Has it been rejected by the Indians? I would imagine it would have made news...
Vietnam needs light/medium multirole fighter for point defence, so Su-30/35 are not suitable. Personally, I prefer JAS-39C/D or F-16C/D Block 52 for MiG-21 replacement. But some political reasons...
There's also the issue of logistics, interoperability on a technological level, munitions, etc.
I brought this thing up in the IAF thread and also had discussions on it in other forums and most people think that the Fulcrum's absence at the Aero India means its out.
Mil Mi-24 already out of service. Eurocopters acttually belong to Ministry of National Defense, but are used for civil services (in case of war...).
So the VPAF replaces the role of Mi-24 by Mi-17x and Mi-8 in some cases?? I think to get some Mi-24s remains is not too bad, what are the reasons??
Vietnam's main concern with regards to China are clashes errupting over the disputed Sratleys, not a full scale high intensity war, which Vietnam cannot win.
That's why I think in order for Vietnam to win a full scale high intensity war against China or at least try to prevent China from ever thinking about launching one against Vietnam, a strong deterrent airforce and anti-aircraft missile systems are the must-have. :duel Right now, China's modern aircraft fleet outnumbered Vietnam like 30 to 1; Vietnam also does not have many missiles to intercept cruise missiles either.
) why do you know that we hasn't gone, we have planned and just wait, maybe not just only S300PMU , our current S300, who know they have upgraded or not )How can Vietnam protect her interest against China when the military of Vietnam is so weak?
I don't appreciate the idea of having too much, just having enough weapons to deter the enemy. Every plan to mordenize the army has to base on economical, polictical and strategical conditions.
Vietnam doesn't need to have much much much weapons, we can't race with China, everyone knows that. And a full-scale war is a disaster for us, making another war is a crime. The best is that we can protect our interests without provoking a war and the determination of that is not base on the amount of weapons but the mind, the thinking and the best strategy.
Having the most modern weapons but with suitable amount, that's good at this time.
Erm... has it occurred to you that perhaps China doesn't want to attack Vietnam (or any other neighbouring countries)?10 batteries of PMU2 and 1000 of its missiles are nice but it's not enough to contest air superiority against someone like China who has hundred of modern fighters and load of standoff cruise missiles. The Chinese can launch stand off cruise missiles at the S-300 or even S-400 (if we get them in the future) and air bases of Vietnam so the anti-aircraft missile systems will have their hands full trying to defend themselves and the airbases. The Chinese can add to the equation by launching fighters to attack the S-300 missile sites that's why S-300 is not enough to contest air superiority of China. Vietnam also needs more fighters to intercept these Chinese fighters but at the moment the gap between two countries is so big like 30 to 1 in favor of China
Spratly belongs to Philippines, a nearest distance to the coastline of Philippines.
This brought a smile to my face...
right, soon happen a clash at Spratlys, they clashed once in 1980s year.