Posted on 05/10/2006 10:46:05 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
The Mexican navy has selected Sukhoi’s Su-27 over the Saab/BAE Systems Gripen to equip its first air defence unit.
Head of the service Adm Armando Sánchez Moreno says the new fleet of 10 fighters will enable the navy to carry out “strategic surveillance” over key areas of Mexico’s coastline.
Preliminary selection work was initiated in early 2005, and the navy is now entering into contract negotiations with Russia’s Rosboronexport agency for the purchase of eight single-seat Su-27s and two Su-27UB two-seat trainers. Local sources indicate that the entire package – which also includes spare parts, tools and personnel training – is worth slightly over $410 million.
If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.
What exactly is "strategic surveillance" and how does one conduct surveillance with a supersonic, single seat air superiority fighter?
They are going to use them to take out the Minutemen.
That's a given.
The SU-27 has a recon configuration as well as a limited ground attack capability, IIRC.
That said, SU-27's make dandy Stinger, Sidewinder, and AMRAAM targets.
Why bother with that when the US Border Patrol discloses their locations?
Are they going to replace their adobe f-16 copies?
Having said all that, if this sale actually happens it will be the first time the Mexicans have had anything resembling tactical airpower in decades. But there is just something about a Mexican SU-27 that I find extremely unintimidating.
Interesting they took the SU-27 over the cheaper MIG-29. I'm guessing the Sukhoi has superior range?
Range may be an important issue for Mexico. I don't think they have any refueling aircraft.
Most of you (probably all of you) know more about the specifics and tactical advantages of these planes. Besides keeping an eye on drug transporters, the Mexican Navy is concerned about whatever happens in Cuba once Fidel goes to that big Gulag in the Sky -- mostly they're concerned with an influx of refugees. Their other tactical concern is what will happen if (or when) there is another civil war in Guatemala (last time, there were armed units taking refuge in Mexico without the Mexicans having the capability to monitor them). The only other possible foreign threat would be a U.S. invasion, something every Mexican military officer says they'd lose.
Russia is warming up to AMLO and the mexican leftists in the military already!!!!! Putin is obviously planning to sell millions of AK's to the Communist mexican government when it gets elected in July!
Watch out!!!
Venezuela/Russia/south of the border PING
Venezuela bought some SU-30 MKK fighters...
Aeronaut ping and put me on your list Paleo
Maybe Vicente ought to make an appointment with Prisoner Hussein so he can ask him how well that plan worked out for him.
L
If Mexico moved on us today I'm afraid defending America might be up to you and me.
Better defense for the Drug Dealers, of course...
Can't have those mean, nasty Coasties chasing them back into Mexican Waters after all, can we??
No, these SU-27's are for when AMLO (Orbitor) takes over Mexico and turns it into an overt immigrant exporting state who will take over the southwest.
By the way, most polls in Mexico miss the migrant popluation here in the US, as well as the poor in Mexico. Therefore, AMLO has a larger advantage than credited for in the Mexican media.
Anyone who says differently either wants your vote or is selling something.
L
We had the opportunity to take ALL of Mexico after we won the Mexican/American war. During the treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo there were some in the US delegation that wanted to take ALL OF MEXICO, not just California, New Mexico. After all, we were in possession of the Mexican capital.
The voices of reason decided to draw the line at the Rio Grande, thus leaving the bulk of impoverished Mexicans outside the boundaries of the USA.
There is no conceivable strategic advantage in our invading a poor country such as Mexico. The nominal advantage which potentially could be gained from the acquisition of their natural resources (oil), would be far offset by the annexation of a crime-ridden, Spanish-speaking, impoverished country such as Mexico. Imagine assimilating some 90 million Mexicans...
These jets are not for use against us.
Also, have to keep up with the Jones's. Sitting at a nice restaurant on the Potomac and armed military helicopters and a fighter jet or two fly by. Need to have that same ambiance on the Rio Grande. It's a sign of the times.
