I would agree with the comment about the MK2 being overrated but I would like to see some evidence for the JH-7A being a better aircraft?

U dont need any evidence for JH-7A. It is recarnation of F-4 Phantom in another form. It is underpowered even to Su-24. and should have shorter range and less payload.

It would not have taken alot for the Venzuelans to have got alot better aircraft than these from purely Russian sources. For a start they could have gone with the proposed but cancelled Su-30MK3 (maybe upgraded it with the Zhuk-MFSE instead of the MSE). Then there is the engines, the 117S will soon be available, and at least the AL-31FM1 and possibly even the AL-31FM2 are available now with full 3D TVC.

Frankly considering what is now available to the Flanker these aircraft are poorly equiped and probably over priced.

whats the point of radar with only 20 to 25% radar range increase. they dont have weopons to fully utlilize Su-30MK2 radar range let alone using some future radar. and i find Su-30MK2 alot better than heavier TVC/Canard equiped MKI/MKM type.
And is defenitely not overpriced but underpriced. It is another matter when it is equpped with KH-31PMK/KH-36/38/Klubir/Yakhon/R-37. At that point they need radar upgrade. Better to go directly with AESA.

I actually see MK2 as the most overrated fighter in PLA and that Venezeula got robbed blind on the deal if they paid as much as what was they did.

Even in PLANAF, I feel the recent JH-7A are more favoured right now due to its better range/payload + avionics.

Range/Payload of JH-7A?. It will take for ever to reach Mach 1 with external weopons.
The engines are so worse that no one will accept them in FC-1 let alone much better build AL-31.

FYI, China has done the same thing with the J-11 that India has done with its MKI. It too has licensed production of the Su-27SK design and is replacing select subsystems with its own units, which is exactly what India is doing with the MKI. Nor is China developing all components locally, it has the brains to take help as and when necessary. The only two truly vertically integrated aviation powerhouses were the Soviet Union & the US, and today, both are looking towards international cooperation in a time of shrinking budgets. And that level of vertical integration affected the Soviet economy summat horrible.

I think u need serious education about Flankers now. According to Sukhoi Director at Zuhai Airshow 2006 Su-35 exists because Su-30 is worse than original Su-27. and he is right. Su-30MK2/MKI are alteast 4 tons heavier than Su-27SK. 25% worse performance just because of Weight increase. I am not going into bigger Frontal area of Twin Seater. U can see the weights difference which directly reduces the range by 20% despite 320 kg fuel increase of Su-30MK2 over Su-27SK. MKI will be even worse because of Canards and TVC weight. Now Chinese have managed to reduce weight further by 700 KG. So there is alteast 5 Tons empty weight difference with reduce frontal area compared to Su-30MK2.
Russian manufacturing/Avionics technology in 90s was not at the level to increase payload without increasing weight substantially.
http://www.knaapo.ru/eng/products/military/su27SKM.wbp
In 2003 tests on Su-27SM they managed to reduce Mach 0.4 to Mach 1.1 time by 26 seconds with enhanced engines. and the report is right on this form. I posted it.

Secondly, the MKI is currently better than any Sukhoi-30 variant in service with the RusAF and likely to be so for the future- the Su-35 yet awaits funding. And the PAK-FA will be a Russo-Indian JV as well. So even that claim is incorrect.

Su-27SM is clearly the best variant of Flanker according to Ruaf. Alot of internal things like IRST/FBW/ECM/EW/Communication/Radar/RCS reduction are simply not allowed for export followed by J-11B. and Su-35/PAK-FA does not awaits any funding from anywhere. I can post statements about that.
India is simply too slow to evolve things thats why it is still negotiating on kits. Better will be to obtain another license for Su-35.:D.
By the time MKI reaches Mach 1/10000 feet. (I have doubt about Su-30 as Su-27 was limited to Mach 1.7 according to Saturn)Su-35 will be already flying at at 50000 Feet with full Mach 2. It is another generation interms of physical performance.
Light weight/Small frontal area of single seat/enhanced engines. u simply cannot argue against those simple things.

Interesting report is not the ICBM but Iskander missile. Domestic version alot more range and power. It will be I think world first ultrsonic billistic/Cruise missile combined characteristic.

http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=40460&cid=24
Russia during one day tested two new rockets – ballistic and winged

MOSCOW, on 30 May. (ITAR- TASS). Russia on 29 May tested two new rockets – ballistic and winged. The first – into 14:20 msk at the spaceport Of plesetsk in the environs of Arkhangelsk, and the second – by three hours later – on the range Of kapustin steep bank in the Astrakhan province. Both starting are carry ouied from the mobile installations and obtained the appreciation of first vice- premier Sergey Ivanov, who was present with the starting in The the kapustinom to steep bank.

