pretty potent carrier aircraft, and will remain viable for years to come. Surely you should be comparing apples with apples and use the Rafale M or F-18 as the only correct current comparisons?

I realise that this thread is part of your overall thread/post trend agenda, and that it will inevitably, as always, come down to why they just don’t buy an American product, and particularly the F-35.

Correct?;)::diablo:

There is some interest from South Africa it seems.
As they were originally looking at the A400M, they would need something that transports bigger, heavier loads than a C-130. Something approaching a 30 ton payload would certainly tweak serious South African interest, I think. Otherwise, it’s probably back to the A400M…

=TR1;1670063]
So far it has been only paper project. Apparently they have recently decided that if it is constructed ever……

I was under the impression that the keel has already been laid?

Look here:

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,11458.0.html

=Scooter;1668995]The web is full of sources about the Indian Navy looking for a New Fighter beyond the current Mig-29K. So, it’s not like I made it up!

The web is full of lot’s of things Scooter!;)

Anything official though?

India has just made a commitment to buy a naval fighter roughly in the SH class. (I’m placing the Mig29K, SH, and Rafale M in the same category, for they are competitors.)

I can only see them complementing these Mig-29K’s with the naval LCA due to it being an indigineous aircraft, which is sensible for their industry.

Why would they then look for a third fighter???:confused:

Swerve, I agree with almost 100% of what you have posted here over the years. But what Trident posted as follows:

However, unlike France and the UK, the Russian economy still has a lot of headroom for growth. I can’t see the former two growing at say 7% – 3, maybe even 4% at the best of times, but definitely no more.

certainly deserves consideration. Whilst at present what you say is accurate, what Russia has experienced is also a natural condition of the fall of an empire, much like the painful contraction experienced by Britain in the 60’s and 70’s after the collapse of her Empire .

Russia is the largest landmass in the world. There are unexploited natural resources that dictate that, when they sort out their contraction teething problems and if they manage to hold on to their nuclear “stick” that guarantees the total destruction of any current opponent (and indeed civilisation), they will once again become a global power they were destined to always be. This would obviously entail population, economic, and political change, amongst others, but these are recognised parameters that have been mentioned in the popular press and so must be assumed to be political priorities.

Simple economics and politics, really.:D;)

ppp;1665099]
So we have upgraded some MR2 to MR4 then scrapped it halfway through, so now we should import a different MPA and begin a new upgrade programme for those instead?

Was that your actual suggestion :confused:

I am as much an admirer of the Nimrod as anyone. In it’s day, under various guises, it was probably THE maritime patrol/ASW aircraft.

But that performance, particularly it’s aerodynamic performance, came at a cost. There is an argument that that level of performance spec is not needed since the demise of the Soviet Union, and that a more fuel efficient, economical turboprop will be more suitable to todays budgets. Also, when was the last airframe made? How long, and at what cost, will parts still be available/manufactured for such a small amount of specialised beasts?

I think the decision has been made, (rightly or wrongly, I am not in a position of importance to judge) so the focus should be on rapidly getting a decent replacement procured IMHO.

Whether the Atlantique fits the bill, and new airframes could still be produced should certainly be looked at IMHO.