That will be a nice addition to the Amexica air force when the two nations merge in about 5 years time. . . .
'Some of those cigarette boats will just about outrun helicopters and propeller driven aircraft.'
You chaps should buy yourself some Westland Lynx helicopters like we use here in the UK for drugs patrols, particularly in the Caribbean. They are the fastest helicopters in the world - I'd love to see a Cigarette that could do 250mph and outrun a Lynx!
http://www.satellite-engine.com/LynxHelicopter.html
'"Strategic" surveillance' over their own territory?
Yeah...riiiight...
Probably the "BEANER 1" decal on the tail.
We're already 10% there...
Mark
When they lower it with hydraulics, I'd hate to have it suck in all the rocks off the airstrip.
Two thoughts:
1) It'll help them spot where the Minutemen and border patrol are so they can inform the illegals of where it's safe to cross.
2) The pilots themselves will be the fastest illegal immigrants ever.
Is a Mexican Sukhoi’s Su-27 capable of selling half it's fuel on the black market?
[Eyeroll]
Grow up.
never will happen. It would mean a economic recession for decades to try to absorb mexico
You see what happened to west germany's economy when they re-joined with east germany.
Under other circumstances, I would have said that "stragegic surveillance" meant overflying and taking photos etc. of an enemy's territory. Thes United States used to do it with a supersonic, single seat aircraft originally designed as an interceptor.
What El Presidente is up to is anybody's guess, but if he tries my definition of "strategic surveillance" over the USA, he (or at least, his pilot) is likely to eat an AMRAAM.
'never will happen. It would mean a economic recession for decades to try to absorb mexico'
I was kinda thinking it would happen the other way round! What with the gazzillion mexicans in the US illegally and being pandered to by your govt plus your national anthem in Spanish along with most other things, I was thinking I will need to learn spanish next time I visit on business. . . .
"What exactly is "strategic surveillance" and how does one conduct surveillance with a supersonic, single seat air superiority fighter?"
Well put.
"What exactly is "strategic surveillance" and how does one conduct surveillance with a supersonic, single seat air superiority fighter?"
Or, to rephrase, the statement appears to be doubletalk. Doubletalk is usually used when one is hiding one's intention. One possibility is that planes like these could be used to intimidate any relatively low-tech, not heavily armed planes America might uses to help in its border patrol effort.
If Hillary was the president, the natural response to such an action would be to reduce the level of border enforcement.
"If Mexico moved on us today I'm afraid defending America might be up to you and me."
Woah, a little perspective here. You think if Mexico invaded America, the US government would not respond today?
"1. Can it make tacos
2. Can it sneak undetected across the Mexican border with out being detected to do the jobs the American F-18s don't want to do."
thanks for the chuckle.
"We had the opportunity to take ALL of Mexico after we won the Mexican/American war. During the treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo there were some in the US delegation that wanted to take ALL OF MEXICO, not just California, New Mexico. After all, we were in possession of the Mexican capital.
The voices of reason decided to draw the line at the Rio Grande, thus leaving the bulk of impoverished Mexicans outside the boundaries of the USA.
There is no conceivable strategic advantage in our invading a poor country such as Mexico. The nominal advantage which potentially could be gained from the acquisition of their natural resources (oil), would be far offset by the annexation of a crime-ridden, Spanish-speaking, impoverished country such as Mexico. Imagine assimilating some 90 million Mexicans..."
Agreed. People who want to invade Mexico are seeing the problem upside-down.
"PC, that Su-27 sure does look alot like the F-18."
The Su-27 designers probably started with a complete set of F-18 plans, I wouldn't be surprised.
The problem with a helicopter is range and endurance. Often times, you have to track the drug runners for miles before you can take action against them. But you are right. The Lynx is a nice helicopter.
If Mexico invaded?
They are, and there is little response.
An Approach to Reconnaissance Doctrine
and how does one conduct surveillance with a supersonic, single seat air superiority fighter?
One bolts a Kupol M400 Recce Pod 
to the centreline pylom 
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