Sukhoi PAK-FA / FGFA: Updates,News & Discussions

[he-man]

If you like cars with flame stickers and cheap aluminum spoilers then i guess the 055 paint scheme is your taste. I like solid one color paint scheme that look clean and professional. I don't care for 055. Back to topic now.

Then u would love all russian stupid schemes especially the su-25 solid paint scheme

 

[sancho]

I'm curious to see the new prototype, the static model has covered nacelles that appear to also have some lower after shaping. My guess is that the rear landing gear bays also got redesigned.

It was difficult to see from the picturs we got so far, but would be great if true to finally don't discuss that issue anymore. The recent specboards from FGFA / PMF confirms 3D TVC, which means no shapped nozzles similar to the F22, but hopefully the Type 30 engine will have a saw tooth pattern to counter that issue. Why do you expect changes at the gear bays and do you have any infos when the final EW layout will be tested for the early Pak Fa? The placement of the maws and DIRCM below the cockpit seemed doesn't seem to make sense.

 

[ptldM3]

It was difficult to see from the picturs we got so far, but would be great if true to finally don't discuss that issue anymore.

What was difficult to see the nacelle covering or the possible shaping change? The nacelles are definitely covered. As for the possible shaping change, its just speculation from pictures. Both nacelles seem to have some faceting on their lower inner design. We can see that the tarps on both the engines are tight meaning that it is not likely that the tarp is flapping around especially when we see the same faceting from two angles probably taken at different times.

Of course it could just be that the tarps are catching on some bolts or inserts meant to hold the tarps in place.

The recent specboards from FGFA / PMF confirms 3D TVC, which means no shapped nozzles similar to the F22, but hopefully the Type 30 engine will have a saw tooth pattern to counter that issue. Why do you expect changes at the gear bays and do you have any infos when the final EW layout will be tested for the early Pak Fa? The placement of the maws and DIRCM below the cockpit seemed doesn't seem to make sense.

Because everything else has serrations, refueling probe, access ports, weapons bays, and front gear bay, ect. It's obvious that the designers see the benefit in adding those serrations, so why would they leave the rear landing gear bay doors with no serrations when they put serrations on everything else? It makes sense that the nacelles were only temporary, so why bother designing and engineering bay doors that will likely need to be redesigned when the nacelles are redesigned? And no i have no info on the EW suit.

 

[IND151]

Andrey Marshankin, Regional director of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said that Indian Airforce (IAF) is still keen on developing a Twin-Seat Configuration of FGFA, while it will also Induct single-seat FGFA variant and have not dropped plans to Procure Twin-Seat Configuration of FGFA as reported earlier by certain section of media .

Russian Air force don’t have such requirements and Russia had informed Indian officials that development will require major modification to keep airframe effectively Stealth which would drive up cost considerably to tune of $ 1 Billion as well as delay the programme .

Russian officials also believe that adding a second seat is not necessary given the aircraft’s vastly improved capabilities over the current crop of 4++-Generation aircrafts like Sukhoi-30MKI which have Twin-Seat Configuration and is the backbone of Indian air force fleet.

IAF has already dropped Initial plans to Purchase 214 (166 single-seaters and 48 twin-seaters) to 144 FGFA now which will be built by HAL at its Nashik Plant in India, IAF is still is not revealed how many twin-seaters FGFA it wants and how many Single seater variant.

IAF in past also has questioned Russians reluctant to share critical design information with India; IAF’s deputy chief of air staff (DCAS), it’s top procurement official, had declared the FGFA’s engine was unreliable, its radar inadequate, its stealth features badly engineered, India’s work share too low, and that the fighter’s price would be exorbitant by the time it enters service.

Twin-Seat Configuration of FGFA, not Necessary: UAC Director | idrw.org

It was difficult to see from the picturs we got so far, but would be great if true to finally don't discuss that issue anymore. The recent specboards from FGFA / PMF confirms 3D TVC, which means no shapped nozzles similar to the F22, but hopefully the Type 30 engine will have a saw tooth pattern to counter that issue. Why do you expect changes at the gear bays and do you have any infos when the final EW layout will be tested for the early Pak Fa? The placement of the maws and DIRCM below the cockpit seemed doesn't seem to make sense.

?????

 

[sancho]

What was difficult to see the nacelle covering or the possible shaping change? The nacelles are definitely covered. As for the possible shaping change, its just speculation from pictures. Both nacelles seem to have some faceting on their lower inner design. We can see that the tarps on both the engines are tight meaning that it is not likely that the tarp is flapping around especially when we see the same faceting from two angles probably taken at different times.

