Yeah!!! You need to understand only one point that no matter in how many ways you try to twist the argument in the end you will have to accept (the way you did in the bold part) that any change especially major modifications like change of pylon
I don't have to twist anything, you just need to read unbiased and try to understand things! You talked about airframe modifications of the fighter, which are not necessary when you add an external payload to a hardpoint. All that is necessary and which I am saying from the start, is changing wiring's and software updates. That is neither a big deal, nor an issue for Russia or France (remember Kargil, when we integrated LGBs with Israeli help, or as I said Astra tests on MKI).
So it remains true, that we could improve our MKIs with such a development, without waiting that the Russians come up with it. Just like this upgrade would make IAF operationally more capable, or that it's easier than developing another stealth fighter type for them.
How did it help India? do we own the rights to sell the plane? we funded the programe and now russia is selling the fighter and that makes you merrier?
You asked how the OEM (Russia/Sukhoi) benefited and that's what I answered. India instead benefits, if we can offer alternative techs and services for Su 30 operators, be it Samtel cockpit displays, DARE EW sensors, Sudarshan LGBs and Astra missiles, or as a stealthy weapon pods. All this can be offered to Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam..., besides the upgrades that Russia offers them, just like how we selected French and Israeli parts instead of Russian once. The indigenous stuff we develop and integrate into MKI, the more our industry can benefit as well.
Just like Israel benefits from selling the modifications they developed for F16 and F15 to Singapore or S. Korea for example.
Again what ever you are suggesting is not going to make india self reliant in making future gen fighters.
Which again shows your level of bias, because the opposite is the case and can already be seen!
Why do we develop Astra missile? Because we want to integrate it into MKI and Mig 29Ks, to be less reliant on Russian missile quality and cost increases when we order them.
Why do we develop and integrate own cockpit displays, spare parts, or insist in as much parts being produced in India? Because we want to be less reliant on Russian after sale support and cost increases during the life-cycle.
Why do we jouin co-developments with them on 50/50 basis? Because we like the highly capable systems that they offer, but want to be able to modify them according to our requirements and increasingly with our own parts (navigation systems and seekers in Brahmos, materials, avionics...in FGFA...).
Not to mention that it makes IAF and IN more capable, if we can add good capabilities to their Russian fighters, that they have to operate for the next 30 years, instead of being dependent on Russian development only.
All this makes us constantly less dependent on Russia, but only to the extend that we really can do it. We can develop a 4th generation fighter today, we can develop even 4.5 gen techs, materials and coatings today. But we still are far behind in design, radar, engine and weapon developments, which means the core fields and that's where we remain to be dependent on foreign help, preferably from partners and not just foreign vendors that want to sell us something!
That's why upgrading our foreign fighters with higher indigenous content, besides doing own low end and joint NG developments, would be the easiest, fastest and most effective way for us to improve our self and get less reliant!
The problem is, when
you look at things just from one side and without an open mind,
you obviously will only come to such wrong conclusions. That's why more rational thinking and less blinding with pride would be important for us, especially for the Indian defence industry!
