Quote:
Originally Posted by Adux
This is a patnership offer, If the fineprint is favourable, this is more than a favourable offer, We still buy a western fighter with growth potentials, which I am not so sure about Rafale(though my favorite) and MiG-35(If we buy it, then we have a 100% Ruskie Airforce, One should not give that kind of leverage to one single country...strategically speaking).. F-16(Not interested)
F/A-18 E/F(though a economical, its American and they very small fine print), Our people wont agree with that. Gripen is too close to Tejas - LCA ..
Eurofighter looks good in my opinion.
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Rafale is my Favourite too but its damn too costly, besides add the cost for Spare parts,training etc. Cost Per Plane then takes astronomical proportions.
F-16, am not interested either.
The best bet would be F/A-18 E/F, if we can go through some very fine prints.With AESA probably coming as TOT, F/A-18 E/F would nicely fill the gaps between LCA and Sukhois 30MKI.
Also Mig's are no bad. Whats the harm anyway. Remember IAF is already operating Mirage2000, Mig21Bisons,Sukhois 30MKI, Jaguar and whole host of other planes. The more variety of planes you add, the more you would have to pay as proportion of Support Costs/spare parts etc.
Best bet is to have
F/A-18 E/F: 60
Rafale: 40
Mig35: 26
License produce about 140 Sukhois 30MKI's quickly.
This will be sufficient for 2015. By this time Pak-FA would be available.