Go, Su-35!  Oh, wait....

 

"Brazil has shortlisted the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen NG for its F-X2 fighter competition, with a decision expected next year on its initial requirement for 36 aircraft to be delivered beginning in 2014. Not making the list are the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin Advanced F-16 and Sukhoi Su-35."

I vote the effect on our buy is nil:  They'll still buy something like 250 T-50/PAK-FA, and we'll still have 180 F-22 and still buy something like 2500 F-35.

 

Perhaps a block III Superhornet with Thrust vectoring could hang with the T-50??

 

I'm curious however, as to the T-50 'bare bones' part of this hypothetical cost, i.e. $60 million..

 

Sounds like the basic mod is perhaps export competition with F-35 being offered @ $55 million?  IMHO, it will come down to radar performance, communications, weapons load, reliability and maintenance requirements when ultimately comparing these two export mods.

 

I have to take interest to the sound of the modified Indian version, however.  Sounds very capable. 

 

Train hard, but keep those jets cool out there ladies and gents!

I will be impressed if the Indians produce a good plane over the next several years.

If they churn out anything like what the T-50 is being sold as I will be awestruck. 

 

Their avionics industry was/is a mess. I guess it must be getting better these days for such optimistic daydreams to appear on paper.

Though I suppose since Russia is more heavily involved in the job then when they just sent over technology and help it'll probably turn out ok. Not a better version then what the Russians are making though.

 

I'm not even sure the Russian one will be as good as they say, it might be able to match a F-18E/F, but a true intermediary between them and the F-22? The Americans are better at making planes these days.