Lavi is a poor example. Its entire development depended on US financial aid. All the USA had to do was stop paying, & it died. There would never have been a Lavi if the USA hadn’t put up the money in the first place. As it was, that US money gave several Israeli firms a leg up, especially in avionics, & established them as competitors to US firms.

Yeah what a costly mistake the Lavi was for the US in funding and then stopping the funding for the program. The design ended up in China and the US in effect funded a fighter for tis rival.

Rough quick translation 🙂 :

Bofors hopes for new Indian aqusition

Weaponsmanufactor Bofors is hoping for a future sale of weapons to India.
The deal is valued over 14 billion SEK (swedish crowns). As of now a deal has been signed to develop the technical cooperation with India. Karlskoga-Kuriren writes that the eventual order is about a new artillery system.
During the 80ies India bought weapons from Bofors for roughly 8 billion SEK. This lead to the so called Bofors scandal where the company was accused of bribing it’s way to secure the deal, however, the investigation was closed down by the prosecutor.

The Bofors case is going to be closed alright, so it may finally be ok to blacklist Bofors (they may even site different ownership), The Archer looks bloody good but is it affordable I think we are better off with towed howitzers in larger numbers.

Yes, and the Biggest Stick will be the Super Hornet. Combined with a strong Strategic Alliance with the US.

If the Stick comes without Strings I agree. As for the Strategic Alliance Mr.Obama has undone lot of the work done by his predecessor and is continuing to do so. (joint statement with China that China should help India Pak relations) 🙁

By no means a sure win.. Indian procurement policy never seemed to care about commonality too much. If they successfully managed to operate SNECMA M53, RD-33, Adour, Al-31F, Pegasus, R-31, R-29B, R-13 and R-27F together for years, then they surely will handle one or two more types next to the remaining Al-31FN, RD-33MK and M53.

And if the commonality with existing or planned designs should be a decisive argument No.1, then you can basically cancel the MMRCA and declare MiG-35 a winner.

The only thing that will decide is politics, offsets and money, your little engine comparisons can only make those in charge smile.

Yes and the current and former ACMs have gone on record saying that it is important that IAF reduce the number of types. The MIG 35 has a host of issues which Teer mentioned in another thread, I do believe the MRCA is going to be a western bird.

Kitty Hawk is going to be retired soon so what will be stationed there then ?

The IN is on record saying that they can get another 5-7 years from the Viraat.

Other than a show of might the Viraat with its 11 Sea Harriers (even with the update and BVR capability) is pretty much useless.

Scoot and USS agreeing on a possibility 😮

I think it is high time the french come up with some real dynamic proposals – an all out rafale purchase seems well beyond the Indian budget of about 10 billion USD.

But the French could offer a mixed package with UAE+Greek M2k-5s + 60 odd rafales and weapons for that price. Numbers, quick acquisition and tech – all in one smooth cuppa. 🙂

USS.

I am not sure India will accept any old birds for MRCA no matter how good they are.

What the French can offer is to buy back the Mirages and sell Rafales 😉