Why type of fighter flown is largely irrelevant.

You have three hypothetical air forces. Which is better?

a.). People’s Republic of Rousseauia – 100 x Su-30MKI

b.) Kingdom of Hobbeslandia – 100x Eurofighter

c.) Republic of Locke – 75 x F-16C/D Block 40 upgraded to block 50.

Answer is c.) Republic of Locke with it’s 75 F-16C/D Blk 40s.

Why?

Looking at actual airforces:

a.). People’s Republic of Rousseauia – 100 x Su-30MKI
– Pilots fly an average of 50 hours per annum
– Most flying done is familiarisation flights
– Innefficient logistics systems with anything but more basic servicing needing depot attention
– Never purchased PGM capability.
– Uses outdated doctrine based on USSR model.
– Poor officer training including lack of emphasis on initiative
– Government doesn’t trust military, so capable officers are often purged.
– No emphasis on electronic spectrum of warfare.

b.) Kingdom of Hobbeslandia – 100x Eurofighter
– Not enough pilots trained so most Eurofighters are in storage
– Pilots fly average of 50 hours, again familiarisation flights
– Military is viewed as “cushy job for relatives” so pilot selection is based on nepotism and not merit
– No development of coordinate military command structure
– All overhauls are done overseas.
– Poor servicability.
– Cultural issues result in poor quality of ground crews with large absenteeism, poor morale and poor quality work.
– No emphasis on electronic spectrum of warfare.
– Any capability maintained is reliant on foreign advisers.

c.) Republic of Locke – 75 x F-16C/D Block 40 upgraded to block 50.
– Average flight hours – 175 -200 pa.
– Flying is often air combat maneouvring, strike training etc. All to NATO standard.
– Well developed integrated military command structure.
– Has acquired reasonable spectrum of A2A and A2G munitions and proficiency is maintained.
– Good training program.
– Has invested in electronic spectrum including jammers, awacs etc.
– Good military culture based on merit and professionalism.

History is full of these kind of examples – look at performance of smaller IDF/AF when compared to much larger Arab airforces and in spite of rough technological equivalence (Mirage III/Mystere v MiG-17/21).

Or the extremely poor quality of the extremely large Libyan air force (a lot of which was left in crates).

Or Kuwaits inability to maintain advanced Lightning interceptors.

Or more recently, South Africa’s Gripen debacle with half the airframes in storage and only 6 qualified pilots flying about 25 hours per annum.