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Russia to offer TU-95 & TU-22M bombers to China
TheMoscowTimes ^ | 13-1-05

Posted on 01/14/2005 3:38:11 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki

Friday, January 14, 2005. Page 3.

Air Force to Offer Strategic Bombers to China

By Lyuba Pronina Staff Writer

Itar-Tass

The Air Force intends to show its Tu-22M3, above, and Tu-95 to the Chinese military.

Russia could sell China strategic bombers and plans to tout them during a joint exercise later this year, Air Force commander General Vladimir Mikhailov said Thursday.

"We could sell some Tu-22M3 and Tu-95 bombers [to China]. We will show them to our neighbor. ... If they have the money, let them buy," Mikhailov told reporters at a briefing, referring to the first-ever joint Russian-Chinese military maneuvers announced by Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov last month.

Able to carry long-range nuclear cruise missiles, these strategic bombers would significantly boost Chinese nuclear capability, said Konstantin Makiyenko, a defense analyst with the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.

Over the past decade, China has been the top customer for Russian arms, stocking up on Sukhoi fighters, destroyers and advanced air-defense systems.

The strategic arm of the Air Force is to get two new Tu-160 bombers this year. Last month, its commander, Lieutenant General Igor Khvorov, said the Air Force is considering about 10 design proposals for a new generation bomber based on the Tu-160.

The Air Force's 30 percent increase in budget funding this year should help to speed up the modernization of its existing fighter planes and the next generation fighter program, Mikhailov said Thursday.

This year the Air Force will finance the upgrade of 17 more Su-27 jets into the more advanced Su-27SM version fitted with new avionics. Late last year it received seven Su-27SMs from the Sukhoi production plant at Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Mikhailov said that Sukhoi is continuing work on the fifth-generation fighter, which it hopes to test-fly by 2007. Its future progress would depend on financing, which has been insufficient so far, he said.

In a new development, Mikhailov said that MiG-29 fighters would also be modernized, signaling a shift by the Air Force away from Sukhoi-only upgrade programs.

He said that MiG officials would next Monday begin inspecting the MiG-29s that are to be upgraded. After the refit, some will be returned to the Air Force and some sold abroad.

Mikhailov said he had also discussed with MiG executives the creation of a new light fighter, but he refused to go into details.

"This means that the Air Force will resume a tender for the next generation fighter," said Makiyenko, the defense analyst. "MiG has continued working on this project, despite Sukhoi winning the government tender two years ago."

In a separate comment, Mikhailov said Air Force pilots will fly an average of 60 hours this year, an increase on previous years.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: airforce; armsbuildup; bomber; china; chinathreat; russia; tu22; tu95
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.The TU-22M Backfire makes sense especially if used in the maritime context.A Backfire equipped with airlaunched Yakhont or Krypton supersonic missiles are a real potent threat to any fleet in the Pacific.The Russians hawked the Backfire(along with 2 Akula class N-attack subs) to India as a carrot for the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier-now that deal has been signed,but there's not been a word on the Backfires.Im still pulling my hair out wondering on any reason why China will have interest in the Tu-95.Unless it's armed with longrange land attack cruise missiles(which the PLA has already tested),it would be the perfect example of a proverbial sitting duck.Any thoughts??
1 posted on 01/14/2005 3:38:11 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us-The B-52's Russian cousin(well atleast that's how some folks see it!!),the TU-95 Bear. Image Hosted by ImageShack.usThe Supersonic TU-22M3 bomber.
2 posted on 01/14/2005 3:43:42 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

May be the navy should re-think about retiring the AIM-54 Phoenix missile...


3 posted on 01/14/2005 3:45:35 AM PST by demlosers
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To: Jeff Head; Tommyjo; Oztrich Boy; Nesher; spetznaz; tallhappy; Destro

PING!!!!


4 posted on 01/14/2005 3:46:01 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: demlosers

And the Tomcat.


