An Indian Air Force SU-30K Flanker lands here following a simulated combat mission with U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, in 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown
Forbes: India Is Buying The Wrong Warplanes For Fighting China
The Indian Air Force needs new fighters. It needed them pretty badly before the current conflict with China over a stretch of the Himalayas that both countries claim. Now it needs them even worse.
On Monday, Chinese forces killed 20 Indian soldiers in a skirmish along the disputed India-China border running through the towering mountain range. Forty-three Chinese soldiers also were injured or died, according to press reports.
So it should come as no surprise that India this week reportedly placed a $780 million order with Russia for 33 fighters, enough to equip or reequip two squadrons. What’s weird is which fighter types New Delhi reportedly is buying.
The Indian order includes 21 MiG-29s and 12 Su-30s, according to press reports. But one aviation expert believes the Sukhois in particular are a poor fit for mountain patrols.
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WNU Editor: India's request for Russian warplanes is not a surprise. India's air force is use to handling Russian warplanes. They also need planes now, which I am sure Russia will deliver quickly. Maybe the other warplanes will be more suitable for India in its conflict with China, but I suspect that there is a time lag before India gets them, and that time lag is probably unacceptable in view of the current situation.