The shaping, I saw the pics too, but they gave just more room for speculation, rather than a proper view on how they shaped.

Because everything else has serrations, refueling probe, access ports, weapons bays, and front gear bay, ect. It's obvious that the designers see the benefit in adding those serrations, so why would they leave the rear landing gear bay doors with no serrations when they put serrations on everything else? It makes sense that the nacelles were only temporary, so why bother designing and engineering bay doors that will likely need to be redesigned when the nacelles are redesigned? And no i have no info on the EW suit.

Since the front part of the gearbay is designed with shapings and angles to divert radar reflections and don't just use the standard gearbay of the Su 34 for example, which also folds in the same way. The Engine nacelles on the other side, are the same as on the Su 35s, without any shaping at all, so I would not expect a complete new gear bay, rather than a change at the end of it, alongside the changes that hopefully come with the engine nacelles.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

The fifth generation with a minus

Ministry of Defense is not ready to buy PAK FA in large quantities

03/24/2015

Yesterday Deputy Defense Minister for Armaments Yuri Borisov said that the military can buy a smaller number of fifth generation fighter T-50 (Sukhoi PAK FA - PAK FA) than planned in the state armament program until 2020.According to "Kommersant", the military zakontraktuyut only 12 fighters after their commissioning Decide how many aircraft of this type will be able to afford, although previously firmly expects to acquire 52 aircraft.

On the reduction of procurement Mr. Borisov said during a visit to Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant. He stated that "the company is ready to start serial production of fifth generation fighter since 2016". However, continued the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defence reserves the right to revise the number of machines purchased. "In the new economic conditions of the original plans can be adjusted - said on.- We'd better have a reserve in the form of PAK FA and the ability to then move forward to the end to squeeze everything possible out of 4+ generation fighters (Su-30 and Su-35. - "b" ). " President of the United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slusar said "Y" that the position of the Ministry of Defence agreed with the KLA.

According to a source "b" in the military, LG 2020 include the purchase of 52 T-50. "We even prescribed delivery schedule, - says the source" b ".- In the period 2016-2018's, the Russian Air Force would receive eight fighters each year, and in 2019-2020 years - already 14 aircraft of this type." These plans were actually feasible, he said, if it had not arisen in the country economic difficulties: "There is an understanding that to begin with we will sign a contract for the T-50 squadron (12 edinits.-"b" ). After that, we will decide how much they still need and how much we can afford. "In the KLA this information did not comment.

Work on the project PAK FA were launched in 2002, two years after the aircraft was presented to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin in the layout. In 2010, Mr Putin said that the first phase of the aircraft spent about 30 billion rubles., For the completion of the work, he said, required the same amount. During all this time it was created six flight prototype PAK FA. Mr. Borisov said yesterday that before the end of 2015, the military is still awaiting receipt of four fighters for testing. In addition, he said, the company will put the military in 2015. The multi-purpose Su-35 (14 units) and Su-30M2 (five aircraft).

Ъ-Газета - Пятое с минусом поколение

India then has a chance and option to get 40 T50 from Russia by 2020 and focus on FGFA program and induct the rest based on completion of FGFA (phase 2 as per Russia with New engines as well) and upgrade the initially procured 40. 40 implies 2 squadrons incluisve of reserved fighters. This will help a lot in training and assimilating as well as address the quick dwindling numbers. I believe this can be an awesome chance for Su50 -I route and then procure and upgrade to Su55 I (FGFA)

Also attaching an old report of the Burning T50 issue

On the new fighter - old problems
T-50 burnt landing
Yesterday at the airfield Gromov Flight Research Institute in the suburban Ramenskoye lit passes flight tests of fifth-generation fighter T-50, developed by JSC "Company" Sukhoi "." According to the company, the fire was quickly extinguished and after repair machine will continue to fly. Cause of the accident could be a surge, which resulted in overheated to a dangerous temperature, the right engine. Anyway, two years ago a similar problem prevented the T-50 up in the air.

According to reports the Sukhoi Design Bureau, yesterday afternoon the company experienced pilot, Hero of Russia Sergei Bogdan made another test flight of the T-50.Being in the air, Mr. Bogdan apparently registered malfunction propulsion machinery and was forced to abort the test. According to eyewitnesses, already during landing fighter from the nozzle his right engine was smoke, and when T-50 stopped on the right wing appeared flame.