5 posted on 01/14/2005 3:49:48 AM PST by ProudVet77 (If it's Saturday, I'm sailing!)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
.The TU-22M Backfire makes sense especially if used in the maritime context.A Backfire equipped with airlaunched Yakhont or Krypton supersonic missiles are a real potent threat to any fleet in the Pacific.

If they can find the fleet. Big ocean, small ship...

Im still pulling my hair out wondering on any reason why China will have interest in the Tu-95.

Maritime patrol, to find the enemy fleet.

Of course, the Bear is dead meat if it actually succeeds in finding the fleet in a shooting war.

6 posted on 01/14/2005 3:52:29 AM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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To: demlosers
How about a companion to the aging and dwindling Tomcat fleet. The whole world has it in it's crawl to bring us down. The Russians sure know how to F things up. Just think if they ever really modernized with a market economy. They have huge resources in oil, lumber, iron, tungsten, coal, etc. Its our good fortune that they prefer Czars with their attendant mismanagement and graft. The Chinese will never be able to control the Pacific until they develop leadership which emphasizes the individual and freedom of action. They may be able to strike a good first blow but then would suffer from predictable strategy (stratergy) and tactics. The sea belongs to us for the next century. But make no mistake--WE ARE THE TARGET.
7 posted on 01/14/2005 4:01:38 AM PST by wildcatf4f3 (out of the sun)
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To: demlosers

"May be the navy should re-think about retiring the AIM-54 Phoenix missile..."

Exactly. Currently the Chicoms don't even have a true "blue water" Navy or any conventional longe range threats. While the Bear is an outdated aircraft, just think about the poke in the eye effect if Chinese Bears start flying up and down the coast of Guam or Japan.

Anyone know which variant of the Bear the russkies are selling? D, F or H?


8 posted on 01/14/2005 4:01:57 AM PST by Wristpin ( Varitek says to A-Rod: "We don't throw at .260 hitters.....")
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To: Poohbah

But there is a maritime variant of the Bear known as the TU-142,which is in service with the Russian & Indian navies.From what Ive read,it's pretty much a standard maritime patrol aircraft(with massive range),unlike it's more heavily armed cousin,the TU-95.Besides ,this offer has been made by the airforce chief,so maritime patrol is not the primary aim here.The Chinese already have an MPA of their own(the Y-8?),which has a decent endurance,though it's sensors could do with an upgrade.


9 posted on 01/14/2005 4:02:30 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: demlosers; ProudVet77; Wristpin; Poohbah

China tests new land-attack cruise missile

By Wendell Minnick

China has test-fired a new land attack cruise missile (LACM) designated Dong Hai-10 (DH-10), or East China Sea-10.

A US defence source identified the DH-10 as a ground-launched second-generation LACM with a range of more than 1,500km. He said it is likely to be equipped with an integrated inertial navigation system/Global Positioning System, supplemented by a terrain contour mapping system and digital scene-matching terminal-homing system able to provide a circular error probable (CEP) of 10m.

China is also expected to field a second LACM within the next few years. The Ying Ji-63 (YJ-63), or Strike Eagle-63, is described by the source as a first-generation LACM with a range of 400-500km and the ability to carry a 500kg high explosive warhead at a speed of Mach 0.68. The missile is believed to be fitted with combined inertial and GPS mid-course guidance, plus some form of electro-optical terminal guidance. The latter is expected to provide a CEP of 10-15m, but it will probably be limited by weather. If it is a TV homing system rather than an autonomous scene-matching sensor, this will require a line-of-sight communications link with the launch aircraft or another platform.

The US source further pointed out that Harpy unmanned aerial vehicles obtained by China from Israel in 2001 are now operational.

These three sophisticated weapons pose new challenges to Taiwan, which has been engaged in extended debate over the ballistic missile threat from China. "Taiwan has not met the growing LACM threat head on," the source complained.


http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jmr/jmr040921_1_n.shtml


10 posted on 01/14/2005 4:06:31 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: Poohbah
"If they can find the fleet. Big ocean, small ship..."

