Yak-130 & US-2.

This is coolbert:

Thanks to the tips from  Freeper we have these headlines:

1. "Bangladesh Buys Russian Combat Training Jets Worth $800M"

"MOSCOW --- Bangladesh ordered 24 Russian Yak-130 light fighter jets worth $800 million in the final quarter of last year, a Russian newspaper reported Tuesday."

. . . .

The Yak-130 is a lightweight subsonic trainer aircraft designed to mimic the cockpit and handling capabilities of Russia’s more advanced fighters.

Cost per airplane a cool $15 million!

"The Yakovlev Yak-130 (Mitten) is a subsonic two-seat advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft or lead-in fighter trainer . . . advanced training aircraft, the Yak-130 is able to replicate the characteristics of several 4+ generation fighters as well as the fifth-generation Sukhoi PAK FA. It can also perform light-attack and reconnaissance duties, carrying a combat load of 3,000 kg."

Nations small in size and perhaps too cash stricken, impecunious, nonetheless desiring or needing an air force with some capability, this Mitten is the way to go? A combined trainer aircraft that can "replicate" to an extent the performance of Fifth Generation warplanes AND has a limited combat capability means a big plus FOR THE COST!!

I might add that the "limited combat capability" in all likelihood more than adequate for a nation such as Bangladesh!

NOT a supersonic warplane but for a nation such as Bangladesh that should not be a concern. That cost a mere fraction of a Raptor, the Eurofighter or a French Rafaele! [$100 million per plane for any of those three!]

The Yak-130 also comparable to the South Korean [ROK] Golden Eagle with regard to all features? The response is favorable and cannot fail to impress!

2. "India close to buying Japan-made military aircraft in $1.65 billion deal"

This military aircraft in the initial stages of procurement the CIVILIAN version, an enhanced combat type to follow. A sea plane too. See beginning here my series of blog entries regarding military sea planes.

"New Delhi: India is set to become the first country since World War Two to buy a military aircraft from Japan, helping Prime Minister Shinzo Abe end a ban on weapons exports that has kept his country's defence contractors out of foreign markets. The two countries are in broad agreement on a deal for the ShinMaywa Industries amphibious aircraft"

"The ShinMaywa (formerly Shin Meiwa) US-2 is a Japanese large STOL amphibious aircraft designed for air-sea rescue (SAR) work. The US-2 is scheduled to replace the older ShinMaywa US-1"

The US-1 not having any [?] armaments and used for search and rescue. That US-2 to carry armaments, a much more robust air plane with combat capability?

From the Chinese perspective this particular arms deal between India and Japan cannot help but stimulate concern. Nations of the Asian sphere responding to what they perceive as the Chinese threat? Pacts, treaties and arms deals that create and enhance unwritten but tacit alliances?

coolbert.