Wednesday 17 February 2021

Russia is so happy. Someone finally buys MiG-35 fighters, but India buys 110 more

Alexey (other)


俄罗斯高兴坏了，米格35战机总算有人买，印度大笔豪购110架_美国

2021-02-07 15:29

The biennial India International Aerospace Exhibition has actually become a "battlefield" for the United States and Russia to compete for the Indian fighter jet market. However, although the United States brought a variety of advanced export fighters to the exhibition, and deliberately let the B-1B strategic bomber fly to the air show to cheer, it still cannot avoid the embarrassment of continuing to stand aside this time. This air show promoted military cooperation between Russia and India. India has a soft spot for Russian-made fighters, and the United States continues to stand aside.


According to the Global Network reported that Russian satellite news agency, February 6, the Russian aviation industry rejoiced in India Bangalore at the "India 2021" air show, India and Russia's United Aircraft Corporation signed an agreement to purchase 110 MiG - 35 fighter jets , the first 20 will be produced and delivered by Russia, and the remaining 90 will be assembled by Hindustan Airlines. It is said that the total price of the agreement is US$5 billion.

This is the Mikoyan MiG-35 fighter jets for the first time formally export orders for the company would be timely Mikoyan, Mikoyan's recent poor sales performance, not only the Russian military are more willing to purchase Sukhoi The company ’s fighter jets, foreign users also lack interest in MiG fighters. If this situation continues, Mikoyan may be acquired by Sukhoi.


Over 70% of India’s current military equipment comes from Russia, which undoubtedly gives Russian arms dealers the advantage to once again defeat their American counterparts in the Indian arms market. According to Xinhua News Agency reported that the Indian Air Show was held successfully in the epidemic environment, opens up new prospects for Russian-Indian military cooperation between the two countries.

The Russian arms dealers exhibited more than 200 military products in total, which became the most abundant and eye-catching exhibition area of ​​the air show. In addition to display full-size model of the Soviet Union -57E latest stealth fighter, the Su-35 , MiG-35 fighters, as well as transport aircraft, tankers and helicopters and other advanced military aircraft , are also high-profile appearance in this Aero India.


Faced with Russia's "luxury lineup" at the air show, aiming to avenge the "one-shot revenge" of the United States, which had previously robbed Russia of its 33 fighter aircraft orders, is also unambiguous this time. Among the advanced fighters on display, the F-15EX fighter that has just made its first flight is included.

However, the performance data of the American F-15EX fighter jets on paper, although it can crush the fourth and a half generations of Russian fighters. However, this kind of fighter aircraft, which has just made its first flight and will be given priority to the US Air Force, is unlikely to eventually settle in India. Because, Indian Defense Minister Manmohan Singh recently has made it clear, saying "only buy Russian fighter Indian Air Force."


The reason is simple. In the current Indian air combat system, except for the French Rafale that has not yet been delivered, and a small number of domestic LCA light fighters with symbolic equipment, the rest are basically Russian-made series of fighters. If India forcibly squeezed US-made fighters into its air combat system, it will result in an already messed up air combat system that becomes even more chaotic. Therefore, it is estimated that the United States has to step aside in the Indian fighter market.

In addition to Air Force fighter might stand a chance in the Indian arms market, the US Navy carrier-based aircraft exports India, is also facing strong repression from Russia. Although the performance of the F-18 fighter aircraft that the United States participated in the war far surpassed the Russian MiG-29K, it is also a fighter aircraft that the United States has great hopes for.


As the main carrier aircraft of the U.S. Navy, the F-18E/F "Super Hornet" carrier aircraft is the most improved model of the U.S. Navy’s F-18 series, and its maximum take-off weight even exceeds the F-15. The aircraft has a maximum flight speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat radius of approximately 750 kilometers. The wings and fuselage are equipped with 9 external attachment points. It can carry all air-to-air and air-to-ground precision guided munitions currently in service by the US Navy, and even has a mounted B -61 The ability of nuclear bombs to implement tactical nuclear strikes.

Boeing's latest improved F-18 model, which only flew for the first time in May last year, not only installed two conformal fuel tanks on the back of the aircraft, which greatly increased the combat radius of the fighter. At the same time, Boeing has also equipped the aircraft with new cockpits, infrared search and tracking sensors and other new equipment, and its comprehensive performance has further moved closer to the fifth-generation aircraft.


Obviously, the United States improved overall performance of the latest F-18, fully compacted Russian MiG-29K . This may allow the US arms dealers to lose orders from the Indian Air Force, and the F-18 will be returned from the Indian Navy's carrier-based aircraft tender.

However, the Americans seemed to be happy too early. The Russians kept an eye on India’s aircraft carrier transformation, designing the lift size of the Indian Navy’s Vekramati aircraft carrier to only be used by the MiG-29K. The American F-18 cannot be used due to size issues. This means that India’s aircraft carriers currently in service and under construction have no choice but to use MiG-29Ks.


Moreover, India’s domestically-produced aircraft carrier was also built on the basis of the Vikramati. Even if this aircraft carrier can finally serve successfully, it is estimated that it has little to do with the F-18. Therefore, if the United States wants to obtain orders for the Indian Navy's carrier aircraft, it is estimated that it will have to wait until India's domestically-made aircraft carriers equipped with catapults enter service. However, when it comes, no one has a bottom.

It can be seen from this that India, as a traditional large user of Russian arms, has an advantage in the Indian arms market that the United States cannot match. In this context, the United States can use political influence to force India to purchase American-made weapons, but it is wishful thinking to replace Russia's dominant position in the Indian arms market.


However, it is too early for Russia to celebrate. Because this kind of contract signed by Russia and India at the air show is not considered a formal arms purchase contract. The procurement of weapons in India is different from ours. The military has signed an agreement, and the government department in charge of weapons development and import needs to demonstrate, tender, determine the plan and rebate ratio, and finally approved by the Indian Parliamentary Budget Committee. Therefore, the current agreement is just an intention. It means that the army is very optimistic and wants to buy. If the Indian army is not too troublesome, they can sign an agreement for the introduction of thousands of fighter jets a year without any payment commitments and binding force. There is no difference in paper.


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