If the funding is not the issue the technology is. Russia may be struggling with producing a jet with satisfactory performance parameters. If it really gets delayed till 2024 then the IAF needs Rafale. However when rhe french find this out, they may as well hike the price again.
1)Iaf needs rafale and pakfa both and are not competing among themselves
2)We can induct the pakfa along with russians in 2016 only if we want but we are looking for a
better engine which is this
And a better radar which is this
KRET is developing a nanophotonics radar
The technology can help improve “smart skin” for aircraft
A new project has been launched in Russia to create fundamentally new radar technology based on nanophotonics. The main objective of the project is creating elements of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar using nanophotonics.
The project is being implemented jointly by the Fund for Advanced Studies and KRET. Both sides signed an agreement on implementing the advanced scientific and technological project entitled, “Development of an active phased array radar based on radiophotonics.”
The project includes the creation of a new, specialized laboratory and the development of universal technology that will serve as the basis for next-generation radar and electronic warfare systems. Investment in the project will amount to 680 million rubles.
“Nanophotonics is a promising area of research that will soon define the direction of development of dual-use technology in the developed world,” said Nikolai Kolesov.
According to him, the development of this technology
by 2020 will allow for the creation in Russia of advanced transceiver devices, radar systems, and electronic intelligence and countermeasure systems.
A laboratory will be opened at KRET using the latest technology from a range of KRET enterprises: Phazotron-NIIR, RPKB, GRPZ, KNIRTI, Ekran, and others. All conditions necessary for conducting scientific research will be established at this laboratory, including a cleanroom, where dust, microorganisms, and chemical vapors are reduced to minimal levels.
Dmitry Zaitsev, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Deputy General Designer of Scientific Developments for Phazotron-NIIR, has been appointed scientific director of the laboratory.
One of the main directives of the project is to develop and manufacture a next-generation active electronically scanned array radar based on the principles of radiophotonics. This will reduce the weight of the equipment 1.5 to 3 times while increasing its reliability 2 to 3 times, as well as improving the scanning speed and resolution of the radar dozens of times over.
If successful, the technology will open up new possibilities for improving the “smart skin” used on the latest generation of Russian helicopters and other aircraft. By embedding the radar system throughout the entire area of the aircraft fuselage the crew can at any time look at a coherent 360-degree radar picture. The antenna system can work in both active and passive settings to protect against all kinds of interference, transmit both secret and interference data both to the ground and to other aircraft, and serve as a state identification system, among other uses.
Using these new materials and elements based on the principles of photonics, KRET has perfected advanced technology of high-power photodetectors and laser modules for semiconductors.
KRET has already widely used active electronically scanned array technology in creating airborne radar systems for modern fighter jets.
Currently, KRET has created radar for the MiG-35 “Zhuk-AE” FGA and the FGA 35 with AESA. This technology allows these aircraft to track a large number of targets simultaneously by controlling the position of the electronic beam. The system can detect and target the enemy on water, land, and air, while also recognizing its class, type, and size, and solving all navigational issues and directing precision weapons.
Source:
Sukhoi PAK-FA / FGFA: Updates,News & Discussions | Page 145
3)Chinese are struggling with even a copy of rd-33 and al-31 forget about them matching 117s in su-35 soon and the newer engine to be produced for fgfa by 2020.
4)India wants the composite amount of the aircraft to go up with some design changes too which will take some time.Its speculated the 6 th prototype will be a bit different from the other 5,it remains to be sen what those differences are.
