Posted on 02/01/2011 10:34:43 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Russian MiG-35 to skip Bangalore airshow
Rahul Singh, PTI
New Delhi, February 01, 2011
The Russian MiG-35, one of the six fighter planes competing with American and European rivals for a $10.2 billion (Rs 45,900 crore) Indian Air Force contract, will not be putting in an appearance at Aero India-2011 in Bangalore next week. Befuddled by the move, the defence ministry is making last-ditch efforts to get the Russians onboard.
RK Singh, secretary (defence production), said on Tuesday, “We don’t know why the MiG-35 is not coming. We want them to participate and have asked our embassy in Moscow to take up the matter.” Russia, however, is among the 45 official delegations expected.
The biennial airshow, to be held from February 9-13, offers international exhibitors a prestigious platform to showcase newest aerospace equipment and technology.
More than 675 exhibitors from 60 countries will attend the eighth edition of the airshow, compared to 592 exhibitors from 25 countries in 2009. The exhibitors include 380 Indian firms compared to 303 two years back.
China, Pakistan and Iran have not been invited. Beijing turned down an invite in 2009. Singh said participating countries were short-listed by the ministry of external affairs. Chinese journalists have also been kept out. The US presence will be the biggest with 250 official delegations.
The Russian Aircraft Corporation’s MiG-35 is locked in competition with Boeing (F/A-18 Super Hornet), Lockheed Martin (F-16 Super Viper), Eurofighter Typhoon (a consortium of British, German, Spanish and Italian companies), Dassault Aviation (Rafale) and Saab (Gripen) to supply 126 fighter planes to the IAF.
Barring MiG-35, the remaining competitors will be flying at the airshow, organised jointly by the defence ministry and Confederation of Indian Industry.
India and Russia signed a $30 billion (Rs 1,35,000 crore) agreement for the joint design and development of the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) last December. The two sides are also expected to ink a $4.3 billion (Rs 19,350 crore) deal for 42 more Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters to be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The IAF’s newly acquired C-130J Super Hercules airlifters, capable of takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways, will debut at the airshow. The IAF signed a $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore) contract with US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin for six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in 2008.
The odd-one out at the airshow will be a Maruti 800 flying car, developed by a Bangalore-based aviation entusiast. Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Singapore, Japan and Afghanistan are among the countries sending official delegations. More than 1,75,000 visitors are expected.
Wow, that looks like a compact load-o-hurt for someone.
Without aerial refuelling, it can hang around the airfield for a few minutes.
Ping!!
Might get a little farther than that:
# Range: 2,000 km (1,240 mi)
# Combat radius: 1,000 km (620 mi)
Admiring India more every day.
Admiring India more every day.
Depends on what configuration that is listed for. The Mig-29 family has generally had rather poor range.
The MiG-35 isn’t going to be there because it far inferior to the FA-18 Super Hornet.
True. Probably needs to have a centerline drop tank to get that range...
Full load and an after burner takeoff just about any fighter needs to refuel after reaching altitude.
Are y’all serious that the 35 can’t be refueled in flight?
We are only serious about where Canada bought a car and found out the steering wheel and tires costs extra.
Because they know they have zero chance of winning, thus why waste time and money?
Where’s the Red Bull logo?
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