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If IAF had that much independence to just buy something they might have had done so in 2000. Seems like the Bureaucrats and ministers make a major part of the decision.
That article is from 2005,
Right now the French have got tired of waiting for India to make up her mind and they are offering the Rafale, no more Mirage-2000, guess indian government should have let IAF go for the 126 mirage-2000 back in 2000-2002, now its too late, line is closed.
The Gripen is now a new Super Gripen.
The Russians are trying with a MiG-29 called the MiG-35.
USA still has the F-16 and F-18 to sell.
A new contender, the Eurofighter Typhoon is in the race.
And the situation has changed, the MMRCA will come online around the same time as the LCA, India has a dedicated vision for the next generation of fighter aircraft. I think the InAF will have different requirements now.
You are right does not make much sense to go with Typhoon or Rafale both are very expensive, F-16 and F-18 are from USA rather new to the IAF and the indian political and military establishment seems to be very sensitive about the type of contracts one has to sign to get US equipment, a customised MIG-35 will just make it almost a russian AF, Gripen will have the same disadvantage as the F-16 & F-18.
Its anyones guess right now.
Let us wait till the next central elections, they will play a very important role.
What chances of the whole compitition being scrapped off? I think the InAF will not let that happen.
Boy the InAF must be kicking itself, they could have had a deal for 126 Mirage-2000s between 2000-2005 if the government had supported them.
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cheers
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