chinese L-15

edit: http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/trainer/l15.asp

Still, one has to ask if the MRCA is still necessary. I mean there are additional MKI’s on order and soon (TM) there will be LCA Mk II available.
MiG-27 and Jags are getting updated.
And as source for tech… well, AESA tech is provided by Israelis and single crystal blades by the Russians.
Even if India wants western engine tech, this is already obtained via the LCA engine.
Plus the MKI’s already comes with a modern (partly french) cockpit.
Are those additional MKI’s not enough to fill the gap till FGFA arrives ?

Official first flight doesn’t mean it’s the true first flight of an aircraft.

Iraq is a very interesting challenge for any armchair general. I mean you have excellent human resources, potentially the money to buy tons of shiny toys and a very “interesting” neighbourhood.
My ideas:
MiG-21: there should be plenty of airframes avaible in workable condition. Issue could be to get enough from the same standard.
Mirage F1: most probably the hottest candidate to get a basic capability as quick as possible. There are at least some pilots familiar with the type, and some airframes available.
Su-25: This one could be tricky. The factory in Tbilisi has been destroyed, and I have no idea how many airframes are stored and in a condition to be restored. (Leaving aside the potential trouble of getting spare parts).

On the bright side: Iraq should have relatively minor trouble to get a capable chopper force. Mi-171 and Mi-24something still roll out of the Kazan factory and are in my opinion still the best choice for Iraq.

So, my take on the issue:
1-2 Squadrons of Mirage F1 for airpolicing and for starting fast jet operations again.
1-2 Squadrons of MiG-21 for pilots and ground crews familiar with Russian aircraft. They are cheap, disposable and will be sufficient for getting pilots some stick time.
As jettrainers I would go with L-139. Plus adding some L-159 ALCA’s for light ground attack. Very cost effective aircraft in my opinion.

At the same time, I would look for new aircraft. My personal favourite would Gripen. Relatively cheap, excellent capability for the money you pay, independent weapon choices. Only downside is the engine choice for NG, but hey, nothing is perfect.
Bell 412, Mi-171 and Mi-24 should mostly cover the needs for rotary wing aircraft.
All the minor stuff ist mostly covered I believe, with contracts in place for training and liason aircraft.
Adding some Erieyes to the mix + a Russian made layered airdefence (Pantsyr, Tor, S-300) would round things up.

Oh yes I see it coming. The Chinese stop selling plastic slippers to the rest of the world, because the evil French and Arabians sold old aircraft to Taiwan.
The sky is falling !:rolleyes:

Firtst south african singleseater ready for delivery:http://www.gripen.com/en/MediaRelations/News/2009/first_flight_for_south_african_gripen.htm

Scorpion, I beg to differ about Afganistan. While this may become important in the future, both the British and Germans lack airframes for QRA duties.
You certainly know JG 74’s situation.
Similar things are true for the British. The Russians were kind enough to remind us about the importance of enough aiframes for QRA duties. The British have the additional burden of Falkland deployments.
Till there are enough operational airframes available, we have enough matured platforms at hand for deployment to Afganistan.
By the way, we don’t have any Tornados in Afganistan tasked with a2g, and the British have enough Tornadoes and Harriers.