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Russian Air Force industry dieing?
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| metalgearsolid |
WARPLANES: Why the Russian Warplane Industry is Doomed
Russia is about to be forced out of the jet fighter business. First, the end of the Cold War crippled Russia's military aviation industry. When the Soviet Union disappeared in 1991, so did orders for new Russian aircraft. Only in the last few years has the Russian air force begun buying aircraft again. The parts of the Soviet Union that split off to form new countries are still not buying or, if they are, they are looking at American aircraft as well. The Soviet Union had allies (called, more accurately, "satellites") in Eastern Europe that bought all of their warplanes from the Soviet Union. Those countries are now buying from American and European manufacturers. The lack of orders didn't stop development of new aircraft, but it slowed it down. Now, with the United States ready to mass produce it's next generation of warplanes (the F-22 and F-35), Russia is still mucking about with prototypes of their "fifth generation" aircraft.
Russia has been keeping it's military aircraft industry alive since 1991 with export sales. Most of the sales have been to India and China. The profits have kept research and development going, but only at a minimal level. The Russians estimate that it will cost $20 billion to complete development of aircraft competitive with the F-22 and F-35. Even at that, the Russians see themselves as 10-15 years behind the United States.
China might be willing to come up with that needed money to develop competition for the F-22 and F-35, but the Chinese are also taking a hard look at air warfare and the role of high performance aircraft. To the Chinese, spending money on better aircraft radars and air-to-air missiles might be a more effective way to deal with the F-22 and F-35. Even if China and Russia spend the money and effort to develop comparable aircraft, this will have to include high performance missiles, radars, other sensors and all manner of electronics. Moreover, the Americans have achieved their domination of the air by developing a new air warfare system, which includes AWACS airborne control aircraft, lots of specialized software and intense (and expensive) training for the aircraft crews. There's more to air superiority than having the most modern aircraft.
Another major threat to Russian aircraft sales are the increasing number of used American warplanes coming on to the market. As the U.S. begins producing F-22s and F-35s in the next few years, more used F-16s, F-15s and F-18s will appear on the market. These aircraft are sold at bargain prices, and with proper maintenance, they have over a decade of service left in them. Moreover, American aircraft have a good reputation for effectiveness in combat, and good technical support from their manufacturers. The Russians don't score nearly as well in these two areas.
So, for the moment, unless the United States is willing to sell you F-22s and F-35s, and you can afford to buy them and keep the crews trained, you are a second or third rate air power. There's no other source of all the components needed to seriously threaten American domination of wartime air space. And it looks like the only other major manufacturer of modern warplanes will slide into oblivion.
So what do you guys think? |
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| Purple |
| Ya everyone is buying US weapons nowdays. And US knows how to create market for it. |
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| psychosomatica |
| China should be developing their own weapon systems... they already are with their ships and partially subs i think.. why not air? |
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| Moongoose |
Leaving out the F-35 which is still at least half a dozen years away from active duty, the F-22 isnt doing so great either. With the number of F-22s ordered being less that third of what was initialy expected the bulk of the US air force (and most other US allied countries, since i doubt that the F-22 will be offered outside of the US any time soon) will still be made out of last generation aircraft, and there is when the russians come in.
With the running cost of their aircraft being much lower than that of the US it presents a nice choice for those nations that want an efective air force but arent willing to bancrupt themselves doing so. And an efective airforce it will be. The MiG-29 or the Su-27 might be old but that doesnt mean that they arent the match for the F-14s/15s/16s/18s out there. The MiG-29 and especial the Su-27 are still one of the most agile aircraft in service to day military or civilian (considering the size of the Su-27 that is quite an accomplishement) managing manouvers that the western planes are capable of executing only now, 20 years later (Pugachevs Cobra) with the help of thrust vectoring.
Also china is developing its own aircraft. Although they are currently flying the Shenyang J-11s (rebadged Su-27s basicly, since its doubtfull that US would be willing to sell its aircraft to china its an obvious choice really) Jane`s have reported on the development of the J-XX, the next gen stealth fighter comparable to the F-22. |
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| BiG-_BoSS |
Russia will have a strong air force just give it time. With oil prices going up and we have a lot of undiscovered reserves in siberia we will be a powerhouse with our oil since their is no end to high oil costs.
In short, we will have a stronger air force than now it might not be as strong as the US but it will without a doubt be a force to fear. |
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| Moongoose |
| If he enjoys great beer, wine and food he might nrver leave :D |
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| BiG-_BoSS |
| quote: | Originally posted by Moongoose
If he enjoys great beer, wine and food he might nrver leave :D |
Great beer yes great food? HELL NO! |
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