>>>Each indigenous LCA will cost $17-20 million against the $35 million price tag of Su-30 fighters.

>>>The multi-mode radar being developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment and Hal has been plagued by technical snags and cost overruns.

>>>Last month, DRDO chief V.K. Atre said on the day of his retirement that the authorities may have overestimated their capability to deliver the LCA.

>>>Even if these tests start in 2007 (on Indian aircraft), the earliest certification will be in 2010. We want to be doubly cautious about the engine because the LCA is a single-engine aircraft,” a source said

Sounds not very positive for being on time and within budget.

I read somewhere the French were teaching Indian pilots how to use BVR potential. As a sale option. So kind of marketing. But let us move beyond that. India has more then one platform and now pretty much experience. That is more important then whether in a test the beat during a mockup combat another party.

Looking at the destructionpower the CEP is pretty accurate. More intresting is how te accuracy is achieved. Laser gyro?

We all thought that after introduction of missiles a dogfight would be rare. In the past the missiles weren’t that good so Top Gun and other signs showed the return of WVR combat. In recent conflicts is seemed that BVR was the only combat in the air. In a netcentric approach with huge overpower it can… But I doubt that in every war this could be the reality. Bow with the introduction of highly agile WVR missiles and HMS the pr shows that it is the best option. With multiple planes and highly complex dogfights it isn’t that logic. Either the plane with HMS will be blocked by BVR or attacked by multiple formations. I don’t think that in real combat it is the best option. It is handy but that is all. Making Indian Airforce superior with a few technologies isn’t the reality. Looking at the number of posters and posts from India we tend to overreact. Just like the supersizing of Brahmos.

>>>anyway, One thing that i wanted to discuss is why is Iran showing interest in fc-1 despite claims that double fin f-5s were supposed to be in the similar league???

Would love to. But the reality is that JF17 will be sold to Iran…

beat American pilots 220 out of 240 engagements? That sounds turkey shoot… And do believe that there is difference between arab airforces and others.