Even the British understand that having a few jump jets on a carrier won’t do much good against any country with a decent air force. So I consider it a wise decision what they did. I am sure India would also rather wait than buying something that does not add to its current capability i.e the Ark Royal. And on the Gorshkov even by the worst estimates it would be in IN service before the end of the decade.

I got the Harrier bit wrong I admit but my point on the Ark Royal is still valid.

When the Viraat came out of Refit last year it was said it can if needed easily soldier on for another 10 years, I do not see a gap in capability on that front. Besides the Ark Royal cannot help India practice carrier ops with the MiG 29K.

Why would India want the Ark Royal anyway ? It is not that much more capable than the good ol’ Viraat which according to Navy can go for another 10 years easily.

I wonder if India would be interested in the Harriers since the relations with the Americans have improved they may even get a sanction to get the radar and missiles as well.

I think the deal for the upgrade of Indian Mirages is agreed in principle already. I do not see India using them long enough to further warrant another upgrade.

I think Aspis is right if the generous terms offered to Serbia are to go by the Gripen is probably the only affordable fighter for the HAF now other than the F 16. But you have to wonder how much of a balance it would give them when Turkey would be fielding F 35s.

The F16 is an old design now. No matter how many electronics you put on it, it’s old design.

The Gripen gives:

– Swashsplate AESA. This as the HAF pilot in the forum said, gives big advantage in BVR, because while now you must keep closing to your enemy to guide the missile, at the limits of your radar’s coverage, risking to take response fire yourself, a swashplate allows you to guide the missile while almost flying away from the enemy.

– More flexibility. The Swedes can put any weapon you like, including french. Imagine a combination of Meteor, MICA IR and Iris-T. And you escape the total dependency from US both in weapons and in system.

– Turkey at least as airframe knows the F16 very well. Even if they don’t get later the same block, it will be a “half-known” aircraft. The Gripen will be of unknown capabilities.

– The Swedes with all probability will give better EW suite than the Americans are willing to. (the french have done the same too).

– The F16 is at the dusk of its career. If we order in 2014, will there be an upgrade program for it in 2029 (i take 15 years as best case scenario of the half-life an aircraft has in HAF) and if yes, how much sense will it be to upgrade in 2029 a 1960 design?

The UAE Mirage in the meantime (32 or all doesn’t matter), will allow for the A7 to retire (finally), while doing a smooth transition without new support costs and also with full weapons stock from UAE.

Sadly the chances of actually buying Gripen NG are slim due to politics.

What you said makes sense the Gripen is indeed the newer design. I was only suggesting the later block F 16 because of Greece’s Financial woes and the already existing infrastructure for the same.