oh I believed it by the time I wrote the earlier post. nowhere does it say that derby will be the ‘only’ LCA AAM.

No it won’t be the Python V is set to be the future SRAAM as well. Israelis winning big in the LCA, Elta 2032 derived MMR, Python V in later batches instead of R 73E and Derby in BVR.

Why I think the F-16 is still in the race and has a good chance along with the Gripen.

Lockheed Martin are no clowns, the former ACM FH Major has gone on record saying while using what your enemy uses is not ideal, sometimes it may be the logical choice. DTI issue (dont know which) 2009.

Secondly Helping Pakistan can be argued against everyone.

1. Russia is doing worse selling engines for a fighter Pakistan is building in house, they can quickly build up their fleet of JF 17s. While F 16s coming with American strings is infact less of a threat in long term.

2. SAAB selling Erieye (4 nos) to Pakistan as a force multiplyer it partly makes up for comparitively lower range radars (when compared to IAF) of PAF fighters.

3. Europeans selling SAMs to PAF.

4. French selling subs.

5. French upgrading PAF mirages.

– Some of my fellow countrymen over estimate Indias influence in world affairs and weapon sales. We are not there yet but we will be as we continue to grow.

*Everything mentioned above is my opinion & not IAF/MoDs

Not likely especially if the expensive Typhoon or Rafale is ordered.

IAF is asking for 45 squadrons..that is a whole lot of planes needed.

Which is why I believe they won’t be ordered and its between the Gripen and the F 16.

And there is a remote possibility of a split order as well.

My opinion not off MoD/IAF stuff

you do realise this proves nothing whatsoever ?
so, after flightglobal deccan herald is you new choice as India’s MOD spokesperson ? 😀 :p

do understand the difference between news and kite flying.

of course, my prediction was that both LCA and MRCA will see more than their current orders.

give it a rest dude since when we only take offical MoD releases as serious. MRCA order will will grown in size and this is a fact.

I will bet my house on it that LCA will be ordered atleast 50nos less than the total MRCA. 😉

Some people were saying only ‘naval LCA’ will get Derby. Still think LCA armed with Derby can have a fair fight with F 16 Block 50/52+ armed with AMRAAM C-5 ?

Tejas to be fitted with Israeli Derby missile

Israel’s Derby missile is the weapon of choice for India’s Tejas fighter. A contract will be signed by March with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd to supply the air-to-air missile system to be fitted on some 200 jets, said P.S. Subramanya, director of India’s Aeronautical Development Agency, which is developing the light combat aircraft.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered 40 Tejas planes. The aircraft recently obtained restricted initial operational clearance, with a full clearance targeted for December 2012. While the IAF has expressed an interest for 100 of the Mk-II version of the fighter, the navy is looking for 60 of the naval versions, Subramanya said.

The Sea Harrier upgrade with the Derby missile was criticized by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) last year in a report, saying the navy zeroed in on the Derby without a proper open tender procurement process. During trials, the Derby did not perform at the required range, but was still accepted, the CAG said.

Was contemplating the same thing, i noted Sukhoi-30MKIs would also go up to 280, that’s 540 a/c from these two alone.
How many F/A can India afford to sustain ?
How many do you currently operate, including Bison/Jag’s/Mk2 etc ?

What you have to consider here is the Time frame.

The intial MRCA will possibly fill up the gap left by the MiG 21(non upgraded) and 23s (already retired) and later the Bisons. I think the additional orders will replace types like the MiG 27s and finally the 29s, Jaguars and Mirages.

So in the mid 20s the IAF could look like this.

FGFA
Su 30 MKI
MRCA
LCA
AMCA (if everything goes according to plan).

So, if a twin engine aircraft is chosen, even more redundant fighters. Meh. IMO would be better to pour that money into getting Tejas functional, and filling the aircraft gap with an indigenous plane. Wait and see I guess, but for how looooong.

IAF seems to be wanting to make up the numbers with the MRCA so It is very likely that the winner will be a single engined fighter*.

*= (not official IAF OR MoD view just my opinion)

How Many Mi 26s the IAF has now after losing one a month or two ago ?