Hi Known_Unknown
I'm talking about are the KS-172, in which India has invested significantly for its Su-30 MKI aircraft,
Does invested mean operational in India's AF?
Think about it if a powerful fighter radar can't get a lock on a F-22 or even a AWACS platform what makes you think the tiny seeker in a missile will be able to see and lock onto an stealth aircraft from those distances? I just don't see it.
I don't know if I would rate Russia tech second best maybe in certain areas but I can't see Russia touching what the Israeli's can do. India is doing the right thing to invest/learn from/ work with the Israeli's.
I see you defended the MKI Flanker I never mentioned anything bad about it. Overall I would rate the MKI type Flankers one of the best operational fighters in the world. I would like to see it grow in the AG role more if I had to find one area of improvement. The key is operational some of Russia's projects, weapons, platforms, never seem to get going.
I don't have the names and I don't usually like to post statements without support but I read in a different forum that, one of the two Russian companies designing these long range missile actually closed. It's difficult enough just trying to find update/upgrade information on Russia's AA-12 missile never mind staying locked onto a moving target with jamming gear onboard, from that far. Russia used to be a world leader but years of little or no funding hurt them in this field.
Besides one shot down F-117 which flew in and out of the battle area basically on the same routes nothing Russia or anybody really produced shows they can track stealth. The F-117 I'm sure is over 25 years old or more right or at least the designs for it? Russia can say they can or better yet "we could if we wanted to" but to date has shown no proof.
That's why I'm not a PAKA fan because nothing the Russians have shown even compare to the F-117 never mind a poor man's F-22. I'm not saying the Russians couldn't do it but it takes steady funding and support to the companies and industry to produce it.
Sorry for the long post but that's why I would like to see India invest in the newer tech with the UK, France, or other western firms/companies, doesn't even have to be the United States.
One can see the AIM-120 come along with different public released upgrades, one can see the F-22 and the production lines that made it, and one can see the F-35 production lines and know the US has the means. I just don't see that with Russia