This, from our very own SOC, is what I was looking for.

http://geimint.blogspot.com/2010/06/saudi-to-israel-clear-for-takeoff.html

Although it’s not as detailed as I would have it and it has an uncharacteristically large amount of hyperbole for SOC, it is a decent estimation of what the repercussions might be.

I’ve mastered hyperbole, I just choose not to exercise it all the time 😀

Correct. They might simply be refurbished Ukrainian MIDAS’s as well, as the bulk of the Soviet MIDAS fleet, much like the BLACKJACK fleet, was left in the Ukraine following the breakup.

Slight changes in the chemistry of the fuel, maybe?

I thought Denel was supplying the R-Darter for the Sea Harrier upgrade?

The three countries will receive an undisclosed quantity of missiles for use in both air-to-air and air defense missions.

I wonder if that differentiation implies that someone will be using them as SLAMRAAMs?

I could see Egypt and Iran potentially being a customer for either the PAK-FA or the JXX. Egypt has done business with China in the past so its not entirely out of the question, and Iran could turn to China if Russia keeps waffling over supplying even defensive missile systems.

Oh, my hilarious customer was Saudi Arabia. Think of the amusement that sale would cause!

Well, much of the Russian Market has dried up after the collapse of the former Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact.

Tell that to the multitude of nations buying FLANKER variants. How many of them were exported prior to 1991?

As for Iran I wouldn’t hold my breath. Its only purchased a small number of Mig-29’s and seem more happy with 1970’s era F-4’s, F-5’s, and F-14’s. Even rebuilding them several times. Instead of replacing them with more modern types from Russia or China.

Ever think that there might be a reason why they’re satisfied to use what they have for now?

Really, from the list you provide only India may procure a large number. With the other only taking a few here or there. Even that is hardly a given. As the PAK-FA is early in development and India is moving more and more to the West. So, who knows……..

Regardless, I am not saying that Russia nor China can’t export 5th Generation Types in the future. Just that the market will be small as it compares to the F-35. IMHO

I never said it’d be comparable to the F-35. I did say that there is a definite separation between the F-35 market and the PAK-FA/JXX market for the most part. You claimed that the F-35 was the only choice for somebody wanting a 5Gen fighter. Obviously, that is incorrect.

BTW I would remove Egypt from your list. As she will never place a major order for Russian or Chinese Fighters. Unless it wants to give up “Billions” of Dollars of US Military Aid. (i.e. very unlikely)

They’ve bought Russian and Chinese hardware recently, albeit not fighters. They can do whatever they want, cutting off aid is not likely to happen to a nation where we don’t want to see extremism take hold.

And hey, want another hilarious potential JXX or PAKFA customer? They’ve got the money, and boy, would it drive their neighbors up the wall. See if yo ucan guess who it might be :diablo:

If, you want a 5th Generation Fighter. Its the only option available……talk about having the market cornered.;)

That remains to be seen. The PAK-FA will likely be exported, as it is already being developed for India, and the JXX may eventually be exported as well. There aren’t that many nations who’d consider (or be permitted to) a choice between the three available aircraft, however, so having the “market cornered” is really a non-issue. The only real threat to the F-35 would be a European or Asian equivalent, marketable to Western-aligned nations. Unfortunately, at this point it’d probably be too late to really take a sizeable chunk of the market.