Of course they have to ask permission for use of Afghan airspace. The Russians had to ask permission and file flight plans for the 2003 mission to fly over Afghanistan and Pakistan. All were agreed beforehand. If you hadn’t noticed it is a violation of territorial airspace if not done.

If you hadn’t noticed these are peacetime operations requiring full cooperation from all parties regarding their national airspace. Afghanistan is not a member of CSTO and that organisation has no juridisction over Afghan airspace. The Coalition and ISAF currently controls the airspace on behalf of the Afghan government. Do you not think that an F-16, etc wouldn’t be tasked to investigate aircraft not under control of the military ATC? The Coalition provides the same service to the Iraqi government.

http://ramcc.dtic.mil/afghan_AIP_12May05.pdf

The Russian Air Force commander, Vladimir Mikhailov, gave an interview after the 2003 Indian Ocean exercises. He said there were no any problems with permissions. “we asked and got it” he said. They flew using “standard international routes”. They took the route of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
TJ

And u havent noticed that Russians have Veto at UN. They could refuse to extend UN mission there and make the whole thing illegal. Afghanistan/Pakistan governments does not really have choice Russia can block even Civillian traffic for them if they refuse to cooperate. These countries need electicity from Russian build dams in Tajikistan. Russia policy is based on strict give and take. Any refusal has consequences.

What does the Su-27 have that compares with the GBU-28? AGM-154? LJDAM? GBU-39? AGM-158?

There is nothing special about these weopons. mostly short range subsonic weopons. any high end integrated airdefense will shoot it down. u need weopons that are the longest range and highest speed for impact and decrease response time against time sensitive targets.

So what weapons are actually in the RuAF inventory? Are we just gonna assume that because export weapons are available, that there must be all sorts of other super secret squirrel weaponry, that only the RuAF has?

Multiple assumptions are being made here-

-the fact that Russian arms companies have offered weapons with X capability for export, is being used as the proof that not only does the RuAF also have these weapons, but with far superior performance.

Ruaf official has clearly said that there Flanker is the best with longest range weopons. There is no need to further challenge that statement. Similar statement is made with reference to Iskander missile. and it includes to nearly all the weopons.

I don’t dispute that export models MAY be detuned from the Russian spec. I don’t believe that Russian versions of missiles/radars have 100s of km range advantages over the export models. I also don’t believe that every weapon that is for sale, has been bought by the RuAF, or that the entire Russian inventory is updated every 18months. How many SU-35/MIG-35s are the RuAF buying exactly?

TMC head has clearly stated that Kh-31AD range for export is twice with biggger warhed for export. So why do u think Russian versions will not far exceed it. Most of weopons for sale are export derivates of Russian own developments. There is no such thing as separate export product.

In summary- lack of publicity, is not proof of existence

Su-35/MIG-35 are not in state defense order. Su-27SM/Su-34/MIG-31BM/Tu-22 upgrades are included.

Even the HMS are improved. Su-27SM has longer range, faster acceleration, longer engine life, further radar and IRST ranges, more EW, communication and navigation system. more automation than any export Flanker but cost fraction of them. It is Russian way of doing business. There is no such thing as so called offsets or high end technology transfer. And they openly say so that export fighters are inferior in combat effectiveness. So they may have canards/TVC/phased array/heavier weights but end result is different. There will be alot other unknowns as they have clearly said there fighters upgrade potential is limit less.

http://www.royfc.com/news/nov/1805nov01.html
The avionics was upgraded for increase the aircraft’s survivability in conditions of intensive electronic countermeasures on the part of an enemy, the cockpit’s instrumentation was revised owing to the assembly of multifunctional liquid crystal displays, an in-flight refueling system was installed, and the ejection seat and the helmet-mounted sight were improved

http://www.royfc.com/news/jan/1405jan01.html
The airplane’s highly intelligent computer complex allows performing this work in an automated mode. That is, the pilot can concentrate his attention either on flying or on destruction of the targets. The computer does part of the work for him. In which connection, as the designers say, it is so independent, that it will be able to correct a man’s actions for more effective accomplishment of the combat mission. The Su-27SM exceeds the most modern export works of the Sukhoy firm in its combat effectiveness – the Su-30MKI and Su-30MKK fighters being delivered to India and China, but it costs an order less than them

It is among first fighter with dual glonass/navstar navigation system with groupd action mode.

http://www.royfc.com/news/jan/2405jan01.html
The effectiveness of the airman’s operation is assured owing to the creation of new cockpit instrumentation, the increase of the targeting and navigational system’s precision and the use of servicing regimens which are resolved via the use of two additional SUV-P computerized weapons control systems, and the installation of the A-737 satellite navigation system (SNS) which works with the GLONASS and NAVSTAR systems
Telecode ((TELEKODOVAYA)) communications apparatus provides communications with controllers and between airplanes in the air, the exchange of information between airplanes of a group, assessment of targets and target designation in combat and even control of the relative position of a group’s airplanes is realized in “group actions” mode.

http://www.royfc.com/news/jan/1905jan01.html
Take that upgrade into the Su-27SM variant. The aircraft lifts 8 tonnes of ammunition – air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and guided and unguided weaponry – any missions are within its capabilities. They have strengthened the landing gear and other elements at the plant, and it, having left the enterprise, receives a life span of 12 years. Almost like a new one. And the expenses for it, in comparison with a new aircraft, are seven times less. But it, this upgraded Su-27SM, meets all the requirements of a new airplane and even, if you will excuse me, spits further than the Su-30MKK and Su-30MKI taken together. Because we put into it all the best of them. And this is the optimal variant of an upgrade.

