Fun on the border, down Mexico way...

[ORAC]

Flight International - 9th May: Mexico selects Sukhoi SU-27 for strategic surveillance

The Mexican navy has selected Sukhoi's Su-27 over the Saab/BAE Systems Gripen to equip its first air defence unit.

Head of the service, Admiral Armando Sanchez Moreno, says the new fleet of 10 fighters will enable the navy to carry out "strategic surveillance" over key areas of Mexico's coastline.

Preliminary selection work was instituted in early 2005, and the navy is now entering into contract negotiations with Russia's Rosboronexport agency for the purchase of eight single seat Su-27s and two Su-27 two seat trainers.

Local sources indicate that the entire package - which also includes spare parts, tools and personnel training - is worth slightly over $410 million.

[SASless]

Perhaps they can do a surveillance of the US/Mexican border and assist in keeping Mexican Army units on their side of the border (and the odd million illegal immigrants as well).

[PPRuNeUser0211]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but surely there's a cheaper way to carry out "Strategic Surveillance"?.... perhapsw they really want to strategically observe then tactically blast out of the sky some drug running aircraft?

[Zoom]

Have to agree with you, pba. Has to be an ego thing, and how many times in how many Third World nations have we seen that?

[ScorchedSue]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but surely there's a cheaper way to carry out "Strategic Surveillance"?.... perhapsw they really want to strategically observe then tactically blast out of the sky some drug running aircraft?

Why would they want to blast drug runners out of the sky?

No one runs drugs INTO Mexico.

There is probably substantial money being made by folks in "high positions" when a successful drug runner gets through to the U.S. of A.

Having just spent a bunch of time in Yuma I can vouch that tensions are running high in that part of the world.