“in Russia from the present day appeared new operational-tactical complex and strategic complex, which were capable of overcoming any existing and future systems PRO. Therefore from the point of view of defense and safety Russians can look quietly “, stated Ivanov, commenting on the passed tests.

From the spaceport Of plesetsk into 14:20 msk was realized the first test launching of the prototype of new MBR RS -24 with the divided head part. Starting is realized from the mobile launcher, specially re-equipped for its tests. According to the estimation of the service of the information of strategic rocket forces, “the basic purposes of the first launching new MBR are achieved, tasks are executed fully”.

“in Plesetske passed the first flight state tests of the missile complex, known as TO RS -24, the version of complex” Poplar- M “, equipped not with monoblock, but by warhead with the divided head parts, they were completed successfully”, commented S. Ivanov tests of ballistic missile.

Adoption to the armament MBR RS -24 will increase the combat capabilities of impact group RVSN on overcoming of antimissile systems PRO and will strengthen the potential of the nuclear restraining of Russian strategic nuclear forces this rocket it will arrive to change by growing antiquated multicharged MBR RS -18 and RS 20 in proportion to the expiration of their of those prolonged it is timetable operation.

“in the future together with already taken to the armament monoblock MBR RS of y2M2” Poplar- M “rocket RS -24 will compose the basis of impact group RVSN, which will be capable is capable in the composition of strategic nuclear forces of reliably ensuring the national safety and its allies to the middle KHKH.I of century”, they emphasized in the service of information RVSN.

“MBR RS -24 is developed by the Moscow institute of heat engineering under Yuri solomonov’s management. It is created with the use of scientific technical and technological solutions, realized in the missile complex “Poplar- M” which substantially reduces periods and expenditures for its creation, noted the representative OF RVSN. – RS -24 satisfies all requirements of the existing at present international agreements on the limitation of strategic nuclear armaments – the agreements about reduction and limitation of strategic offensive armaments (SNV-Y) and strategic offensive potentials (SNP)”.

As far as tests in The the kapustinom to steep bank are concerned, after the launching of the modernized medium-range rocket in the winged version for the mobile complex “Iskander- M” observed not only first vice premier Sergey Ivanov and Minister of Defense Anatoliy serdyukov, which conducted the there subject visiting session of military industrial commission, but also journalists.

Rocket find in flight 24 min. After 3 min. 30 s rocket reached the height of 100 m, its speed at this moment was 250 m/s. The maximum speed of flight was 257 m/s. Rocket passed several points of the turning of route. After passing approximately half of way, rocket began to descend, deviation from the trajectory was less than 30 m, in spite of high wind and temperature more than 40 deg.

“to me it is very pleasant to establish that the tests of high-precision rocket were completed successfully”, said Ivanov, answering a question of korr.ITAR- TASS.

Sergey Ivanov and Minister of Defense Anatoliy serdyukov awarded the combat crew, which carried out starting.

The operational-tactical complex of ground forces “Iskander- M” of the production of the Kolomna design bureau of machine building (CUBIC METERS), is intended for inflicting of impacts on small size and pinpoint targets. Complex can reach to the purpose the cassette, penetrating, fragmentation explosive, and over the long term and other warheads.

The day before Ivanov recalled that “the base model has already been adopted for military service, the first battalion” Of iskandera “is set in the North-Caucasian military district”. Now “the discussion deals with the second stage of the creation of the modernized version” Of iskandera “.

Ivanov reported to journalists that the military industrial commission accepted at the visiting session the program of the development of the high-precision weapon of ground forces. As Ivanov reported to journalists, she provides for equipment with complexes “iskander” “in different combat performance”. Thus, is provided for the equipment of complex with the cruise missiles of the “increased distance”.

“are assigned critical for each stage of works and work as a whole”, stated the first vice- premier. “we with Anatoliy eduardovichem (Serdyukov), are assured that the works will be executed in time, but with the financing long ago there are no problems”, emphasized Ivanov.

“recently state began to pay much greater attention, than recently, to the improvement of the equipment of armed forces with the contemporary complexes of armament”, said Ivanov, answering a question of korr.ITAR- TASS. “today here on the state central interspecies range of Defense Ministry, in to peace known as Kapustin steep bank, is examined at the visiting session of the commission the program of the creation of operational-tactical systems for ground forces. It implies the cooperation of industry and basic customer – the Ministry of Defense “, he said.

Ivanov recalled that “iskander”, “which began to enter troops, these are contemporary, high-precision system with the use of high technologies, it goes without saying, only Russian production”. “the rocket, which is already accepted to the armament, as servicemen speak, it can work along the attached, ballistic, and also low trajectory”. “now is provided for the equipment” Of iskanderov with “cruise missiles”.

