Which makes sense because they come with no strings and are cheap.

J 10B ?

Sukhoi fighter plane crashes in Rajasthan, pilots safe

JAISALMER: A Sukhoi-30 fighter plane crashed near Jetha ki Dhani in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on Monday, but both the pilot and the co-pilot

The fighter jet was on a routine sortie when the crash occurred, Defence PRO Lt. N N Joshi said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sukhoi-fighter-plane-crashes-in-Rajasthan-pilots-safe/articleshow/5285077.cms

They have said that it would be because we’d be letting an adversary target US forces. The real reason would be to shatter down competition, anyway..

If I were US, I would orchestrate an attack by ‘adversaries’ on my own troops and then out of the blue my investigation teams would ‘discover’ a white sedan stuffed with loads of ‘evidence’ about adversaries relying upon Galileo system during the attack. 🙂 Then I would find some foreign officer (French is always good) having provided unlimited access codes to the oh-so-bad-guys (Arabs are the usual suspects here so why not take them, again, it sells better). Then of course I would regret to announce that due to ‘compromised national security’ I am forced to erase few Galileo sats.. Mission accomplisehd, let’s call it a day !!

Is there a superlative for Paranoid ? You fit the bill :rolleyes:

Well right now neither the Groshkov nor the IAC-1 is designed for any other aircraft than N-Tejas and Mig-29K.

Unless some one out of BIG heart donates IN a free CBG and free aircraft’s to operate from them , you can be assured that neither the CVF nor a new aircraft type will see the light of the day.

Not to mention IN has many other higher priority requirement then bother about CVF or new aircraft , their political masters and MOF will have some interesting question to ask.

Right now the IN should be more concerned on smooth induction of Groshkov its associated aircraft and operationalise the new CBG , and then ensure IAC enters the defence service on Time and under Budget thats a big ask if one goes by past record and India first attempt

According to Boeing Super Hornet can operate from a Ski Jump, looking at the T/W ratio the Rafale can do it as well in all probability. You are just making your conclusions too fast 🙁 the RFI is already out.

Navy’s hunt for new carrier-operated fighters begins

New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) The Navy has launched a hunt for a new set of fighter jets to operate from the aircraft carriers it will have in service five to six years from now.

Navy sources said here today that the force has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to global aviation majors, including American Boeing, Russian MiG and French D’Assault, ahead of issuing a tender for the aircraft.

Though the RFI is of a ‘generic’ nature, it could ultimately lead to a tender (or Request for Proposal) and the initial requirement would be for 16 aircraft with provision for follow-up orders of up to 40 aircraft, sources said.

The deck-based aircraft are required by the Navy to operate from its three 40,000-tonne Indigenous Aircraft Carriers (IAC) being built at the Cochin
Shipyard. The delivery of the first IAC is expected around 2015.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/398836_Navy-s-hunt-for-new-carrier-operated-fighters-begins

If this agreement with the UK falls over there may be a lot of nations especially from the middle east wanting to get the F 35 early slots. So i do not think it will hurt the U.S much.

Imagine that the U.K cancels the F 35 order and buys Rafale.

The LM guys can go to UAE for example and say the F 35 is available why invest on the Rafale we give you something thats got more bells and whistles etc.

Nothing will fly from Groshkov , IAC-1 other than N-Tejas and Mig-29K which is what they are designed for , so the question of other aircraft does not arise ( unless something like VTOL JSF but thats a distant dream )

Mig-29K has yet to start its service life and its a very capable platform both in Airdefence and Standoff capability , it will as usual go through a Continuous Improvement Program through out its life of ~ 25 years ( or like 2035 ).

Another 29 Mig-29K is on the list and the deal will be signed soon.

Things like 3D TVC and AESA can be retrofitted and 5th gen weapons from Russia can be integrated on the 29K , since Russian Navy are ordering a batch of 29K any upgrade will benefit both programs.

The Naval Tejas will similarly benefits from Tejas Mk2 and it will go through its own CIP through out its life of ~ 25 years.

Both platform when seen in tandem should give the IN the reach and punch needed in its environment , adding another new type when two new type will begin their service life is out of question.

The IN can float their RFI but translating that into RFP is not going to happen any time sooner or later.

You are too optimistic there, Boeing has clearly stated that the Super Hornet can operate from STOBAR carriers, Rafale can do it as well. The 29 additional orders are probably for shore based operations. I will not be surprised if the IAC 1 and IAC 2 will have a new fighter.

I am waiting for news on the CVF rumor :diablo: