The problem is Russia has a habit of leaving things in a lurch. There have been many instances even though they have not embargoed nations. Iran comes to mind. That and the situation regarxing a steady supply od sparws maybe two issues that might need to be resolved.
A
Pakistan & Iran are 2 different ball games ?
Not only whole of EU+NATO+ISRAEL+ even the so called powerfull Arabian states were against any sale of any weapons to Iran , by Russia ?
Russia needs a long working Islamic partner , who is been accepted by most of the major players in the world ?
Eu +Israel +Arabs +USA none has any problem to any sale of any kind of conventional weapons to Pakistan.
I think , we need to be a bit more pasamistic at this point , & shouldnt start passing judgements on the issue ?
Russia knows well , just standing with sirya & Iran won't help them to be the key player in the region ?
They are willing for a bigger role , which can be seen as equaliant to. USA ?
That's why even with huge hue & cries from India , they are moving ahead with further more military cooperation with Pakistan .
I don't think Russia is going to dump India. In modern age of sales everyone sells to everyone. US is selling to India and Pakistan why cant Russia do the same.I fully agree with you on the policy of non alliance in a world of polarization. However one needs to have mature and articulate politicians for that and you don't have them. I do however think regional interests will drive Pakistan closer to Russia albeit slowly and this would be good for Pakistan as a bit of direct interaction taking out middlemen would save us a few bucks.
A
Who is the middle man you think ?
Oo yeah i read that,, i wrote "Couple of years" and that was wrong, it is wrong
I feel it will take some 5 to 7 years to get this flying in PAF. The Chinese are working on the plane, once they have made it capable enough and mature enough PAF (if interested to buy which it seems they will be) will also be giving some technical inputs and then some modifications/up gradations as per our requirement. Only after that we may see J-31 in PAF.
Till that time, i feel that it will be the F-16 (as PAF have shown again that they still totally believe in this plane and are always ready to buy a few more) and JF-17 future blocks. Ideally i will like, in fact love to see some of the underdevelopment systems of J31 being incorporated into future JF17 blocks in this time. This will deliver a much more potent 4.5 generation fighter an thus we can afford to wait for these 5 to 7 years for a proper 5th generation. Not only that but it will surely take JF-17 to a next level. Things like RAM coating, better AESA radar, IRST and avionics. Yes i understand that will make the plane expensive but remember that these we will be inducting as a 4.5+ generation platform and not the 4th generation we are producing currently AND will actually practically help us keep our air force on par for the time till be start getting fifth generation plane.
SU-35 is a 4.5++ generation by the time j-31 gets its ride in the war skies to get mature experiences till then SU-35 could be a force rocking the skies ?
With a new war mongering + violent India trying its best to lock its horns with Pakistan , we need a mid term solution , which can be further advanced / upgraded to 5th generation level ?
So it will remain with us for a long long time to come specially after its future advanced generation & our dear enemy getting PAKFA ?
In that category SU-35 is only left solution available for Pakistan , F-16 with all of its modernization still can't cover huge radius of India nor it can defend our seas ?
JF-17 is a progressing plan , but again it is still far from being a strike force ?
All we need a strike force which can operate deep into enemys lands .
So , after the stament by the DFM of Russia for Su-35 expected sale to Pakistan , we can plan for a small strike air force , of SU-35 s in PAF to jump into action , & strike deep .
Its not the new wonder of the dam world , if Russia sale it to us .