Is it time for Hi-Lo Lo air forces?

Hi,

Given the cost of fifth generation fighters and the massive constriction of budgets is it time for air forces who have traditionally avoided light cheap(er) fighters to purchase such fighters to start doing so?

By light fighters I would be talking about small single engined fighters with weights I guess under 5,000 kg empty (mostly developed from advanced trainers) examples might be Hawk 200, or L 159 ALCA (or the F-5 Tiger II if you are being all historical). The weight limit is artificial, as you can buy fighters with empty weights around 6,000 kg currently – HAL Tejas, FJ-17, and the Gripen

Has there time finally come, and if so which countries should consider them and which planes should they buy?

Personally I think a lot of countries currently planning to spend $12 – $15 million per jet on second hand airframes should invest a little more to get new “light” fighter designs (say countries standing down their Flanker’s, Mirages or Phantoms).

Please feel free to flame away!