Sergei Bogdan safely left the burning car, and after a few minutes the fighter filled with foam pre-caused fire to the landing site. External injuries suffered as a result of a plane crash landing, fire extinguishing, were relatively small - flame burned out hole in the casing above the right engine and the fuselage in several places dirty soot.

As reported by the JSC "Company" Sukhoi "," victim plane will be restored, his trial will continue, and the incident occurred yesterday will not affect the previously approved schedule of putting the T-50 into operation.

At the same time a source familiar with the situation "b" in the Gromov Flight Research Institute, refusing to comment on the details, said that the effects of fire on board the fighter has yet to be thoroughly explored. The fact that the majority of T-elements 50 in contrast to previous generations of aircraft holds not metal, and composite materials, and as influenced by local overheating in the right engine supporting structure of the machine as a whole, it is difficult to say.

Fire, according to some experts, could be due to the surge of the right engine in flight - a traffic violation fuel-air mixture in the turbine, accompanied by open burning on the exhaust. Engine operation in this mode results in a sharp loss of its power, overheating and damage.

Recall that it was surging prevented the T-50 to make one of the missions in the air show MAKS-2011 - then still a fighter pilot during acceleration on the band saw escaping from the right nozzle flames, was forced to stop off and release the brake parachutes.As one of the possible reasons for the surge experts call malfunction automation T-50, is responsible for the dosing flow to the propulsion fuel.

Note that in the OKB Sukhoi already has a Technical Commission that will establish the exact cause of the incident.

Ъ-Газета - На новом истребителе — старые проблемы


@Abingdonboy @sancho - Your views pls

 

[Abingdonboy]

The fifth generation with a minus

Ministry of Defense is not ready to buy PAK FA in large quantities

03/24/2015

Yesterday Deputy Defense Minister for Armaments Yuri Borisov said that the military can buy a smaller number of fifth generation fighter T-50 (Sukhoi PAK FA - PAK FA) than planned in the state armament program until 2020.According to "Kommersant", the military zakontraktuyut only 12 fighters after their commissioning Decide how many aircraft of this type will be able to afford, although previously firmly expects to acquire 52 aircraft.

On the reduction of procurement Mr. Borisov said during a visit to Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant. He stated that "the company is ready to start serial production of fifth generation fighter since 2016". However, continued the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defence reserves the right to revise the number of machines purchased. "In the new economic conditions of the original plans can be adjusted - said on.- We'd better have a reserve in the form of PAK FA and the ability to then move forward to the end to squeeze everything possible out of 4+ generation fighters (Su-30 and Su-35. - "b" ). " President of the United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slusar said "Y" that the position of the Ministry of Defence agreed with the KLA.

According to a source "b" in the military, LG 2020 include the purchase of 52 T-50. "We even prescribed delivery schedule, - says the source" b ".- In the period 2016-2018's, the Russian Air Force would receive eight fighters each year, and in 2019-2020 years - already 14 aircraft of this type." These plans were actually feasible, he said, if it had not arisen in the country economic difficulties: "There is an understanding that to begin with we will sign a contract for the T-50 squadron (12 edinits.-"b" ). After that, we will decide how much they still need and how much we can afford. "In the KLA this information did not comment.

Work on the project PAK FA were launched in 2002, two years after the aircraft was presented to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin in the layout. In 2010, Mr Putin said that the first phase of the aircraft spent about 30 billion rubles., For the completion of the work, he said, required the same amount. During all this time it was created six flight prototype PAK FA. Mr. Borisov said yesterday that before the end of 2015, the military is still awaiting receipt of four fighters for testing. In addition, he said, the company will put the military in 2015. The multi-purpose Su-35 (14 units) and Su-30M2 (five aircraft).

Ъ-Газета - Пятое с минусом поколение

India then has a chance and option to get 40 T50 from Russia by 2020 and focus on FGFA program and induct the rest based on completion of FGFA (phase 2 as per Russia with New engines as well) and upgrade the initially procured 40. 40 implies 2 squadrons incluisve of reserved fighters. This will help a lot in training and assimilating as well as address the quick dwindling numbers. I believe this can be an awesome chance for Su50 -I route and then procure and upgrade to Su55 I (FGFA)

Also attaching an old report of the Burning T50 issue

On the new fighter - old problems
T-50 burnt landing
Yesterday at the airfield Gromov Flight Research Institute in the suburban Ramenskoye lit passes flight tests of fifth-generation fighter T-50, developed by JSC "Company" Sukhoi "." According to the company, the fire was quickly extinguished and after repair machine will continue to fly. Cause of the accident could be a surge, which resulted in overheated to a dangerous temperature, the right engine. Anyway, two years ago a similar problem prevented the T-50 up in the air.

