what happened to the be-103 deal?

bd popeye said:

Was the deal ever finalized? (I can't find any links saying so.) If so when can we China watchers expect to see them delivered? Great purchase by the PLA if true! Hope the Russians supply plenty of spare parts and training for the PLA's sake....

be-200
[qimg]http://www.irkut.com/common/img/uploaded/be-200_18.jpg[/qimg]

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Forgetting the IP crap...

The deal was supposed to signed by Rosobornexport in the fall of this year. so the deal has not been finalized yet. I expect ti to go through without a hitch, as this seems more like a chinese "gift" to russia rather than a serious purchase.

I would expect all the be-103s and be-200s to be operated by China-United airlines, keeping them "civilian"

ff ff ff

Popeye, I read that you're one the mods. I'd like to ask you an off-topic question: For what purpose do you trace other's IP?

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Ahem..
1) I'm a mod..I can do that...
2) Tphuang mentioned to me that he was going to the PRC..I was just checking because I was not sure when....
3) Read what Golly posted.
4) Checking IP's is a way to look for trolls and other banned members.
5) I like to know where people really are located.

We need not to worry about this subject. It is far from perfect but works for us.

Let's get back to the Be-103. Ok.

Be-103 looks like great little plain for coast guard duties (anti smuggling patrols, fishing zone patrols, SAR etc.), and they could base some in Spratly islands( it would be great for supplying small outposts, surveillance duties, local military personnel transfers)…
It would definitely make great replacement for good old Y-5 in coastal areas and to take some burden from helicopter fleet…

Be-103s are small. Will they be able to transport anything that's not in bags? The point about coast guard duties, I agree with that though. They'll probably be scout and patroling planes like the US coast guard's Falcons.

As for ASW roles, the Be-103 definitely cannot do this, and I have doubts for the 200. Why use such a spacious and valued plane?

bd popeye said:

Nope..because the P-3 is constanly being updated like most USN gear.

That purchase is good news for the PLA though. A step in the right direction.

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interesting. I personally think this will replace SH-5 in plan, but the need for better sonars on destroyers is still there. The need for more ASW helicopter is still there. So yeah, a step in the right direction, but still a long way to go.

bd popeye said:

Nope..because the P-3 is constanly being updated like most USN gear.

That purchase is good news for the PLA though. A step in the right direction.

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I dont think you read typhuangs post clearly...he asked how the be-200 compared, not if it was comparable.

IMO, we dont know enough. All we know are id the name of the be-200s radar, not even any stats. We can rest assured its not as good as the p-3, but is still very capable.