Depends what type of bomber you are talking about, i mean in relation to the cost, if the India can afford the Bear and also the P8i an32 etc i can not see how it can not afford a bomber. it does not have to be operating it in constant alert around the clock, but it can use it in times of war to take out logistics etc

A few converted comercial aircraft able to carry a mix of Brahmos, Nirbhay and simpler heavy duty rockets similar to smerch etc would be very useful in times of war.

Assuming that the IRST covering is made from standard glass all the above may be true.

Faceted IRST may be useful for a forward looking IR sensor but what if you want to scan 180 or 270 degrees? what do you do then? Sphere made of a optically clear material which is not necessarily the same chemistry or composition as standard glass containing some fillers to absorb or scatter Radio waves might be very good compromise..

Assuming that is that it could be another material and assuming they do use a spherical cover for the IRST. I would presume these guys know what they are doing and they have had to choose the best compromise for the mission this aircraft is designed for.

Well, India is likely going to have to forge closer ties with the West. As it won’t be able to combat both China and Pakistan. Taking the course of its on.

Maybe, but talking deeper will pull us into politics..

As for the MMRCA i think although technically it may have been executed text book style its a joke.. the IAF will get aircraft that were designed a decade ago to be put fully into service from half a decade to a decade from now and to last 20 years thereafter at-least.

Better for it not to spend the money and instead use the 20 billion to fund an R&D project as a JV with some one like SAAB and EMBRAER and S Korea and Japan for a fifth gen.

This is typical of how the Govt agencies shoot themselves in the foot by not releasing information in a timely manner, and affecting their perception. So while the public thought nothing was being done on the Snecma deal, the IAF was actually being canvassed for their clearance and the deal is apparently moving ahead.

But its not really that much progress is it? considering how long ago the JVs were first muted! considering the urgent need of the program you have to wonder the reason for procrastinating.

is there one person on this thread who actually feels we are making any progress over the discussion that has been ongoing for the past decade?

I can’t see it.

The stakes have been raised and both sides are acting with less and less decorum. I think it behoves all of us to stop comparing the 2 aircraft and the potential deals until there are some facts out there….

A familiar, oft repeated plea from the heart!

Having said that, I do enjoy all the “well sourced” rumours that keep leaking out (or being made up).

Aaah the life of an aviation enthusiast…..;)

I am just loving the fact that since they opened the secret envelope all this news about who is cheaper has been flying around, also to think that Defence Aerospace has picked up on the fact that now there are reports contradicting each other one with the eurofighter and vice versa!

This whole thing is a joke! and now the MMRCA will cost the same as the PAKFA? and nearly twice as much as the Su-30MKI ? and atleast as much as the SU 30 MKI ++ upgrade with the AESA RADAR? so why not just buy more SU30s!

Depends. India could be involved as a full partner in Eurofighter GMBH, or as a full partner in the Eurofighter Typhoon. They’re not the same thing.

True…

i got a bit (understatement) carried away, I wonder what has actually been offered to India, and what they have been offered a partnership…

Also wonder on the Rafael side what has been offered by Dassault!