According to reports the Sukhoi Design Bureau, yesterday afternoon the company experienced pilot, Hero of Russia Sergei Bogdan made another test flight of the T-50.Being in the air, Mr. Bogdan apparently registered malfunction propulsion machinery and was forced to abort the test. According to eyewitnesses, already during landing fighter from the nozzle his right engine was smoke, and when T-50 stopped on the right wing appeared flame.

Sergei Bogdan safely left the burning car, and after a few minutes the fighter filled with foam pre-caused fire to the landing site. External injuries suffered as a result of a plane crash landing, fire extinguishing, were relatively small - flame burned out hole in the casing above the right engine and the fuselage in several places dirty soot.

As reported by the JSC "Company" Sukhoi "," victim plane will be restored, his trial will continue, and the incident occurred yesterday will not affect the previously approved schedule of putting the T-50 into operation.

At the same time a source familiar with the situation "b" in the Gromov Flight Research Institute, refusing to comment on the details, said that the effects of fire on board the fighter has yet to be thoroughly explored. The fact that the majority of T-elements 50 in contrast to previous generations of aircraft holds not metal, and composite materials, and as influenced by local overheating in the right engine supporting structure of the machine as a whole, it is difficult to say.

Fire, according to some experts, could be due to the surge of the right engine in flight - a traffic violation fuel-air mixture in the turbine, accompanied by open burning on the exhaust. Engine operation in this mode results in a sharp loss of its power, overheating and damage.

Recall that it was surging prevented the T-50 to make one of the missions in the air show MAKS-2011 - then still a fighter pilot during acceleration on the band saw escaping from the right nozzle flames, was forced to stop off and release the brake parachutes.As one of the possible reasons for the surge experts call malfunction automation T-50, is responsible for the dosing flow to the propulsion fuel.

Note that in the OKB Sukhoi already has a Technical Commission that will establish the exact cause of the incident.

Ъ-Газета - На новом истребителе — старые проблемы


@Abingdonboy @sancho - Your views pls

And this is being hyped up as a realistic and attractive alternative to the Rafale deal? The FGFA is STILL a paper plane with no good news coming out for a LONG time (despite what the honourable DM would like to claim) and more heavy and expensive (LCCs and to maintain) Su-30 class fighters with low availability is clearly not a viable option either.


My view? Sign the damn Rafale deal ASAP (within weeks) and let this drama with the Russians play out (as always happens with all Russian defence deals) otherwise the IAF will get scr*wed on all fronts.



Russians taking the pi$$ as usual........

 

[PARIKRAMA]

And this is being hyped up as a realistic and attractive alternative to the Rafale deal? The FGFA is STILL a paper plane with no good news coming out for a LONG time (despite what the honourable DM would like to claim) and more heavy and expensive (LCCs and to maintain) Su-30 class fighters with low availability is clearly not a viable option either.


My view? Sign the damn Rafale deal ASAP (within weeks) and let this drama with the Russians play out (as always happens with all Russian defence deals) otherwise the IAF will get scr*wed on all fronts.



Russians taking the pi$$ as usual........

Indeed a very valid point. if this is what ruskies had offered DM for cancelling rafale deal then how about the chance of signing rafale and taking 40 T50s together? I am sure budget is not a problem but possibly this may keep both sides happy and hopefully at least satisfied.

A side question, if russians order less, wont the price of jet per unit go up?

 

[vostok]

The fifth generation with a minus

Ministry of Defense is not ready to buy PAK FA in large quantities

03/24/2015

Yesterday Deputy Defense Minister for Armaments Yuri Borisov said that the military can buy a smaller number of fifth generation fighter T-50 (Sukhoi PAK FA - PAK FA) than planned in the state armament program until 2020.According to "Kommersant", the military zakontraktuyut only 12 fighters after their commissioning Decide how many aircraft of this type will be able to afford, although previously firmly expects to acquire 52 aircraft.

