Gomig-21 Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:00 pm
GarryB wrote:The Su-35 is intended to counter HATO F-35s, so it would be the ideal tool for Egypt to hunt F-35s.
The F-15 on the other hand was never intended for hunting F-35s and would likely be rather unsuitable for the job...
It will be interesting to see if the EAF pursues the Su-57 at some point. I'm not sure about the veracity of the Algerian "rumor" is what I call it at this point, unless there was an official release by Russian MOD? But I haven't seen it only that they've asked for something like 14 IIRC?
At any rate, when you look at what Egypt has done with its very aggressive push to modernize practically the entire military forces and especially the EAF, they went out and bought 24 Rafales with intentions to at least purchase the option that came with that deal for 12 more which would make a total of 36. But they went even further and wanted to add up to 40 more (was the latest and highest number I read or saw) and obviously they've been very happy with that aircraft to take considerable pressure off of the F-16 fleet.
Then we saw them quite interested in the MiG-35 as a prominent delegation was seen at the MiG-35 unveiling and opening ceremony a few years ago which was quite unique and fun. We knew before that that they were interested in the new MiGs to replace all the old ones (all of them MiG-21s of some type) and they ended up settling on 46 MiG-29M/M2 or what I like to just call MiG-35 since that's essentially what they are with the Zhuk-ME instead of the Zhuk-AE AESA radar and I believe the only other difference is the target designator is not built-in as part of the cockpit avionics like it's supposed to eventually be in the MiG-35 and instead, the EAF MiGs have to carry the T-220 pod and use that to substitute for the designator and that's about it as far as I know regarding the differences between the official MiG-35 as mentioned on the brochure and the model the EAF bought 46 units of.
Then we've seen the Navy go out and buy close to 50 Kamov Ka-52 Alligators with intentions to purchase another 36 or so Ka-52K Katrans for the navy's mistral LHD/helicopter carrier. Huge deal right there between those two but I believe they've signed a tender for the Katrans and we'll have to wait and see how that develops.
Then we were all happily surprised when we heard they went out and signed a contract for 30 Su-35S'! Essentially the best fighter jet in Russia until the Su-57 gets going of course and that's pretty much a great segwey to the main point which is how much interest is there from the EAF towards the Su-57? So far we haven't heard any reports or mentions, but I think it's safe to say that there probably is tremendous interest and that interest has always been there for quite some time is my guess.
So the EAF has pretty much shifted its position of supply of aircraft which is no small order. Shifting pretty much completely away from the US and any future acquisitions of military fighter jets of any kind and to a limited, European market but mainly a complete Russian line of acquisition as we have seen in the above description of orders. The MiG-29M/M2/35 (which could always increase in numbers as the EAF seems to be VERY happy with that aircraft and we've seen it demonstrated in several ceremonies and even combat action near the Libyan border) and then 30 Su-35S jets and then what? Once the VVS completes its initial order of what, 78 aircraft and (I know they've increased that number recently) then will we see any official order from the EAF? Or even before that so they don't get too far behind other orders?
Very interested to see the level of interest the EAF has in the Su-57 and if we will see any push of any kind to order this aircraft?