The Race is getting HEATED.......
- It's a Multirole Air Superiority fighter....
- With Maximum takeoff weight of nearly 35,000 Kg.....
- Maximum speed of MACH 2.25!
- Range of 3600 Kilometers.....
Nope, it's not any American Fighter, it's the most advanced Sukhoi aircraft that the company can offer in the Market.....
SUKHOI - 35 (MKI?)
Till now it was Sukhoi - 35 but why the additional MKI? Patience.... :)
There MAYBE an unexpected buyer of these super flankers - INDIA!!!
Russia has offered to India to jointly produced these birds - "An MKIised version of Sukhoi-35"
Weather India accept the offer or not is anyone's guess, but the offer is not completely ruled out in the MOD's circle.
There are many reasons that can make these SUPER FLANKERS the new DARK HORSE......
- Indian Air Force is way short of it's sanctioned strength & new numbers are adding way to slowly. IAF had gone for 126 Rafales in it's MMRCS tender but that deal too is in jeopardy with cost going out of roof & only 36 of them have been sanctioned till now.
- Sukhoi-35 is the latest 4++ generation fighter that Russia has to offer & India is already building Sukhoi-30s Indian version (MKI) so switching to a higher version of same flanker platform won't be much difficult.
- IAF has to desperately add numbers & all three planned inductions - LCA, FGFA & RAFALE are delayed. Sukhoi - 35's "Indianized" version (MKI) would be the best option & a cheaper option that can be inducted in numbers & QUICKLY.
Looking at the present scenario.....
Sukhoi-35 + MKI may turn out to be a Dark Horse......
& Maybe out of NOWHERE, IAF may END up inducting them!!
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