On the reduction of procurement Mr. Borisov said during a visit to Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant. He stated that "the company is ready to start serial production of fifth generation fighter since 2016". However, continued the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defence reserves the right to revise the number of machines purchased. "In the new economic conditions of the original plans can be adjusted - said on.- We'd better have a reserve in the form of PAK FA and the ability to then move forward to the end to squeeze everything possible out of 4+ generation fighters (Su-30 and Su-35. - "b" ). " President of the United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slusar said "Y" that the position of the Ministry of Defence agreed with the KLA.

According to a source "b" in the military, LG 2020 include the purchase of 52 T-50. "We even prescribed delivery schedule, - says the source" b ".- In the period 2016-2018's, the Russian Air Force would receive eight fighters each year, and in 2019-2020 years - already 14 aircraft of this type." These plans were actually feasible, he said, if it had not arisen in the country economic difficulties: "There is an understanding that to begin with we will sign a contract for the T-50 squadron (12 edinits.-"b" ). After that, we will decide how much they still need and how much we can afford. "In the KLA this information did not comment.

Work on the project PAK FA were launched in 2002, two years after the aircraft was presented to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin in the layout. In 2010, Mr Putin said that the first phase of the aircraft spent about 30 billion rubles., For the completion of the work, he said, required the same amount. During all this time it was created six flight prototype PAK FA. Mr. Borisov said yesterday that before the end of 2015, the military is still awaiting receipt of four fighters for testing. In addition, he said, the company will put the military in 2015. The multi-purpose Su-35 (14 units) and Su-30M2 (five aircraft).

Ъ-Газета - Пятое с минусом поколение

India then has a chance and option to get 40 T50 from Russia by 2020 and focus on FGFA program and induct the rest based on completion of FGFA (phase 2 as per Russia with New engines as well) and upgrade the initially procured 40. 40 implies 2 squadrons incluisve of reserved fighters. This will help a lot in training and assimilating as well as address the quick dwindling numbers. I believe this can be an awesome chance for Su50 -I route and then procure and upgrade to Su55 I (FGFA)

Also attaching an old report of the Burning T50 issue

On the new fighter - old problems
T-50 burnt landing
Yesterday at the airfield Gromov Flight Research Institute in the suburban Ramenskoye lit passes flight tests of fifth-generation fighter T-50, developed by JSC "Company" Sukhoi "." According to the company, the fire was quickly extinguished and after repair machine will continue to fly. Cause of the accident could be a surge, which resulted in overheated to a dangerous temperature, the right engine. Anyway, two years ago a similar problem prevented the T-50 up in the air.

According to reports the Sukhoi Design Bureau, yesterday afternoon the company experienced pilot, Hero of Russia Sergei Bogdan made another test flight of the T-50.Being in the air, Mr. Bogdan apparently registered malfunction propulsion machinery and was forced to abort the test. According to eyewitnesses, already during landing fighter from the nozzle his right engine was smoke, and when T-50 stopped on the right wing appeared flame.

Sergei Bogdan safely left the burning car, and after a few minutes the fighter filled with foam pre-caused fire to the landing site. External injuries suffered as a result of a plane crash landing, fire extinguishing, were relatively small - flame burned out hole in the casing above the right engine and the fuselage in several places dirty soot.

As reported by the JSC "Company" Sukhoi "," victim plane will be restored, his trial will continue, and the incident occurred yesterday will not affect the previously approved schedule of putting the T-50 into operation.

At the same time a source familiar with the situation "b" in the Gromov Flight Research Institute, refusing to comment on the details, said that the effects of fire on board the fighter has yet to be thoroughly explored. The fact that the majority of T-elements 50 in contrast to previous generations of aircraft holds not metal, and composite materials, and as influenced by local overheating in the right engine supporting structure of the machine as a whole, it is difficult to say.

Fire, according to some experts, could be due to the surge of the right engine in flight - a traffic violation fuel-air mixture in the turbine, accompanied by open burning on the exhaust. Engine operation in this mode results in a sharp loss of its power, overheating and damage.

Recall that it was surging prevented the T-50 to make one of the missions in the air show MAKS-2011 - then still a fighter pilot during acceleration on the band saw escaping from the right nozzle flames, was forced to stop off and release the brake parachutes.As one of the possible reasons for the surge experts call malfunction automation T-50, is responsible for the dosing flow to the propulsion fuel.

Note that in the OKB Sukhoi already has a Technical Commission that will establish the exact cause of the incident.

