India decides on Russia as source for 5G-stealth fighters

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

As far as Soviet hardware goes, you can't beat them for durability. Conditions that would destroy high tech US warcraft, are the status quo in the FSU.

As regards being landed by two year conscripts maybe. Seems conditions were ripe for whole bunches of them to get messed up real bad in Iraq without a loss of one of ours. Every time Soviet/Russian equipment has been up against US stuff they get their @ss handed to them, no matter who is doing the flying.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

i still like the a-10

I'm surprised we don't have those here in Vermont. They would be awesome for blasting Quebecois tank batallions....oh, yeah...never mind.

anyway, what if we ever decide we want to enforce our National Health Care which will still be so good that all the Quebecois will still want to drive here and escape THEIR system...oh, yeah...never mind.

Hey, Heracles was gonna post something on that. How about it Heracles?

Edited October 8, 2010 by Gary and Alla

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Ever seen one fire the gun for real?

I saw one at an aerial gunnery range off the Norfolk coast, when they were stationed at RAF Bentwaters. It's impressive and not in the least bit subtle ... at all

I saw one open up with the 30mm main gun at Fort Leonard Wood back in 1983 on some assorted scrap metal targets. Impressive is an understatement.

[daboyz 36]

I'm surprised we don't have those here in Vermont. They would be awesome for blasting Quebecois tank batallions....oh, yeah...never mind.

anyway, what if we ever decide we want to enforce our National Health Care which will still be so good that all the Quebecois will still want to drive here and escape THEIR system...oh, yeah...never mind.

Hey, Heracles was gonna post something on that. How about it Heracles?

Vive Quebec Libre! You square head.

[Ban Hammer 13,248]

Ever seen one fire the gun for real?

I saw one at an aerial gunnery range off the Norfolk coast, when they were stationed at RAF Bentwaters. It's impressive and not in the least bit subtle ... at all

yup, had a calfex at fort hood with those involved. first the mrls, then the apaches, and the a-10 came in last and blew the hell outta anything left.

[Pooky 3,761]

As regards being landed by two year conscripts maybe. Seems conditions were ripe for whole bunches of them to get messed up real bad in Iraq without a loss of one of ours. Every time Soviet/Russian equipment has been up against US stuff they get their @ss handed to them, no matter who is doing the flying.

Don't believe the hype.

Go back to Korea. The North Koreans (aka the Russians) flying the MiG-15 were kicking American butt, until the US posted a reward for the first pilot to defect with his plane. Overnight, the Russians pulled their pilots, leaving the inexperienced North Korean pilots to get chewed up by the Americans in their F-86 Sabres.

We'll leave out Vietnam, because the RoE there meant the American pilots were fighting with one arm tied behind their back. Even so, the North Vietnamese, in their Korean War-era MiGs gave an outstanding account of themselves.

Fast forward to Iraq and you'll find it's the quality of the pilots that makes the difference. The Iraqis were an average air force, and this was the first time they were facing a well-trained opponent with first-rate kit. It was never going to be a fair fight, which was how a large number of Iraqi AF assets ended up in Iran.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Pooky

[Darnell 8,478]

i still like the a-10

Me Too ! I was stationed at an airbase with an A-10 squadron, in the '80s, a youngish marine 2nd loo there as the naval liason. It was 'fun' on TDY, always.

[Darnell 8,478]

Maybe India wants some Russian planes, so they can disguise them as something else, confuse the enemy ? Other than that, I'm just stumped as to 'why' to have them.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

As far as Soviet hardware goes, you can't beat them for durability. Conditions that would destroy high tech US warcraft, are the status quo in the FSU.

Partly true--as conditions in India would turn many US-built aircraft FUBAR quickly (17 of the 80 F-16's delivered since 1983 to PAF got trashed when landing through collisions with wild boars); unfortunately, India still has Mig-21's which are almost as old as dirt (which is why many of them have crashed since 1998) . Edited October 8, 2010 by Saddle Bronc

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Partly true--as conditions in India would turn many US-built aircraft FUBAR quickly (17 of the 80 F-16's delivered since 1983 to PAF got trashed when landing through collisions with wild boars); unfortunately, India still has Mig-21's which are almost as old as dirt (which is why many of them have crashed since 1998) .

It helps to have East German mechanics, Czech bearings, and Russian parts, to keep stuff flying. The ChiCom substitutes are just not the same.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

It helps to have East German mechanics, Czech bearings, and Russian parts, to keep stuff flying. The ChiCom substitutes are just not the same.

Mumbai (slum) machine-shop built stuff does work about as well as Russian or Czech--but nothing will stave off fatigued metal.

ChiCom substitutes are more likely to be used in Porkistan than in India.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Saddle Bronc

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Mumbai (slum) machine-shop built stuff does work about as well as Russian or Czech--but nothing will stave off fatigued metal.

ChiCom substitutes are more likely to be used in Porkistan than in India.

I wonder how much of the air frames are original. I have been to the depot in Stockton, and I have seen how far they tear down aircraft for inspection.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I wonder how much of the air frames are original. I have been to the depot in Stockton, and I have seen how far they tear down aircraft for inspection.

658 Mig-21 airframes were built at Nashik between 1970 and 1989--including the vast bulk of the aircraft still in service with IAF.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Partly true--as conditions in India would turn many US-built aircraft FUBAR quickly (17 of the 80 F-16's delivered since 1983 to PAF got trashed when landing through collisions with wild boars); unfortunately, India still has Mig-21's which are almost as old as dirt (which is why many of them have crashed since 1998) .

How well do the Mig's hold up against wild boar collisions?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

How well do the Mig's hold up against wild boar collisions?

Surprisingly, a lot better than PAF's F-16's (of which the bulk is made of fibre-glass).