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Originally Posted by Tin Man
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.
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Super Cruise has its uses, Grippens doing a deep penetration run at super cruise are super sonic inbounds cutting down the time and range the Pakistani F-16's have to react.
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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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Plus side- It is faster than the F/A-18, faster than any contender over a long range. Has better radar than anything but the F/A-18, in fact even the older Gripen radar is based on the same system that led to the Captor. Is not likely to be subject to political restraints. Nearby friendly governments use it in case of a general SE Asia war (Thailand), More agile than anything being offered but the Mig-35. NATO standard compatible so it can use western munitions without western (US or EU) political restrictions.The Swedes build good planes, low operating cost, Mig like- short and unimproved field capability (800m take off and landing). Multiple users means even if India needs a spare and Sweden doesn't have one handy right away- another nation might have one to sell/lend. Multiple user countries with no immediate 5th gen replacement planned means the production lines will be open for years yet to come.
Minus side- single engined, light payload compared to some entrants, unsure about any LO features although its small size probably means something.