Re: Indigenous Vikrant class Aircraft Carrier (IAC)
Why Russian engines to China which then goes to Pakistan?
I would like to mention few of the basic concepts behind supplying russian engines for Chinese aircrafts, and also to Pakistan this way, as below. we have discussed these things a long time before but I still have to repeat the same things as we find new members aren't aware of these basic facts.............
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Why Russia supply engines for Chinese aircrafts?:- I remember I asked this question to a senior member in a different way, "even if China has cloned one of the best russian aircraft, Su27, but still russia is supplying engines for these same cloned aircrafts like J11, J10 etc? and on the top of that China transfer JF17s to Pakistan with the same russian engines? isn't it all mean for surrendering those who only want your business and then help our enemies too?" then the answers I got as below:
not only India but Russia also had wars with China but it doesn't mean that we would surrender our sovereignty to US+EU, as after fall of SU in early 90s, Russia found itself not very capable to deal with US+EU alone. we need China to impose a credible resistance in front of Western Aggressors and the circumstances of 90s were very tough, when first russian economy was falling and also there were internal wars that time. it was the time when Russia had to ignore copying/cloning of its 4th generation aircrafts to make sure China would remain as strong so that the power balance would remain maintained in world some way. and hence Russia supply engines to China for the same aircrafts they copied/cloned from Russia, as Russia never wanted China to beg for the same in front of US+EU in 90s. as, China itself was not as capable that it could resist US+EU alone in 90s, without help of Russia. so despite history of war between Russia-China, Russia always kept China stood on its feet on the side of defense against US+EU
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Why Russian Engines for Pakistan's aircrafts since 2008? then the answer were in few points as below?
1st, Pakistan's most of the top guns were Western till 2008, China was not the major arm supplier to them till 2008.
2nd, Pakistan had 60 JF17 block1 ($40mil) by 2011 while the same might be in same number of F16s ($70mil) from US, they could easily get F16s. F16s are more capable than any Chinese aircraft and Pakistan also has good infrastructure and training on F16s since 80s too while the price difference is hardly $30mil.
3rd, remember, if Pakistan buy military equipments from US then its mainly comes through aid, they get because of their support on WOT, in 2007 - 10. $30mil price difference means for a total extra money of $1.8bil for 60 aircrafts only, which pakistan could get by allowing more drone attacks, making less noise on WOT during 2007-10. today if Pakistan open its mouth in front of US little bit then its because they now have few arms from China too otherwise, they might have much more capable aircrafts like F16s in place of JF17s, and they might be doing exactly what they are ordered from West in return. and it could all be the worse case for India, as first Pakistan could have better aircrafts F16s, and also keeping an enemy like Pakistan which was always for the purpose to serve the interests of US+UK since 1947.
4th, Pakistani military was never as weak as compare to India as today then its because they now have more Chinese arms. otherwise Pakistan did use to say that they maintained superior Western aircrafts like F16s, Western submarines, Orion P-3 etc due to their friendship with NATO till Cold War. their purchase of JF17s helped them save few billions but they lost their fire power by a big margin. this JF17s block 1, their current inventory of JF17s, isn't capable enough to cross Indian border and can hardly be compared with LCA mach 1. while India has proposed so many upgrades for LCA mach 2 but its a question, whether Pakistan may also get the same upgrades for JF17 blk1. and if not, as likely, then even right now, only American F16s are their main top gun, and would remain in future until 5th gen aircrafts come in light.
5th, in 2008, it was discussed between Russia and India, how much does Russia really get out of selling engines for Chinese aircrafts which are then transferred to Pakistan too. but these basic facts and too many Pakistani visits to Russia in this regard made India and Russia both think that at least this way, Pakistan is getting dependence on Russian techs to an extent. leaving Pakistan doesn't mean that they can't get superior aircrafts from US+EU, they always have this opportunity, but putting an influence on Pakistan was also a concern. Russia also had bad experience from Pakistan's Taliban in Afghan in 80s but it doesn't mean that we can't think in right direction because of few wrong experiences of past. we must always be able to find the best available opportunities, regardless any wrong past.
hence in sum, Russian support for China is only to get our common geopolitical interests done through China, and russian engines for JF17s only reduced defense capabilities of Pakistan this way. and with that, Russia gave its all the best defense arms to India, with full technology transfer to India too, to make sure a power balance is always maintained in Asia also
=> I would like to share my one more discussion regarding any type of support of russia for Pakistan..... there was a time a few years before when Pakistani military was moving its nuclear weapons in unsafe vehicles as they were scared of US that time, and russia offered help in doing so, if Pakistan needed any assistance. Im not sure how much did Russia help them but providing any assistance simply means for getting idea of their own capabilities of handling nuclear weapons, and get to know their key positions, the areas they keep these key arms. its always clear for us that if Russia supply RD-93 engine and if it keep having some problems on time to time then few russian expert will have to keep visiting the defence sites to help Pakistan this way. and it all means for getting valuable information. and yes its obvious that only the key information about opponent is your best friend during any war..........