Su-34 Frontline Bombers Proved Their Superior Operational Capabilities and Flight Per

[Erkki]

Hmm I am not completely sure it is untested in combat, rumors say they was used in 888.

[galland]

well, i guess a large portion of Russian aircraft are "unproven" in that they have not been involved in complex combat operations like most modern western air forces have so i guess thata a mute point, you cant get that type of experience inbedded into your armed services unless you go to war, and thats not something high on the agenda for Russia at the moment...

[kuma]

Give me an updated Mud Hen with the latest bells and whistles any day.. a more versatile and proven aircraft and can take better care of itself in the A2A environment.

[Naffenea]

Originally Posted by galland

well, i guess a large portion of Russian aircraft are "unproven" in that they have not been involved in complex combat operations like most modern western air forces have so i guess thata a mute point, you cant get that type of experience inbedded into your armed services unless you go to war, and thats not something high on the agenda for Russia at the moment...

Russian forces have had plenty of combat through the last 20 years. Not only Russia, but all the client states as well, from African countries throughout all of Asia and possibly South America. Their hardware has been proven (both good and bad) just as fine as western hardware.

[galland]

Originally Posted by Naffenea

Russian forces have had plenty of combat through the last 20 years. Not only Russia, but all the client states as well, from African countries throughout all of Asia and possibly South America. Their hardware has been proven (both good and bad) just as fine as western hardware.

some clarrification perhaps...

..i was referring soley to Russian aircraft and air crew and the type of combat experience thye have had in relation to western air forces and the type of missions they have been and are also currently involved in. Even over the past 20 years as you have suggested, nothing the Russians have done militarily over that time is comparable, therefore a adirect comparison between the two is a bit unfair becasue they are chalk and cheese really...(russia using a strategic bomber to undertake tactical reconnisance and being shot down during the georgian campaign springs to mind, a mission the west would probabaly entrust to a UAV..)

[Naffenea]

So you're saying that unless the Russians themselves engage in a DesertShield/Desert Storm, and OIF/OEF, that their equipment and methodology is "unproven"?

[galland]

no, just the type of warfare that they have been involved in, obviously it cannot compare with what the West has had to fight in over the past 20 years, it is mearly a observastion, not a form of criticism or a stick to beat the russians with...