Message posted by JoenTX on December 07, 2009 at 6:12:43 PST:
Chris and George are dead on. Russian media and military sources have been expecting the imminent flight of the PAF-FA for about 5 years now and there's always "something" that prevented it from happening. The purported hangars where half a dozen ready to go production protos are just stored and waiting for the green light are also never seen. This thing is still years away and I have a hard time believing it will be anywhere near as advanced as the fantasy art speculation we see. The primary external funding source for this project is India who is looking to buy.........but they're currently in the process of deciding on a new medium fighter to the tune of 126 units (Rafale, Super Bug, F-16, Gripen contending) and buying more Su-33s. Knowing a little of the history of Russo/Indian defense deals I can't completely disregard the possibility the Russians are stringing the Indians along just a bit. Holding the PAK-FA carrot just out of reach while encouraging them to buy additional Su-s in the mean time to generate cash flow. Besides, after the money the Indians have put into the program, the Russians are probably thinking the Indians have no place else to go and thus they have wiggle room on timelines and such...
In Reply to: Re: Russian Stealth Fighter posted by Chris McDowell on December 06, 2009 at 23:20:46 PST:
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