I wonder how many satellites are in orbit that have the capacity to track a fleet? The Russians, Chinese at the least have that capability. What other nations that could be corrupted into providing that data to the Russians/Chicoms?

Seems like neutralizing the spaced based remote sensing capacity of our enemies would be a major priority in any conflict.
11 posted on 01/14/2005 4:07:06 AM PST by Rebelbase (Who is General Chat?)
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To: demlosers
No maybes about it. I still don't understand the rational behind that decision.

Speaking of rational thinking what in hell is Russia thinking anyway?

How is selling nuclear bombers to the Chinese going to improve their security or improve their position in the world?

I understand Putin's KGB roots, but come on!
Arming it's neighbor with backfires that could be used against our naval forces is going to have consequences.

Not the least of which is an arms race that will leave them with a much more dangerous opponent right on that weak border.

We may be the number 1 target right now, but it's a poor weapon that can't be pointed two ways...

12 posted on 01/14/2005 4:07:47 AM PST by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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To: Wristpin

Last year,the Russian airforce decided to retire or put in storage several Backfires,Mig-29s,TU-95s & transport helos.The systems being offered to the PRC are probably part of that surplus.


13 posted on 01/14/2005 4:07:55 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: bill1952

The only way Russia can upgrade or maintain it's airforce is to sell off old systems to folks who have the cash to buy it.There's simply no way that the Russian government can solely provide the funds for new weapon systems.


14 posted on 01/14/2005 4:09:50 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Russian Bombers = target drones from American air power.


15 posted on 01/14/2005 4:14:43 AM PST by connectthedots
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To: sukhoi-30mki

I hadn't thought of that, but it seems like a race to the bottom. 8^)


16 posted on 01/14/2005 4:14:58 AM PST by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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To: sukhoi-30mki

yep......China will sell them to Islamic/Hindu nations?


17 posted on 01/14/2005 4:15:04 AM PST by maestro
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To: maestro

sell what???The world's largest Hindu nation(by population) has a 40 year old territorial dispute with the PRC & has openly stated that the primary reason for it's nuclear tests in 1998 was China's nukes-China sees that nation,along with Japan as it's most formidable challengers to Asian supremacy.China sells a lot of weaponry to Islamic nations,but so do the Russians or even the US for that matter


18 posted on 01/14/2005 4:17:51 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: bill1952
No maybes about it. I still don't understand the rational behind that decision.

If the Chinese do get a long range interdiction capability, the US navy will have no choice but to resurrect the AIM-54s or another missile with the same capabilities.

Speaking of rational thinking what in hell is Russia thinking anyway?

The usual - money and their tendency to aggravate the US.

19 posted on 01/14/2005 4:21:48 AM PST by demlosers
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To: demlosers

However, my guess the navy is in no rush to demil the AIM54, but store them in cold storage in some of our many and large munitions dumps...just in case.


20 posted on 01/14/2005 4:29:57 AM PST by demlosers
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To: demlosers

We'll see how Russia feels when Siberia is flying a ChiCom flag, populating the Siberian airfields with former Russian aircraft, and securing the ground with newer tanks than the Russian Army has. All those natural resources are calling the ChiComs like chum in the water.

Taiwan is merely a diversion. By taking Siberia, China is only 11 miles from the US. Alaska would be at risk, as would the pipeline. That's where China will strike at us, once they're in Siberia.


21 posted on 01/14/2005 4:34:25 AM PST by datura (Destroy The UN, the MSM, and China. The rest will fall into line once we get rid of these.)
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To: Rebelbase
I wonder how many satellites are in orbit that have the capacity to track a fleet?

Aside from the US Navy's assets? Maybe two, assuming they haven't died yet.

The Russians, Chinese at the least have that capability.

The ChiComs don't; the Russians did (notice the tense). They quit launching their RORSATs (Radar Ocean Reconnaissance SATellites) and EORSATs (ELINT Ocean Reconnaissance Satellites) years ago, and the ones they had in orbit at the end of the Cold War are dead or dying.

What other nations that could be corrupted into providing that data to the Russians/Chicoms?