That’s great if your target is a ship. Now let’s talk about land attack weapons options available to the F-15E vs. …..

Kh-31PM, KH-31AD, Kh-38, Kh-58U. Infact Kh-58 is Mach 4 weopon with range upt 250 to 300Km. KAB-500SE glosnos guided bomb. Klubir airlaunched version of club.

ktrv.ru
During the recent two decades China and India were the best export markets. However, both countries create their own industry, capable of producing the controlled weapon. The special progress in the development of weapon “air-surface”, “air-to-ship” and “air-to-air” attained China. The produced in C.P.R. (Chinese Peoples’ Republic) version of aircraft Su-27 (under the designation J -11b) is equipped with Chinese radar, avionics, engines and weapon. Thus, R -77 (RVV-AE) and R -27 on this “Chinese [Flenkere]” are substituted to the rockets PL-12, and YJ-91 are the version of rocket X -31[p]. Which strategy of company, directed toward the successful development and the access both for the Chinese, and Indian market?
– This is a simple question. On my opinion, YJ-91 – this is our rocket X -31[p], but under the Chinese designation… China continues to manifest interest in the purchase of our rocket. I consider that the rocket cannot be copied. Speaking about the markets of China and India, in the first place, necessary to note that it is possible to be enraptured by these countries, since they grew up and they possess very serious technical-engineering potential. To them cannot be sold the obsolete rocket.
During the work max -2007 [KTRV] it demonstrated three “new” in the development – X -31[Ad], X -58[UShKe] and X -38[Me]. Could not you describe somewhat in more detail about each of these systems?
– Rocket X -31[Ad] has approximately the same application, that the rocket X -31[a], but has more powerful warhead and increased (two times) distance. Antiradar missile X -58[UShKe] is equipped with wide-band [GSN], the folding aerodynamic surfaces make it possible to place it during the inner fuselage suspension.
Rocket X -38[Me] is intended for destruction of different protected, armored targets, it can be equipped with different (modular) types [GSN].
To what extent is important the success of family X -38[Me] for future [KTRV]? When rocket is proposed for the export, taking into account that X -25 is already “ripe” product?
X -38[Me] – this is modular type rocket. With its creation entire that experience, which the enterprise in these years accumulated was used. If we recall the history of the creation of rocket X -25, then it replaced a number of the rockets of previous generation, such as X -66, -23, -27. We continue to use the principle of modularity. It would be desirable to leave with this rocket for the market already today… I hope that this will occur as early as possible.

– Rocket R -73 established new standard for the rockets of close battle with the IR- guidance, when it entered into service approximately in 1987. Are since then past twenty years, and competitors propose the more advanced rockets, such as Asraam, IRIS- T, Python 5, AIM-9X. What in this situation does undertake [KTRV]?
– You mentioned the number of our competitors, who are widely known. I think that in spite of “honorable” age of rocket R -73, she still can itself show, if it adapts in the specific situation. Although in the West appeared the new generation of rockets, R -73 it remains competitive. Certainly, we deal with a question of its replacement by the more advanced models. Works are conducted in the direction of an improvement in the characteristics: noise protection, the possibility of applying at any time of twenty-four hours, omnidirectional action.

– It seems that the development of new rocket K -30 engaged sufficiently much time. This one example of ruinous influence the 90’s?
– As soon as we will obtain permission to mention the designation of this rocket, we will be able about it to speak. The development of armament – this is not that sphere, where it is necessary large “transparency

Russia to build 8 nuclear submarines by 2015

MOSCOW. Oct 2 (Interfax-AVN) – Russia plans to build eight nuclear submarines by 2015 armed with Bulava strategic missiles under a new armaments program, a top admiral said on Thursday.

“The navy has gone over to building ships and nuclear submarines by the batch. A new state armaments program includes a plan to build a batch of eight nuclear submarines that would be armed with new Bulava strategic missiles,” Navy Deputy Commander in Chief Adm. Alexander Tatarinov said, answering a question from Interfax-AVN.

“Deadlines set by the new state armaments program, which is to be in effect until 2015, ensure the maintenance of the sea-based nuclear deterrence forces at a level that makes it possible to defend the security of the country in a guaranteed way,” Tatarinov said.

The admiral said the navy would start being supplied with Bulavas in 2009.

http://www.space.com/news/081002-nasa-soyuz-waiver.html
Bush Signs NASA Budget, Soyuz Waiver Into Law

The AIM-120D will be online in the very near future. Any guess as to when the 600km AAMs are gonna be deployed?:D

What is MIG-31BM currently flying with? Ruaf needs Flankers for Strike purpose.

The F-15E can carry AIM-120Ds, while also carrying a wide variety of A2G ordinance. The range figures I mentioned were from one of the Sukhoi brochures you’ve posted. The combat radius is in the 1500km range though.

AIM-120 is not opertional. I am specifcially referring to AtoG Mach 3 weopons.
That range is estimation for SU-35. Not validated by actual flying. Su-27SM range with newer engines hasnt been posted. It is on flankerman website.