I was in Zhukovsky, Russia in August last year for the MAKS 07 air show where the Su-35 air superiority fighter was unveiled to the public for the first time. The Hindu reports that Rosobornexport has formally put on offer the Su-35 to the Indian government, as a possible alternative to the MMRCA! I know my friend Hindu defence correspondent Sandeep Dikshit doesn’t weave castles in the air, so this one’s probably’s Rosoboron’s audacious little pipe dream. Though I wouldn’t put it past the IAF to now want all its Flankers standardised “in a phased manner” to the Su-35 standard!
Photos Copyright Shiv Aroor/Zhukovsky 2007
Shiv where is the scope for these in the IAF? with so many of them on offer, where and how will we fit so much a variety , dont understand this?
40 Su-30 Mkis under fast track, then 126 MMRCA, heard even rafale are on offer under fast track, and then FGFA….what is the purpose of these su-35s then?Where do they fit in?
If Su-35 is not 5th generation, then why should we buy it and as it is HAL has tied up with SDB for FGFA, hasn’t it, then where does SU-35 come in? I think all this is a ploy to confuse Indian Government…as it is Antony cant tell an aircraft from a flying disc/or an eagle…who will understand these technicalities and take a decision?Afterall its about big money
su-30mki and su-35 i guess is one and the same thing except may be su-30mki hav more advanced avionics and multi-role capability. so the offer is redundant right. Anyway we will go stage by stage upgradation of su-30MKI, i.e. to new Snow Leopard and 3D-TVC Saturn engines..
1. Isnt this offer too late?
2. Russians are already lagging in other projects, why would we consider this offer?
3. In the name of medium-multirole, countries are selling their most advance and pricey vehicles. Su-35 is costlier than mig-35 rt?
One thing we must demand is getting complete tech transfers on TVC, Engine construction – unrestricted manufacture, complete research data on materials aerodynamics etc
Yes, we can all see the Halo behind you enlightened head. It would have been more shiny if the engines were up 🙂
Just kidding.. great stuff, keep them coming.
The russian are pissing in their pants. They know they are going to lose this one (MMRCA) big time. First they field the Mig-29 OVT as the potential MMRCA candidate, but when they see their rivals profile they chicken out and bring in Mig-35, an untested aircraft that Russian Air Force is itself not interested in. So finally, its the Su-35, of which was built upon the India MKI program knowledge and money. Lemon after Lemon after Lemon. Way to go.
This proposal belongs to only one place: Trash Can. We need “Medium” multi-role aircraft. What part of that phrase is not clear to the russians. They are trying to muddle the picture by dangling an unproven and untested aircraft, just like the Mig-35, which nobody is interested in buying. Of course, Russians will tempt us into buying this unproven aircraft by offering it to China. Whenever the MKI upgrade is due it’ll be upgraded anyways to standards higher than Su-35 or whatever.
Neither Multirole:Except the American and Russian offers of 1970s technology, all other countries are trying to sell relatively newer and more expensive crafts.
Ironically, only the American and Russian airframes(F16,18 and Mig29) have proven multi-role capabilities. The others (EF, Gripen and Rafale) are good – but still in early stages of proving their ability to “Multi-Role”.
Nor medium: They are the top of the line from products, consequently very expensive.. but… India cannot antagonize Russia or the US. So obvious choice is Rafael or EF
If EF is selected it will probably mean tying up for the LCA engine as well, in the form of EJ200. The french have been characteristic of their nonchalance with their marketing silence of the Rafael. I’m sure the IAF pilots will keep a look out for that plane during the upcoming Red Flag.
And why is Gripen even there. Its nothing but an upgraded LCA ! With an american engine and weapons only airframe and avionics are Swedish
Allow this MMRCA tamasha to go on for a couple of years and who knows the rate at which LCA is gaining weight, it might soon find itself in the contention as well.
Since Su-35 is so huge, it should have lot of empty space if not used primarily as a fighter. Why not adapt it for Mid-air refuelling of other fighter jets. Compared to those large size Boeings or IL76, a supersonic fighter would be more capable in escaping enemy fire behind enemy lines. Also as an AWACS platform it could be used. How about putting that AWACS radar which they were earlier going to put on Embraer top on this Su-35. Fighters doubling up as mini-AWACS would on any day be more practical than large size civilian aircrafts turned into AWACS.
Just my opinion, am not a Defence expert.
Anonymous @ 4:19 AM
great suggestion with SU35 and Awacs.. we can also put a hovercraft concept to the ARJUN tank to have a hovertank..would be mine proof and have hell of a punch..pakis will be with their 72 virgins before they figure out if they should bring out a surface to air or anti tank missle when they see one of these arjuns.
just my opinion, am not a Defence expert either