Ъ-Газета - На новом истребителе — старые проблемы


@Abingdonboy @sancho - Your views pls

"Kommersant' is something like the tabloids. There was no such information in official media.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

"Kommersant' is something like the tabloids. There was no such information in official media.

True the same article is being published in Russia & India report

Russian Air Force to buy fewer PAK FA fighter aircraft | Russia & India Report

 

[Abingdonboy]

if this is what ruskies had offered DM for cancelling rafale deal then how about the chance of signing rafale and taking 40 T50s together?

Forget that, the Rafale and the Russian "offers" are mutually exclusive and the DM knows this (and if he doesn't then God help India). Nothing the Russians have offered or could offer are worth dropping the Rafale deal now- NOTHING.

I am sure budget is not a problem but possibly this may keep both sides happy and hopefully at least satisfied.

Budget isn't the issue but why should India throw money at the Russians just to "keep them happy"? Consistent delays, cost overruns and abysmal after-sales performance have demonstrated their commitment to India or lack thereof. India is their cash-cow, nothing more, no point in throwing good money after bad.

A side question, if russians order less, wont the price of jet per unit go up?

Of course but what else is new- show me one Russian product India has bought in the past two decades that has been delivered on budget.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Forget that, the Rafale and the Russian "offers" are mutually exclusive and the DM knows this (and if he doesn't then God help India). Nothing the Russians have offered or could offer are worth dropping the Rafale deal now- NOTHING.


Budget isn't the issue but why should India throw money at the Russians just to "keep them happy"? Consistent delays, cost overruns and abysmal after-sales performance have demonstrated their commitment to India or lack thereof. India is their cash-cow, nothing more, no point in throwing good money after bad.


Of course but what else is new- show me one Russian product India has bought in the past two decades that has been delivered on budget.

Then the most silliest of the question -
What stops DM Parrikar who is empowered by PM Modi to clear the rafale deal for signing or confirming when PM visits France?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Then the most silliest of the question -
What stops DM Parrikar who is empowered by PM Modi to clear the rafale deal for signing or confirming when PM visits France?

Because the current delays have NOTHING to do with the Russian offer, nothing at all. The deal is working at its own pace and the talks are progressing between HAL and Dassualt (which seems to have been all but completed now) on the liability issue. The deal will be signed within a few weeks that is all but certain but it won't be signed during Modi's visit- India doesn't sign defence deals like that.

 

[jarves]

Page no. 156.

 

[sancho]

Indeed a very valid point. if this is what ruskies had offered DM for cancelling rafale deal then how about the chance of signing rafale and taking 40 T50s together? I am sure budget is not a problem but possibly this may keep both sides happy and hopefully at least satisfied.

A side question, if russians order less, wont the price of jet per unit go up?

The Russians surely won't offer 40 Pak Fa alone, but in a combination with more upgrade MKIs, only the combo of NG techs and capabilities and the comfort of more than a decade of good experience with the MKI would make it interesting enough for the government to see it as an alternative procurement for (not as a direct alternatative to the MMRCA, since neither the weight class-, nor the industrial requirements of the tender can be met otherwise). So 40 x Pak Fa directly from Russia + additional upgraded MKIs above the 272 we have on order, would at least fill the hyped number gap and give us a technical edge over the adversaries.
I have stated this as as an option all the time, but that's more the worst case scenario or the back up plan and it's good to have such options, but at this point, with the industrial advantages of the deal in mind, the operational needs of IAF for a 2nd frontline fighter for the next 30 years and even Indias reputation on the line after so many years the tender is running, I highly doubt that the government can afford to go for more MKIs at least.
I still say, it MUST be one of the 2 shortlisted!

The offer of 40 x Pak Fa's is actually not new, Russian officials always wanted to sell some fighters from the Russian production lines to India too, but IAF rejected that so far and insisted on an own version that was developed according to their requiremens. The early Pak Fa is not acceptable for them, but I always said, that they should go for in in a leasing contract, once to shorten the time to set up the logistics and training, in preparation for FGFA, but also because China is developing fast and we can't affort to wait. Leasing Pak Fa's for 5 to 10 years then gives less risks for IAF, we neither have to pay the full cost of the fighter, now would we have to deal with later upgrades to implement everything from FGFA again.

However, the more worrysome part of the article is, that if true that Russia will go only for 12 early versions, the Ukraine crisis and the sanctions now seems to show the effects. And yes, the less they or we buy from the initially planned numbers, the higher the costs at the end. Difficult times are ahead of us!