The defencetalk.com is published the information from RIA Novosti (on April, 12). In it by lips Zelin general, Russian Air Force The commander-in-chief is informed, that the Russian Air Force refuse of development the PAK FA 5th generation fighter program. But this news is not present in the Russian version RIA Novosti. What is?

 

There is this article here.

 

Russia's next-generation fighter project cancelled

 MOSCOW, April 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russian air force commander-in-chief Aleksandr Zelin has announced the cancellation of the -billion PAK-FA program after 20 years of escalating costs, technological glitches and redesigns failed to produce a single prototype aircraft.

 The PAK-FA, once billed as Russia's next-generation fighter, had consumed .9-billion. The estimated cost of each aircraft had soared to .2-million from an original target of -million.

 " It's had a long and troubled history, " said Alexei Arbatov, a senior Duma official who heads the lower house committee for defense.

 The PAK-FA, a new generation fighter aircraft concept, was designed to be comparable to both the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and has been overtaken by the need to strengthen Russia's strategic nuclear forces.

 Acknowledging that the PAK-FA no longer fit into the requirements of Russia, the Air Force said it would rather spend the money on an overhaul of its aviation system. If approved by the Federal Assembly, the funds would be directed instead to buy over 400 additional SU-34, SU-35 and other aircraft and to upgrade and modernize 1,400 aircraft already in service. Surface-to-air missiles also would be a priority.

 " It's about having an effective deterrent force, " said Air Force Colonel General Alexander Zelin. " It's a big decision. We know it's a big decision, but it's the right decision."

 The end of the PAK-FA also reflects an acknowledgement by the Ministry of Defence that it simply cannot afford all the programs it wants. The move underscores the fact that the Ministry of Defence must begin economizing as the cost of new weapon systems increase and demands on military spending grow, industry analysts said.

 The Air Force would have spent -billion on the PAK-FA program through 2012 without getting aircraft significantly more capable than the upgraded SU-35 it already plans to buy, Air Force officials said.

 Some officials of the State Duma reacted angrily to the cancellation.

 " I am outraged by the decision to terminate the PAK-FA program given that the Air Force has long argued that it is a critical weapons system that plays a pivotal role in our defence, " said State Duma deputy Vladimir Medinsky. " What has changed? And how does the military plan to make up for the lost capabilities? "

 Alexei Arbatov, Deputy Chairman of the Defence Committee of the State Duma, said the decision " reflects the difficulty that the services are facing with the cost of modernization requirements now coming to the fore."

 The cancellation was a blow to the PAK-FA's prime contractors, Sukhoi and NPO Saturn.

 A senior Duma official said the Ministry of Defense expects to have to pay a 0-million to 0-million termination fee to Sukhoi and NPO Saturn.

 The program's elimination, however, could benefit the two companies. The Air Force now plans to pour more money into the SU-34 and SU-35, and ramp up the upgrade of aircraft already in service which would keep both companies busy for the foreseeable future.

 

 

Is not that so, interestingly?

 

What does it mean?

 

After April, 12th in the Russian news agencies and military sites have been published many materials about PAK FA to the program. It was informed, that in Russia there will be no other the fifth generation program, PAK FA only. The light fighter is not developed, and works are conducted on PAK FA only. The programme was a part of the State program on purchase of arms, and is financed on a regular basis. The engine of the 5th generation will be created in 2015, and before PAK FA will fly on considerably modernized variant of AL-31F engine - «117S». The pre-production model of a fighter will make the first flight in 2009, that some pre-production models are under construction in Gagarin named КnAAPO (the largest aviation factory in the Russia Far East). All goes under the plan, all is realized under the schedule, and here such deafening news: Аlexander Zelin the commander-in-chief of the Air Forces has opposed programs sharply, and has named the decision on cessation of work on PAK FA «greater and correct». Where the truth?

 

But, probably, PAK FA the research and developmental program will be finished. Probably, the skilled fighter will rise in air.

 

What further? It is necessary to recognize at once, that the Air Forces of Russia can buy only scanty quantity of these newest planes. The country can buy only 30-40 planes. For this time (till 2020) 30-40 Su-34 front bombers will be bought only, and Su-35 4 ++ generation fighter will be directed on export. The basic park of the Air Forces in the form of Su-27 and МiG-29 will fly with «mechanical avionics» and become outdated radars while the Air Forces of the leading countries practically completely will pass to «glass cabins» and AESA-radars. And all this huge backlog for the sake of several tens PAK FA? In fact, on Russian saying, «one swallow does not do spring».

 

It is necessary to recognize, that the program of modernization of the Russian Air Force, since 90th years of the last century, it has been focused on false priorities. Uncertainty with a fighter of the fifth generation has rejected the Russian Air Force in the category of the countries having out-of-date park of military aircraft. Modern warplanes, such as Su-30МК, МКК, МКI, equipped modern аvionics, the equipment and arms, have flown by the Russian Air Force. The tactical aircraft of China and India under qualitative characteristics has surpassed already the Russian Air Forces. The МiG-29 fleet in the technical plan has remained at a level of the end 80-years. Thus, it is necessary to recognize, that the Russian Air Force do not meet already modern requirements.

 

The 5th generation

 

Development PAK FA reminds absurdity with development Bulava SLBM. Certain lobbyists have intercepted creation of new generation SLBM from those who was engaged in it many years. The result - a missile cannot fly, and even if will fly up, its characteristics any more do not meet modern requirements. SLBM in weight 38 т with range of 8000 km, with a maximum quantity of in three warheads concedes even to French M-5 SLBM in weight 50 т, range of 10000 km and six warheads, let alone 57-ton American and English Тrident-2.

 

Other example. MiG ОКB has been expelled from the 5th generation fighter program creation. Intrigues have led to that 10 years have been spent silly. Sukhoi OKB the program has received. Possibly, multi-billion profits on export sales Su-27 have helped with this business and Su-30. At that time now retired Viktor Mikhailov commander-in-chief the Air Force sat in an armchair of chairman of board of directors of Sukhoi holding.

 

Already late

 

Russia should be guided by creation for the Air Force light «digital» fighter with wide export capabilities, and this program could execute MiG RSK. Unfortunately, it could not brag from greater financial actives from export sale MiG-29 which could proceed «food» for officials from the Ministry of Defence.

 

But Sukhoi corporation too it could be reoriented on creation of an light fighter with up-to-date аvionics, AESA-radar and stealth technology, but has preferred to make by old tradition the BIG and MAJESTIC aircraft to allow «prikurit» (it is Russian idioma, that means - «we are not worse») American F-22. Could not understand what to compete with US it is already unreal, and it was clear for a long time, but only not to mister Pogosyan - chapter Sukhoi corpotation.

 

         Projects of the Russian light fighters are already realized in China (J-10 with AL-31FN and JF-17 engine with RD-93 engine), in Iran, design «Vityaz-2000» (2000 Knights) are developed.

 

The PAK FA development should be finished. Where to find money for modernization of hundreds МiG-29 and Su-27 - the base of the Russian tactical Air fleet? What, they will fly also with out-of-date electronics?

 

Where the decision of this problem?

 

Leonid NIKOLAEV,

April, 17, 2008.    

 

Photo – Alexander Zelin

http://blogs.gorod-saratov.ru/index.php?st=2145