Slashdot Mirror


New Russian Fighter Not Up To Western Standards

schwit1 writes "Despite initial high expectations, the Indian Air Force appears to be souring on a joint development deal with Russia for a new fifth-generation fighter jet, according to the Business Standard, a major Indian business publication. The Russian prototype is 'unreliable, its radar inadequate, its stealth features badly engineered,' said Indian Air Force Deputy Air Marshall S Sukumar at a Jan. 15 meeting, according to minutes obtained by the Business Standard. 'They're very good at building airplanes,' Cordesman said. 'The problem that Russia, since the collapse of the former Soviet Union, has been putting out the military equivalent of show cars. They look good, but it isn't always clear how practical they are and how many of the specifications they can actually meet.'"

7 of 354 comments (clear)

  1. Re:So a good match... by DerekLyons · · Score: 3, Funny

    And don't rule out older designs, the military used to train pilots in new planes by pitting them against experienced pilots in F4s and other older jets, and routinely the older jets would get kills against the new ones.

    So long as your Air Force is made up of nothing but experienced pilots, you'll do fine then.

    We''l just recruit new pilots from Lake Wobegon.

  2. Re:Reap what you sow by PPH · · Score: 4, Funny

    So the Russians are learning lessons well from the decadent western capitalists.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  3. and you have to think in Russian to use it by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 4, Funny

    and you have to think in Russian to use it

  4. Re:not invented here. by PPH · · Score: 4, Funny

    Perhaps because members of the Russian Air Force don't like working in labor camps in Siberia.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  5. Entire article in summary by Gothmolly · · Score: 1, Funny

    "'...unreliable, its radar inadequate, its stealth features badly engineered,' said Indian Air Force..."

    Sounds like they're asking the Russians to Do The Needful.

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
  6. Re:So a good match... by Rick+Zeman · · Score: 3, Funny

    And don't rule out older designs, the military used to train pilots in new planes by pitting them against experienced pilots in F4s and other older jets, and routinely the older jets would get kills against the new ones.

    So long as your Air Force is made up of nothing but experienced pilots, you'll do fine then.

    We''l just recruit new pilots from Lake Wobegon.

    Yeah, all the pilots are above average there.

  7. Re:So a good match... by philip.paradis · · Score: 4, Funny

    I read "defect" as "defecate" at first, and was solemnly nodding my head in agreement, as that would be difficult to cover up.

    --
    Write failed: Broken pipe