According to Ivanov, “high accuracy – major principle of the creation of new operational-tactical complexes for ground forces, but here is variability according to the types of the rockets: not only classical ballistic “.

Complex can interact with the space means of reconnaissance, the unmanned flying vehicles, and it means, to work on the purposes in real time. The range of its fire – from 50 to 280 km on the launcher are located two rockets, each of which is capable with the high accuracy of delivering of the purpose the cassette warhead with a mass of 480 kg. it began to enter troops in 2005. Up to 2015 according to the state program of armaments, the newest missile complex “Iskander- M” will equipped five missile brigades.

The long range of shooting, which makes it possible to use a complex from the depth of the arrangement of their troops, the short time of the presence on the launching site and the powerful complex of the means of overcoming the antimissile defense of enemy make “iskander” practically invulnerable for the usual weapon of destructions.

By the most important special feature of launcher became arrangement on it not one, but two rockets. The second can start one minute after launching of the first of them.

Ivanov reported that Russia will export the missile complexes Of “iskander” with the distance not more than 300 km, but for itself it will build more powerful. “on the international obligations, which Russia accurately disrupt not will be, it is possible to sell with the distance not more than 300 km, but what to make for her own army – completely different question”, said the first vice premier.

S. Ivanov stated that the complexes Of “iskander”, equipped with cruise missiles, will be placed on the armament in 2009.

“for the next one-and-a-half years we will succeed themselves in completing not only preliminary, but also official flying tests. Beginning from 2009 of rocket to the complex they will go “, he stated.

J-10 beats the JF17 in every criteria, and the PLAAF itself is not keen upon it..what does that tell you?

J-10 does not beat JF-17 even in single criteria. First is the RCS. Second is Cost. third is fuel consumption (lighter airframe with smaller engine). Less frontal drag. And i have yet to see any picture of J-10 that carriers load that theoretically cannot be carried by JF-17. Infact AFM interview mentions some ground attack pods with future multirole capability so it means J-10 and JF-17 are the same as far as Air to air is concerned. so those capabilities of J-10 are yet to be developed. and J-10 does not supercruise nor it has 3D TVC.
Nose size and Weights of J-10 are unknown but i cannot imagine it would be light weight considering design freeze achieved in late 90s with that era manufacturing and avionics weight into consideration.
And PLAAF entire front line fleet is depended on Salyut. why should they add another Fighter powered by Russian engine?. Atleast they are doing alot better not depended on several countries with multiple vendors for Airforce.
I have found some thing amuzing about PAK-FA/MTA:D

If those customers feel they really need them they might. I mean even Australia is considering buying F-22s, though I doubt the US would sell anything but a monkey model to them. If they are then development of such a model will likely include lots of non Russian systems to replace those that are not for export. Will probably allow Russian experts to look at French or Israeli AESA radars etc..

First Australlia does not know export price of F-22. ur only seeing domestic prices. Export Prices are usually two to three times of that. Just look at F-18E. and I doubt Russians will be interested in French/Isreali Radars now let alone in Future.

Sub launched 5,000km range cruise missiles can perform that role easily enough.

It cannot do job. it does not provide decisive 24 hrs protection to Transports, Survellence AWACS, UAVs, Bombers etc. which will surely be needed as economic/political interests expands the geographic boundries.
and this goes far beyond than even what is mentioned in this article.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23398185-details/How%20the%20Russians%20plan%20to%20invade%20Britain/article.do

Do you mean Il-76 with VDV on board?

All volunteer force.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070322/62465755.html
Russia Airborne Troops to double combat power – defense minister

The way the aircraft was first presented it sounded as if the entire plane had been re-designed with RCS reduction and super-cruise in mind. However at the time it was suggested that the BM was to replace the SM as the Russian Su-27 upgrade programme, which naturally limts how different the aircraft can be from the original flankers.

Whilst the new radar/sensors engines and munitions are a great improvement they are all things that can and probably will be beackfitted to earlier flankers. I still maintain that this will be at least a good match for the Euro birds if not an all round better aircraft.

It is already some features with RCS reduction. But real value only customer will know.
And it is far better RCS than any EF/Typhoon/F-18E with those 3 three huge ETs.
Just read on FOX 3. Rafale with 3 2000LT ET with 1500KG payload has only 800NM combat radius. which translates into 1480KM. Still less than 1800KM with 4AAM of Su-35. SImply ET increase RCS, produce more drag, takes paylons, cannot be refuelled in mid air. there is no efficiency gain for smaller engines.
The main feature is lower weight to produce Supercruise and using 3D TVC for nose pointing so missile does not lose energy in turning.
And no other aircraft in world has this kind of AAMs and PGMs combination in Single mission with Range and Radar power. Truly multimission aircraft.
http://www.knaapo.ru/eng/products/military/SU-35.wbp
Design features aimed at stealth capability enhancement