its actually the same reasoning to induct the LCA for IAF, they developed the ac not to be better then what they have but to fill up the numbers and to get familiar with the ac industry.

(my first post, nice to mee ya all)

Welcome Arshad.

It is the low tech of the high low combination which is pretty standard. And for the rest it is a startup for the Pakistani industry. India has already more developed industry but even then still opts for low tech start. Pakistan is just getting introduced to medium tech. Sofar they are famous in overhauling Mig19/21 and mirages 3/5. They gained some experience in building 50% of the construction of the K8. Jumping direct to composite parts will be like the bridge in Arnhem…

Cheers.

Sevo… A jumpstart? When did began and when will end…?

Matt… I know. Could be much better… Excuses for that. But you can figure it out… You are a smart guy.

Well. For some that are not into politics in Pakistan or India. There has been relaxation. You all know the Kargil situation but lately both nations are moving closer. Here an article where can be read that economic co-operation will improve. The idea is to make SAARC same as the EC in Europe. It has great potential. The improvement in the economy is a great way to introduce democracy. Most posters here are busy with negative energy. There is more…

About the Gripen. We do not know it for sure but let us believe that if situation improves then Gripen would be on the agenda. But if situation improves then why having such a great force? Pakistan can then dump the less quality planes (F7p/PG, Mirage 3/5, A5, F5, F6) and move on to better ones. They both are busy with the same plans…

There is Arjun – El Khaled, JF17 – LCA, F7pg – Bison, K8 – Ajt etc etc…

Anyway… here the article:

Natwar terms Pak visit useful

By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh has said that he had a productive and useful visit to Pakistan for the Saarc Council of Ministers meeting. The meeting has resulted in significant steps in key areas of regional cooperation. “Our basic approach was to give Saarc greater relevance and meaning so as to enable it to meet the aspirations of our peoples. As the Saarc moves into its third decade, we hope to move from studies and meetings to implementation of projects,” he said, according to a statement of the Indian High Commission.

Natwar said: “I utilised my presence in Pakistan for separate meetings on the sidelines with the leadership of Pakistan. I called on His Excellency President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senior Minister Shaukat Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri. This was my third meeting with Foreign Minister Kasuri in the last month. These meetings were an opportunity to review our bilateral relations. I found the attitude of the Pakistani leadership constructive and positive. We discussed programmes so far in the process of composite dialogue that began in February.”

He said: “I am grateful to the government of Pakistan for the excellent arrangements and many courtesies shown to me and my delegation during the visit. The warmth of our welcome by the government and people of Pakistan touched us deeply.”

Earlier, Natwar Singh said that he was sorry that he could not travel to Charssada to meet with ANP leader Wali Khan and his family. Traditionally, there have been very warm relations between the ANP and New Delhi with Natwar saying that their decades old policy of finding political means to resolve differences has been vindicated.

…..

From the Indian newspaper The Hindu…

Musharraf for `reasonable’ timeframe

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JULY 23 . Striking a tough posture, the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, today told the External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh, about the need for a final settlement of the Kashmir issue within a “reasonable” timeframe and “simultaneous” progress on all subjects, including the “central issue” of Kashmir.

According to a press statement by the Pakistan Foreign Office, Gen. Musharraf conveyed to Mr. Singh during his 90-minute interaction at the Army House in Rawalpindi that it was important to provide “comfort” to the Kashmiris as they had the highest stake in the success of the process.

Surprisingly, none of these elements was reflected in the three-and-a-half page “departure statement” Mr. Singh read out at the end of his five-day visit to Pakistan essentially in connection with the SAARC Council of Ministers conference.

Only common point

The only common point in the statements of Mr. Singh and the Pakistan Foreign Office is the commitment made during the interaction on making the composite dialogue process a success. Mr. Singh repeated the Manmohan Singh Government’s commitment to the dialogue process.

According to the Pakistan Foreign Office, Gen. Musharraf’s comments were in the context of the commitment to making the composite dialogue process a success. “In this context, the President emphasised the need for `simultaneous’ progress on all issues and most notably on the central issue of Jammu and Kashmir. It was important to address this issue with sincerity with a view to reaching a final settlement that accorded fully with the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiris within a `reasonable’ timeframe,” it said.

`Steady dialogue needed’

Mr. Singh said he spoke to Gen. Musharraf about India’s intention to carry on a “sustained and steady dialogue” with Pakistan and reviewed several significant aspects of our relations. “Both sides reiterated the importance of continuing the dialogue process in an atmosphere free of violence, and of tackling the scourge of terrorism with renewed vigour,” he said.

Mr. Singh said no aspect of bilateral relationship, including Jammu and Kashmir, was left out of the “warm, frank and realistic discussions.”

“I leave Pakistan with renewed determination to work with Pakistan, bilaterally, to normalise our relations and to resolve differences while building on our many commonalties,” he said.

They would run off steam quickly but if they used kerosene instead of steam they would be quicker.

Maybe some Vodka…

This thread won’t be removed just because some people don’t like this as a topic. It IS a discussion point, after all. If you don’t like it, just ignore it and hope other people will ignore it as well so the thread dissappears by itself.

Thanks Arthur. It was deleted before. I think that since the start of the LCA India has made huge progress. They will start assembling much complexer fighters like MKI. Do they need a plane that is late and not the latest? The LCA has profitted a lot from open markets (western technology) but I don’t think they should go on but lift with a newer model with Russia. Even as a low tech (low high tech combination) I would serious think twice. Why just getting it into service? Just for the pride?

The US will be happy to sell their grave yard f16’s for a friendly price. It did not work in Hungary but they will try “read push” a bit harder…

To Anders…
It is not about the Eriye landing in Pakistan… Or signing contract… Pakistan had some difficulties in getting latest high tech. Some here posted that it was not sure whether Pakistan would get them. If some still think that the final details can be settled in a few weeks then they must try to find a better way to spend their time. Cheers mate.

We knew this long ago. About Gripen. With Jf17 in the pipeline they could move on. And all they need is some avionics for the JF17 and F10…

What is strange is that Gripen is left open. If things improve… Well. India and Pakistan are moving closer. When is good or enough? And since linking is very important aspect of he Erieye. Will they provide open source?