Russian military to buy 50 fifth-generation fighters after 2016

[Kshasty]

Russia's Defense Ministry will order at least 50 fifth-generation fighters from 2016, a senior official said on Thursday.

"At the first stage, there will be dozens of planes, more than 50," said Vladimir Popovkin, deputy defense minister for arms procurement.

He was on hand as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin observed the test flight of a prototype fighter and later talked to the pilot, Sergei Bogdan, who said it was the fighter's 16th test flight and more would follow shortly.

Popovkin said that based on the outcome of initial tests, the Defense Ministry would purchase the first six to 10 aircraft after 2012.

He said the fighter will be superior to U.S. analogs.

http://www.en.rian.ru/russia/20100617/159464671.html

[charlie and algernon]

1. the arms race continues

So now expect the US to accelerate THEIR latest and greatest fighter prototype. The Cold War has been over for 20 years and the arms race with the Russians continues on... :-(

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. A joint building program with India who get the first planes

The cost $100 million each more on the plane at the link








http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_PAK_FA

[unhappycamper]

3. Well, we have $66+ billion F-22s.

A whole 187 of them that have corrosion and water troubles.