First, they'd have to actually develop the satellites. Then they'd have to actually orbit them.

22 posted on 01/14/2005 4:35:14 AM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
Thats true. Good point
It's easy to forget that China and India have territorial disputes that have spilled over into the military arena in the past.

If it does view Japan as a major challenge, and I'm not saying that it doesn't, then it is hard to see how they would ever help constrain N. Korea, which seems to have Japan squarely in it's sights..
I do not believe that they are doing anything of the kind.

Plus, the challenges that are borne by Japan are, to a great extent, not military.
Though, I suppose that the term hegemony would apply.

23 posted on 01/14/2005 4:37:46 AM PST by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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To: demlosers

Funny how the Chinese have to BUY surplus from Russia and them just wait till the next RAT administration and steal the really good stuff from the USA !


24 posted on 01/14/2005 4:40:13 AM PST by iopscusa (El Vaquero)
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To: bill1952

China containing North Korea is an act akin to,if not worse than the farmer killing the goose that laid the golden eggs!!North Korea & Pakistan serve one purpose-they keep China's most potent rivals pinned down in their respective regions.Just imagine what it would have been if there was no Pakistan or North Korea.Indian aircraft carriers would have no problems operating beyond the Malacca straits & Japan wouldn't be hesitant to engage Taiwan.


25 posted on 01/14/2005 4:41:02 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: Poohbah

I don't trust the EU's GPS system. Too little is public about the payload on those satellites. ChiCom involvement reeks of additional capabilities in that constellation of orbiting vehicles, along with the fact that they're still going to use a frequency that interferes with us.

Whenever the EU strikes out on its' own course - and invites China along for the ride - you know it isn't in our best interest.


26 posted on 01/14/2005 4:42:00 AM PST by datura (Destroy The UN, the MSM, and China. The rest will fall into line once we get rid of these.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
As I see it, the deals are being made for the invasion of Taiwan: the border settlement, the joint exercises, and the arms sales are all pointers as to which way Russia will go on the Taiwan Question.

There is at least one pointer in the other direction, which is that Russia gave Japan the pipeline deal, not China. But when putting all pointers together, the balance falls toward Russia supporting China's Taiwan adventure.

Of course, it could all be unrelated, just good neighbors patching up a few old rough spots, but the tenor of the quickness and the depth of the moves to me speaks of more motives than international comity.

27 posted on 01/14/2005 4:46:34 AM PST by snowsislander
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To: sukhoi-30mki

The future alliance of the US, Japan, and India must have both the ChiComs and the Russians concerned. Russia finally lost future arms sales to India due to an unwillingness to transfer technology and license to manufacture. No doubt China pressured them to be more "exclusive".


28 posted on 01/14/2005 4:46:36 AM PST by datura (Destroy The UN, the MSM, and China. The rest will fall into line once we get rid of these.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Hey India was supposed to buy the TU-22M Backfire about four of them (IIRC). Any idea what happened to that deal?


29 posted on 01/14/2005 4:48:14 AM PST by Gengis Khan ("There is no glory in incomplete action." -- Gengis Khan)
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To: datura
I don't trust the EU's GPS system. Too little is public about the payload on those satellites. ChiCom involvement reeks of additional capabilities in that constellation of orbiting vehicles, along with the fact that they're still going to use a frequency that interferes with us.

RORSATs and EORSATs are really big. The only people who can orbit that kind of payload is the US and Russia. And the EU is using Ariane for their launcher.

30 posted on 01/14/2005 4:49:30 AM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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To: maestro

yep......China will sell them to Islamic/Hindu nations?

maestro, the only "Hindu nation" in the world is Nepal. India is secular and does not buy ANY weapon from China. India and China are regional rivals if not enemies.


