The End of MiGs?
- Thread starter Feanor
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)Generalissimo
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Yes MiG doesn't have a bright future. They've been behind the curve in terms of aircraft development, losing out to Sukhoi. Also, the end of the Cold War has hit them hard. Nation that would have had to buy MiG because they were Soviet-aligned are now free to pick Western planes. Think of all the countries that would be flying MiGs instead of F-16s if the Cold War was still going. Mikoyan has a helicopter division right? That would be an excellent place to put resources, they market for helicopters in always expanding.
I think theres a political decision behind many flanker successes within Russia. IF i'm not mistaken 1 of the sukhoi OKB founders is in Russian Military board. He makes vital decisions on planes IIRC.
Btw I think Mig competing for the MFI program was a big mistake, as they drained vital resources n time on a project that looked to be going to Sukhoi even b4 the competition started.
I belive Mig should have taken the risk of beuilding a single engines Canard Delta plane which is 5th Generation stealth airframe which is cheaper than Pak Fa. And then dangle the plane in front of the RuAF trying to purchase sizeable but more costly Pak Fa. Eventually i belive the Russian gov would split the orders between Pak Fa n the Mig plane to keep the cost down but maintain a sizeable air force.
Also I believe theres a contract for mordenizing the Mig31BM for RuAF. Hopefully that will help them.
Btw I think Mig competing for the MFI program was a big mistake, as they drained vital resources n time on a project that looked to be going to Sukhoi even b4 the competition started.
I belive Mig should have taken the risk of beuilding a single engines Canard Delta plane which is 5th Generation stealth airframe which is cheaper than Pak Fa. And then dangle the plane in front of the RuAF trying to purchase sizeable but more costly Pak Fa. Eventually i belive the Russian gov would split the orders between Pak Fa n the Mig plane to keep the cost down but maintain a sizeable air force.
Also I believe theres a contract for mordenizing the Mig31BM for RuAF. Hopefully that will help them.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #24
I think there will be a need for a long range interceptor like the MiG-31 for patrolling the Far East and Siberian air space. If MiG could design a 5th generation successor it would definetly find a place within the Russian airforce. What do you guys think?
On a related note the idea of a one engine plane was taken up by Yakovlev, and as result they lost out the LFI contest entirely, without even getting consideration.
On a related note the idea of a one engine plane was taken up by Yakovlev, and as result they lost out the LFI contest entirely, without even getting consideration.
1 question regarding the yakovlev entry, is russia gonna take up a fighter project by Yakovlev seriously considering they have always been built by SUkhoi n Mikoyan? Plus I believe SUkhoi is using its political influence to determine russian purchases.
Investing in a big project like a successor to Mig31 is very risky if russia is not gonna buy it, coz it is costly, plus if russia is not gonna buy it, there wont be an international market to fall back upon.
Investing in a big project like a successor to Mig31 is very risky if russia is not gonna buy it, coz it is costly, plus if russia is not gonna buy it, there wont be an international market to fall back upon.
Not always. Yakovlev & Tupolev were building fighters (or at least, interceptors) until the 1960s. Yakovlev built tactical strike aircraft in the same time frame, & recce & EW versions remained in service until the 1980s, IIRC.
I do not think that you guys have to worry about Mig being put out of business, Russian government will keep them afloat because this would give Sukhoi too much leverage and influence on what Russia purchases for future procurements, having two companies does keep things a little more honest and makes them willing to go the extra mile to appease the government. This could also be said about U.S companies.
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- #28
I really don't see any help given to MiG. They don't currently produce, and don't currently plan to produce, any fighter jets that Russia will purchase.
As for Yakovlev, they built the carrier based Yak-38 fighters. So presumably they have the basic know-how.
As for Yakovlev, they built the carrier based Yak-38 fighters. So presumably they have the basic know-how.
i dont see any help given to Mig, otherwise they would have won the carrier fighter choice for Russia. Seeing that Mig is the more sensible fighter for russia's kutznetsov. It offered strike capability IIRC and more planes could be carried by the carrier.
Also by not producing anyhting new, and just keeping the company afloat, the company risks brain drain and loosing its R&D capability which will hinder its competetiveness in future.
Also by not producing anyhting new, and just keeping the company afloat, the company risks brain drain and loosing its R&D capability which will hinder its competetiveness in future.