March 30, 2004 at 6:49 pm
perhaps Neutral isn’t the best word.. but during the Cold War we often did see airforces that would procure aircraft from two different sources, even though the aircraft were in similar categories.. in order to appear neutral or to balance out political interests/needs..
for example
Finland: MiG-21 and Draken
India: Jaguar and MiG-27, Mirage 2000 and MiG-29, etc..
Today it seems that some of those who were “neutral” have decided to go one way or the other.. such as Finland preferring more western types now..
although there is still India.. and now Malaysia with MiG-29 and F-18..and soon, F-18E and Su-30 MKM..
then you had some that balanced US with Western EUropean designs.. like
Greece: Mirage F-1 and F-4, Mirage 2000 and F-16, etc
can anyone think of anymore countries?
and for those countries that adopted using two aircraft of similar type.. how did they divide the roles? I heard something to the effect that countries using the F-16 and Mirage 2000 combo would leave the Mirage 2000 for interception (due to it’s delta wing design being optimal for it), and the F-16 for ground attack (where it seems to shine better)..
I was wondering how an advance Mig-29 and F-16 combo would work, with the 29 being used for air to air role sand the F-16 for A2G.. this possibility could happen with Poland.