NRao,
both MoD and IAF were slow to process russian request for JV. So russians kept going while we were doing normal chai biscuit stuff. And finally when we signed the deal with Russians they have already made a lot of progress. Now some people in our establishment are making fuss about India's role, share etc...
In short its our own ways of doing things that we have to blame for ending in this situation.
I will post the story of this 5th generation fighter again:
1) It was offered to india in June 2001. Remember at this point in time
Sukhoi wasn't officially chosen over Mig for a 5th gen. project.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010819/world.htm#2
The Russian firm is now keen to involve HAL and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the fifth generation fighter project, defence sources said.
The project will use technology from the S-37 Berkut, according to the sources. The project is reported to have been discussed in detail when Defence Minister Jaswant Singh visited Russia in June.
2) Sometime in Early 2002 Russia chose Sukhoi to develop PAK-FA over Mig.
http://www.defenseworld.net/Maks2005/maks2005.asp?id=18
Sukhoi won a government tender to develop the fighter in 2002, beating rival MiG.
Source: May 22nd, 2002, Jane's Defence Weekly
Sukhoi is expected before year-end to submit a schedule of work on the PAK FA project to a government committee. A more advanced draft of the PAK FA requirement should be ready before the end of 2003, "and then the decision will be taken concerning further work", said Gen Kolyadin."
NOTE: At this point in time Sukhoi didn't even have a final draft of its requirements. According to the russian general quoted above the requirements draft was not to be ready before 2003 end. And at Aero india 03 India was again offered the deal.
3) At Aero India 03, India was again offered participation
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/20030 ... 1489.shtml
"They have given a proposal but we have asked them to give more details. We will then examine, We have not made up anything in our mind," Chairman and Managing Director of the public sector of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited N.R.Mohanty said in Bangalore.
Mohanty said such a project requires a lot of funds, adding that Russians have proposed to jointly design, develop and eventually produce by sharing costs.
He said he has also spoken to Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes in this regard, but clarified that no decision has been taken regarding Indian participation in the project.
4) Since then they have been negotiating GOI style.
As of 2005 the negotiations were going on.
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=60332
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Russia had proposed joint development and manufacture of fifth generation fighter aircraft.
"Talks have been held between India and Russia in this regard. The discussions are at a preliminary stage," he said adding no time limit for taking a decision in the regard could be indicated.
In 2007 report in Lok Sabha some one from Mod clarified that IAF was still preparing FGFA requirements.