Well good for IAF then. I hope they select a good A/C for mmrca.
So why do you think 4 104’s went down without a fight to the Mig-21? I don’t think they were downgraded products or that PAF pilots were substandard.
Also was F-104 IAF’s choice because we were used to british or american weapons or did they actually get to test it ever?
Hmm yup they also thought starfighter could handle Mig-21. 🙂
I have nothing against Mig Nick, but i would like them to upgrade the 66-70 mig 29’s to SMT and produce 50 Mig 29K for the navy and then get cracking on the fifth gen LFI. But for MMRCA Rafale or eurofighter seems like a better choice. They can complement Su-30MKI very well.
No USS the only pie US can hope for from the nuke deal is that american companies would get most contracts from the deal for nuke reactors which is exclusively with russia and france at the moment. If the nuke deal falls then russia would walk away with all of it, maybe france will also get some. IAF might be evaluating F-18 and 16 but will not go for it. Of course if it had been the navy (who have a lot more common sense than IA or IAF) they would have rejected any american offer long ago after the sea king fiasco.
Ummm no IAF is not PAF that it needs a handout or begging bowl. I agree Mig-35 might sneak in due to russian lobby’s clout in south block, but otherwise Rafale (probably 80 odd) and 30 more Mig 29K for the navy can keep both happy.
I don’t see IAF going for F-18 or F-16. Heck they won’t accept LCA with american engine, why would they be idiotic enough to ask for 100+ american planes. I am guessing the fight is mainly between Mig-35 russian lobby and Rafale. Eurofighter may or may not have a chance. Gripen ..not in a million years.
USS..I don’t think IAF is gaga over american weapons. Russians, french and israelis seem to offer a lot of choices. Korea did not have a choice because they use american weapons on most of their fighters, while we have no use for american weapons. Personally i agree with harry Rafale or Eurofighter is the way to go. But it all depends on how much TOT and investment they bring to HAL or India. Rafale does have an edge if Snecma joins with GTRE in getting kaveri online soon. Harry there was some news in BR about PV-3 ground trials? Can you enlighten us.
And what makes you think they don’t train hard like any other decent fighter pilots not specializing in killing civilians in iraq or afghanistan?
The launch weight for AMRAAM 120 is 151 kg, while that of derby is 121 kg. Would 30 kg make all that big a difference? length wise Derby is 3.621m while for amraam 3.66m. Not very much off from each other are they?
Hmmmmm Hmmmm……….ask Harry. 🙂
http://www.acig.org/exclusives/viraat/viraat_1.htm
The caption next to the Magic matra-2 training round. It clearly says the harrier can carry dual rails.
Sea harrier has 7 stations (4 wing+ 3 fuselage) so I guess 2 fuel tanks + 2 cannons + 1 sea eagle (can it carry Kh-35?) + 4(using dual rail) derby+magic combo should be possible as long as the load does not exceed 3600 odd kg. (All details from BR).
Doing a rough calculation:
2 fuel tanks : 1800kg
1 sea eagle : 600kg perhaps (using Kh-35’s weight)
2 cannons : 600 kg?????
4 AAM : 600 kg. (surely less than this)
total : 3600kg
So unless the cannons weigh more or sea eagle is a lot heavier than I think. This load should be easily possible.
I am not sure GOI would go for an All american deal. The IAF will not accept LCA with american engine, why would they go for 100+ purely american plane? Maybe a token amount 60 F-18 e/F to test the waters.
I am against rafale now. India does not need to buy this plane. Eurofighter does fit in the same category. Let them sell it to pakistan or china if they want. Mig-35 is still the best bet with a token number of F-18’s.
Yes I believe harry’s acig report does mention that shar can carry the DRDO developed twin pylons. I have no idea about derby though.
Are all AH-1’s with PA or does PAF operate any?
Exactly my point flex. Thats what I meant by it helps them get flight hours. I am not really sure about bullet proof ties with britain. Are you refering to jags, harrier and hawks? What about now? Would they hesitate to sell Eurofighters to pakistan?
Looks like a feel good article to ease the pain of GUBO.