This quote from an article by Dr Carlo Kopp in "Defence Today" Jan/Feb 2007 makes the recent decision to acquire Superhornets look a bit dodgy. -
"In conclusion, the Flanker in all current variants kinematically outclasses the Super Hornet in all high performance flight regimes.
The only near term advantage the latest Super Hornets have over legacy Flanker variants is in the APG-79 AESA and radar signature reduction features, an advantage which will not last long given highly active ongoing Russian development effort in these areas. The supercruising Al-41F engine will further widen the performance gap in favour of the Flanker. What this means is that post 2010 the Super Hornet is uncompetitive against advanced Flankers in BVR combat, as it is now uncompetitive in close combat".
Some of our near northern neighbours are acquiring Flankers.
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