"I can assure you that the chances of sukhoi getting into the RAAF might get the likes of APA revved up - but there is a snowballs chance in hell of that happening."
I agree. Any Australian politician (with more than half a brain) would never even consider acquiring any Russian fighter jets let alone technology.
The reasons for this a are simple:
1. Australia is not in a financial position to compete with it's neighbours in terms of size. Thus it can only compete in capabilities.
2. In times of war, Russia would be more inclined to supplying it's larger Asian clients with spare parts and armaments etc.
3. This would not make for stable relations with our US and British allies, both of which have poor relations with Russia.
4. Australian and US joint operations would suffer as Sukhoi technology is not compatable with that of American technology. Furthermore, Russia, knowing Australia's - to put it bluntly - servile nature, would not intimate these technologies.
