araz
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2006
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People Can I remind you all that this is a thread about POSSIBLE procurement of SU35s for PAF. So can we get back to topic.
On topic my gut feeling is that even though I love the SU35 and have seen it in flight and it is amazing, personally I see problems with it for PAF.
The PAF could get a coule of squadrons and it would suffice our need for the whole country. We need a central place and due to its immense range it will cover all the fronts. The AL117 is reportedly a beauty and one of the latest and best that Russia has produced. As to the plane itself the titanium alloy build is much better than earlier models and insures at least on paper a smooth and trouble free maintenance for 6000 hrs. the corrosion associated with the use in salty sea environment can be a problem but presumably not too cumbersome to solve. So what are the drawbacks.
Firstly I think it is too soon for the Russians to offer such a plane for PAF. The later itself might be reluctant to accept the offer on account of problems in case Russia decides to change its mind or there are problems with the supply chain, something which the Russians are known about. The lack of any other countries buying the platform at the moment might mean we will be left out high and dry in case of any interruptions to supply chain. we will never buy enough numbers to be able to get TOT and depot level maintenance for 2 squadrons might be expensive on account of lack of familiarity with the engine. It currently does not have an AESA and although the Radar is massive PAF might want to have AESA with the platform. If it does where will the radar come form and the cost involved and will the Russians be willing to accommodate our request for a change of radar. We don't have any commonality with the Russian weapons. To make life easier we might want EU/Chinese BVRs and other bells and whistles integrated on it and again there might be problems from the Russian side.The final aspect is a very common one for all Pakistani acquisitions which is finance. At 60 odd million a plane 36 might set us back a long way and whether this is possible remains to be seen. So can we lighten the burden.
I think a lot depends on how welcoming the Russians might be and in the current situation with our fledgeling relations with Russia it does seem a bridge too far.
Araz.
On topic my gut feeling is that even though I love the SU35 and have seen it in flight and it is amazing, personally I see problems with it for PAF.
The PAF could get a coule of squadrons and it would suffice our need for the whole country. We need a central place and due to its immense range it will cover all the fronts. The AL117 is reportedly a beauty and one of the latest and best that Russia has produced. As to the plane itself the titanium alloy build is much better than earlier models and insures at least on paper a smooth and trouble free maintenance for 6000 hrs. the corrosion associated with the use in salty sea environment can be a problem but presumably not too cumbersome to solve. So what are the drawbacks.
Firstly I think it is too soon for the Russians to offer such a plane for PAF. The later itself might be reluctant to accept the offer on account of problems in case Russia decides to change its mind or there are problems with the supply chain, something which the Russians are known about. The lack of any other countries buying the platform at the moment might mean we will be left out high and dry in case of any interruptions to supply chain. we will never buy enough numbers to be able to get TOT and depot level maintenance for 2 squadrons might be expensive on account of lack of familiarity with the engine. It currently does not have an AESA and although the Radar is massive PAF might want to have AESA with the platform. If it does where will the radar come form and the cost involved and will the Russians be willing to accommodate our request for a change of radar. We don't have any commonality with the Russian weapons. To make life easier we might want EU/Chinese BVRs and other bells and whistles integrated on it and again there might be problems from the Russian side.The final aspect is a very common one for all Pakistani acquisitions which is finance. At 60 odd million a plane 36 might set us back a long way and whether this is possible remains to be seen. So can we lighten the burden.
I think a lot depends on how welcoming the Russians might be and in the current situation with our fledgeling relations with Russia it does seem a bridge too far.
Araz.