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If I was in charge of the Indian procurement and weighed everyhting there are really only 2 contenders. The New Grippen with its loaded super cruise pus AESA. Or the F/A-18 E/F domestically produced. The F/A-18 offers carrier deployment and air force service so you kill two birds with one stone. With AESA and RAM is it a kick ass air dominance fighter, even if it is not a dog fighter or interceptor. Plus it is a damn good bomb truck. Building them in India teaches India how to make modern western aircraft.
With a few AESA equipped F/A-18's acting as armed AWACs and doing C3 duties for SU-30MKI's flying top cover for yet more Super Hornets doing penetration runs at either the PRC or Pakistan India has a near unbeatable edge in Southern Asia. Plus buying the Super Hornet opens up a pathway for the EF-18 Growler for improved SEAD capabilities and as ties increase possibly munitions like the JDM.
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