31 posted on 01/14/2005 4:55:37 AM PST by Gengis Khan ("There is no glory in incomplete action." -- Gengis Khan)
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To: datura

I think you are thinking in straight lines about Indo-Russian ties.Russia has always been FAR MORE FLEXIBLE than anyone in offering TOT & license manufacturing to India.Their share in the Indian arms market may have reduced(going to Israel,France/EU,Poland,South Africa etc),but they still hold close to 60% of India's market & the signs of cooperation are nowhere near ending.They are selling 2 Akula class N-subs,jointly building a new cruise missile & 5th generation fighter.The chinks in the Indo-Russian relationship emerged primarily on the issue of spareparts(a big problems since the collapse of the USSR)-that issue has also risen in China.

Moreover,India & the US will never get real close to each other as long as Pakistan remains a US ally,which is likely to get more arms(F-16s,P-3s,Harpoon missiles).Combine this with the fact that Pakistan is China's oldest & biggest arms buyer & you will understand my point about thinking in straight lines.

You should also note that EU will almost certainly lift it's arms ban on China by this year-that will substantially shrink Russia's share of the market there.Remember,China also has a much more developed domestic defence industry WRT India,so the Russians don't have a monopoly in anyway.Hence the Russians will never put all their eggs in the Chinese basket.

If you have read the specs of Indo-Russian & Sino-Russian arms sales,you will notice that the Russians have always given first preference to India when it comes to high-tech systems.Compare the Indian SU-30MKI to the Chinese SU-30MKK.Or the fact that China was offered the Klub anti-ship/land attack supersonic cruise missile only in 2003,a good 4 years after it entered service with the Indian navy.


32 posted on 01/14/2005 4:58:47 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: Gengis Khan

Not much in the Indian media.I think there is some issue on "lease VS sale" ie the Russians want to sell the bombers,while India would only like to lease it.Anyway it only has rather limited use as a maritime patrol plane.The IN is looking at conventional MPAs at the moment,with the Franco-German Atlantique having a big chance.The American P-3 Orion was an original frontrunner,but the US was only interested in selling older variants & the decision to sell 8 new Orions to Pakistan killed the deal.


33 posted on 01/14/2005 5:02:33 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: Thud

ping


34 posted on 01/14/2005 5:04:42 AM PST by Dark Wing
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To: sukhoi-30mki

The American P-3 Orion was an original frontrunner,but the US was only interested in selling older variants & the decision to sell 8 new Orions to Pakistan killed the deal.

So much for ur alliance with the US. Actually I thought the TU-22M was meant to be a long range strategic bomber an alternative nuclear delivery system. And plus it can fly at mach 3 speed. Might still be a good thing to have.


35 posted on 01/14/2005 5:09:43 AM PST by Gengis Khan ("There is no glory in incomplete action." -- Gengis Khan)
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To: Gengis Khan

ur=our


36 posted on 01/14/2005 5:10:29 AM PST by Gengis Khan ("There is no glory in incomplete action." -- Gengis Khan)
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To: snowsislander

I don't trust either China or Russia....once a thief....always a thief

Are the F-14's still flying...or are they due to be phased out in the near future?


37 posted on 01/14/2005 5:13:07 AM PST by Halgr (Once a Marine, always a Marine - Semper Fi)
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To: Gengis Khan

The TU-22M cannot do more than Mach 2.2.It was scaled down from being a fullscale (REAL) strategic bomber by US-Soviet arms reduction treaties in the 70s.The Soviets then converted into a medium range maritime strike bomber armed with anti-ship missiles,targetted at American carrier battle groups.If India modifies the Backfire with the Brahmos or Klub cruise missiles,it will be one heck of an anti-ship platform against Pakiland & China.It would also be of limited use if armed with land attack variants of the mentioned missiles.


38 posted on 01/14/2005 5:28:59 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki
The IN is looking at conventional MPAs at the moment,with the Franco-German Atlantique having a big chance.The American P-3 Orion was an original frontrunner,but the US was only interested in selling older variants & the decision to sell 8 new Orions to Pakistan killed the deal.
 
As for maritime operation maybe we can go for the Atlantique. I think we already have the TU-95 Bear. Couple of years back there was some talk of leasing or buying the British Nimrod from the UK. Never heard anything more on that. As for P-3 Orion we should tell the US that we dont buy dumb down stuff. If it isnt the most advance then we dont buy it. 

