MIGleader said:ok, we all know that the su-27s and j-11's are pieces of crap, especially in terms of bvr. what king of upgrades do you guys the plaaf should instal on its flankers to extend their service life? make em realistic(cost, how easy it is to intall...)
Su-27SK represents 1970's - 1980's Soviet technology. It's old, but not all your security needs require latest and best military hardware. Vietnam is known to operate 12 Su-27's and 4 Su-30MK2V's, plus numerous MiG-21's and Su-22's. Stationing a squadron of Su-27SK/J-11's in Yunnan would serve as effective deterrant and balance of power vs. Vietnamese AF.
The Russians do have a Su-27M upgrade package:
"Upgrading the Su-27
The Russian Air Force has currently received its first batch of upgraded Su-27s. The air force seems to have settled for the mid-life upgrade offered by KnAAPO which brings the aircraft up to Su-27SM standard. The Su-27SM is equipped with an upgraded fire control system including the improved N001V radar with phased array antenna, which offers improved performance and air-to-surface mode. The new system enables the use of the RVV-AE (R-77) medium range air-to-air missile and a wide selection of guided air-to-surface bombs and missiles. Another heavily updated feature is the cockpit, which is upgraded with three MFD, new HUD, satellite receiver and new communications set. The aircraft's self-defense suite has also been upgraded. A second phase of the upgrade will equip the aircraft with improved variants of the AL-31F. With the new fully digital flight control systems, the aircraft could in theory also be equipped with TVC variants.
The Russian Air Force plans to have the entire fleet upgraded to Su-27SM standard by 2008, but the number of aircraft to be upgraded remains unclear.
The two-seat aircraft will most likely be upgraded to Su-27UBM. Although IAPO offered such an upgrade demonstrated on the Su-30KN, it remains unclear whether the Russian Air Force has opted for this upgrade or plans to have KnAAPO update the two-seaters under a similar program as the Su-27SM.
The Su-27SM is based on earlier proposed upgrades for the Su-27SK export version. China was seen as the premier customer for an upgrade package. The Su-27SMK as it is designated has seen two attempts, with at the basis a different radar system (N001M and N001VEP respectively). However China seems to concentrate on Su-30MKK and upgraded derivatives first and other export customers are also concentrating on expanding their Flanker fleets with newer variants, is most cases preferring two-seat Su-30MK derivatives."