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Originally Posted by zraver
For pure performance out side of air show maneuvers the Grippen beats them all. It can super cruise with a useful military load, and has AESA. Something no twin engined bird in the contest can do.
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Won`t the Boeing offering come with AESA? Is supercruise a necessity for IAF? Supercruise actually shrinks your range as opposed to transit at subsonic/transonic speeds, limiting time on station. It has other advantages and disadvantages, the IAF will have to weigh that.
Both are debatable, as is superiority of the Gripen in this competition. Everybody has their favourites, each contender has its pro`s and con`s. The Gripen may well provide the best bang for the Rupee, but I must consult the rules of the acquisition, to see if there actually is an insistence on two engines.
Why do you think the Gripen has the other aircraft beat, I don`t agree at first glance? Today, maybe. Don`t forget, by the time the MRCA aircraft reach the squadrons, they will all be more mature.
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Originally Posted by zraver
Look how the Eurofighter is being built. India will probably get stuck with some bogus production that doesn't really do anythign for India long term. Boeing is offering domestic production. That is a bit of a shield against sanctions as airframe parts can be made on site even if things like RAM is cut off. Such as the US using what ever leverage it can to stop an Indo-Pakistani war. Indoa also has some of the worlds best computer geeks and scientist so unlike say iran or Pakistan the break down of a US supplied fleet would not happen very quick.
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We don`t know enough of the details of this supposed EUROFIGHTER CON`, deal to visualize the repercussions or benefits for India. I say hear them out, if it doesn`t benefit India, it will be apparent to us all.
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Originally Posted by zraver
Can India risk China-pakistan alone for the next 30 years until she catches up?
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No matter whom India acquires weapons from, the same risks apply, leaders and policy change. I can envisage two or three scenarios where India could be disadvantaged, no matter what direction a new air force comes from.
If I were the Indian PM, I would source from different blocs, feed all of the Alligators, an economy with India`s potential will not run out of food for them.
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Originally Posted by zraver
Pakistan is a client, never an ally not anymore. India is a trillion dollar economy and unless she does something stupid like gunning down a thousand or so democracy protester like China did in 89 sanctions won't be an issue.
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Client or ally, that position usually leaves yourself open to pressure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zraver
Domestic production is the key here. A lot of stuff will be made on site, or can be made on site in a pinch.
With Russia cozy to China using a Russian built fleet for all the most critical airframes is dangerous. I don't think India is going to see a single PAK-FA any more than she will see her carrier. Arming India with either forces a Chinese respocne and that means China can also use against Russia.
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I agree, it is the direction India want to take, autonomy. A mixed inventory is attractive for political as well as practical reasons, but I still see the Rafale and the Typhoon as systems very able to fill this role as well as the S/H or MIG variants. The area where they hurt in is range, but they all do compared to the MIG.