39 posted on 01/14/2005 5:31:57 AM PST by Gengis Khan ("There is no glory in incomplete action." -- Gengis Khan)
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To: Gengis Khan

India operates around 10 TU-142s(MPA variant of the Bear).The planes were due to be upgraded with an Israeli battle management system(superior to the Russian sea dragon suite) from Elta,but it appears that Russia isn't keen on a 3-way deal.So that programme appears to be on hold for the moment.If upgraded,the Tu-142s will be among the most advanced MPAs in Asia & will also act as a Command & control platform for India's future N-subs.


40 posted on 01/14/2005 5:36:40 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: demlosers

And fit them to what airframe? The Tomcats will be gone by the fall of 2006.


41 posted on 01/14/2005 6:41:08 AM PST by Tommyjo
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To: sukhoi-30mki

sukhoi-30mki, I just notice that your posts are full of racist slurs: "chinks", "pakiland".

Regardless of your feelings toward those countries, please refrain yourself from being a racist. This only puts shame on yourself.


42 posted on 01/14/2005 7:01:58 AM PST by Pussy_Cat
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To: Pussy_Cat

Point out oneplace where I used the term "Chinks"-I have ofcourse used the term Chicom(which is rather common on here).Bout Pakiland,I really don't get what exactly is racist about it.


43 posted on 01/14/2005 7:04:51 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Dear Mr. Putin, enclosed you will find a copy of The Bear and The Dragon by Tom Clancy. Please read before you do anything else stupid.


44 posted on 01/14/2005 7:46:04 AM PST by massgopguy (massgopguy)
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To: massgopguy

Well if Putin thinks about Tom Clancy books as being anything close to realistic,he will probably take the liberty of selling China 6 Typhoon class subs & 25 Topol ICBMs !!Afterall,uncle sam ends up smashing the bad guys & saving the day-which is the common theme in all Clancy books.


45 posted on 01/14/2005 7:48:38 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: Pussy_Cat; sukhoi-30mki

What is so racist about Chinks or pakies that isnt the same with ChiComs, Muzzies, Slammies and Dhimmies you get to hear so commonly at FR.


46 posted on 01/14/2005 7:55:10 AM PST by Gengis Khan ("There is no glory in incomplete action." -- Gengis Khan)
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To: Poohbah

Isn't the problem of finding the carriers simplified though if they are tied down trying to defend Taiwan? It would seem like they wouldn't have as much room to hide in that kind of scenario.


47 posted on 01/14/2005 8:21:58 AM PST by Steelerfan
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To: Steelerfan; hchutch
Isn't the problem of finding the carriers simplified though if they are tied down trying to defend Taiwan? It would seem like they wouldn't have as much room to hide in that kind of scenario.

Back when Ivan had an ocean surveillance system worth a tinker's damn, we routinely disappeared from the Russians' view in the frickin' Med, which is kind of like someone turning invisible while walking in front of your house.

48 posted on 01/14/2005 8:41:51 AM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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To: Gengis Khan
Actually I thought the TU-22M was meant to be a long range strategic bomber an alternative nuclear delivery system. And plus it can fly at mach 3 speed. Might still be a good thing to have.

Tu-22M max dash speed is about Mach 2.5. It was intended for anticarrier work--it doesn't have the range to reach the US, except with LOTS of midair refueling, and the only people who have lots of tanker assets are the US Air Force.

49 posted on 01/14/2005 8:43:31 AM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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To: Poohbah

You are right about the Mach 2.5 speed.
As far as India is concerned China is well within range of the TU-22M. I suppose it has a range of 4500-4800. And we also have refuellers. It maybe well be a useful thing if we fit it with land attack cruise missiles like our Brahmos. I wonder if it can also carry our "Prithvi" missile.


50 posted on 01/14/2005 9:04:21 AM PST by Gengis Khan ("There is no glory in incomplete action." -- Gengis Khan)
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