Whats Russian up to?

"On Oct 18 2007 India and Russia signed a landmark Intergovernmental Agreement for the joint development and joint production of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), marking the beginning of cooperation in the development of state of the art new technology major weapon systems. The agreement was signed by the Secretary Defence Production Mr KP Singh and Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Foreign Military Cooperation Mr. Vyacheslav Dzirkaln in the presence of the Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony and his Russian counterpart Mr. Anatoly Serdyukov in Moscow today. The watershed agreement was signed at the conclusion of the Seventh Meeting of the India- Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation. Mr Antony and Mr Serdyukov also signed a Protocol which envisages a ‘new strategic relationship’ based on greater interaction at various operational levels.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the signing ceremony, Mr Antony said the two countries have agreed to strengthen and expand relations in all areas especially in the areas of joint exercises and greater cooperation in the field of Research and Development. Now the frequency and level of exercises will be higher, Mr. Antony said. He said talks with Russia have started to extend the Military Cooperation Agreement beyond 2010. The pact had been signed during the Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in 2000.
The Defence Minister described the Agreement on FGFA as a ‘major landmark’ and said that the Indo-Russian relationship is on a trajectory to reach new heights. He hoped that the two countries would soon sign an Intergovernmental Agreement on co-development and co-production of Multi-Role Transport Aircraft. Mr. Antony expressed satisfaction at the outcome of discussions on other important projects e.g., supply and licensed production of T-90 tanks, SU-30 MKI aircraft and other strategic issues. He admitted that there has been a delay in the delivery of the repaired and refurbished aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov along with supply of deck-based fighter aircraft MiG-29-K and said it was decided that some more studies by technical groups would be done to go through the details. He appreciated the efforts made by the Russian side to resolve issues relating to life cycle support of equipment of Russian origin.
On the question of Integrity Pact, he said, the objective is neither to create problems for anybody nor to favour anybody. What India wants is transparency in all defence purchases. In the past, there have been a lot of controversies. We want to avoid it. We want speedy modernisation but with transparency.Integrity Pact is one of the safeguards for transparency."

One question still lingering around if you look into Russian current inventory list there is no latest fighter aircraft around compared to western conterpart. Almost all new Russian fighter either a rebuilt or redesignates with new identification. As example Su-27 has been rebuilt, refitted with new avionic and altered design and coded as Su-30 or something else. Same to the Mig-29 Families of aircraft. If you looked to France there is a Rafale, if you looked into other European tri-nation collaboration there is Eurofighter "Typhoon" and Sweden with Saab Gripen and off course US F-22 Raptor. All now in service with the respected country.

Actually we have seen Russian prototype fighter SU-37 Berkut and Mig-1.42 (Above photo) in the making but none gone into full production. I'll think the best way for Russian will be collaboration with other country, like India or why don't they just copied other design like F-22 Raptor. Remember the famous AN-72 Coaler having a similar concept to the Boeing C-14. Russian will be left behind in stealth technology or similar technolgy or maybe the up to something behind the veil or are they? ...naah

Remember the Malaysian Cosmonaut that has been making headlines in their country, because the government concern regarding the redicule alleged tourist cosmonaut by certain quarters, the goverment taking step by asking Russian to gave official Cosmonaut title to him. For me whatever happen he still consider 'tourist', but the Cosmonaut title is stuck to him he still call Cosmonaut isn't it? ( The person who has been to space is call Astronaut or Cosmonaut- be it as tourist, commercial purpose or military).