[The Lion Roars]

Tell me where the jet fuel for the Chinese air force comes from? Their supply of crude oil could easily be disrupted by interdiction in the Indian Ocean. Why do you think the Indians are interested in having aircraft carriers?

The Chinese will soon have access to the Trans Siberian Pipeline to complement train supplies from russia. Future plans might include a route through the Pakistani port of Gwadar and an overland pipeline from Pakistan.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C05%5C24%5Cstory_24-5-2006_pg1_1

[sukhoi-30mki]

Umm,where exactly does the article say India is "interested" in the I-variant??For all you want,China can offer it's J-10 or the US,the F/A-22-doesn't mean the IAF needs to be interested.This move is more a sign of Lockheed's desperation than anything else.The only aircraft which the IAF was interested in was the Mirage-2005.

The time being taken to issue RFPs is directly linked to the N-deal with the US.Once it is seen as being "safe" which will be in matter of months,we will get a clearer picture.