[spetznaz]

Sorry to barge in on your question to S30MKI, but I believe the 40 or so planes India is getting will still be SU-30MKIs that have been strengthened to carry the air launched Brahmos. Not SU-35s. However there is a likelihood they will be to the 'Super Sukhoi' standard, which should make them quite close to the 35. Better engines, and talk of an AESA radar.

The country that is buying 35s is China ...they placed an order for (I believe 24??) from Russia. I believe India will upgrade the 30MKI rather than switch to the 35, and anyways after the 35 the 30MKI is the most advanced Flanker variant, and unlike the single seater 35, the two seater 30MKI fits perfectly to India's doctrine. I think the Indians are more than ok concentrating on the 30MKI, and on the incoming Rafale and the PakFa. With those three platforms they will be very well armed. No real need for any sort of 35 (whether we are talking about the SU-35 or the persistent rumors of the F-35 in Indian colors).

[IndianChief]

Thanks

If the new Super Sukhois are primarily for the anti-ship role, do they still need AESA? I believe the AESA will gradually be retrofitted onto the older batches. What upgraded engines will the last 40+ use?