I dont see why the “MMR sucks” if they make the A2G work. With 650 W average power, and a 650mm Dia Antenna, it can give respectable performance!
And the LCA we must remember is an extremely small aircraft, plus is designed to have a low RCS. So the LCA can have the first look advantage. Lets look at its avionics:

* MMR + IRST (Elbit) + Elbit Dash + Litening + high bandwidth datalink (IAI)
* MAWS + RWR + internal SPJ
* Reduced RCS platform with 45% composite structure by weight
* IFR
* Compatability with all A2A and A2G ordnance in IAF arsenal
* Quadraplex FBW with DFCC, Open Arch Computer, Stores Management System

I dont see why the LCA would in anyway be doomed, without an AESA..
An AESA is just gilding the lily.

Its a Pak commentator and he mentions the F-16s..crosspost it if you wish..?

The view from the other side..

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/sep-2006/26/columns3.php

Weaponising India

AIR MARSHAL (RETD) AYAZ AHMED KHAN
After the decision of the Bush administration to supply nuclear technology to India and signing of the “Indo-US Agreement on Nuclear Co-operation”, US defence industry is trying to secure defence contracts worth billions of dollars with the Indian armed forces.
There is a realisation that America has the best high technology weapons, especially fighter aircraft and air defence equipment, which could enable India to establish hegemony in South Asia and primacy in the region. 😮
All US defence manufacturers have a strategy for gaining a foothold in the Indian armed forces. One of the biggest deals under way involves India’s plans to buy 126 new multi-role jet fighters for the Indian Air Force, valued at around ten billion US dollars. Lockheed Martin the biggest aircraft manufacturing company in the world has made the offer to sell 126 Block 50-52 F-16 fighters jets, with technology transfer to assemble/manufacture F-16 Falcons in India.
Boeing Co the biggest manufacturer of passenger jetliners has offered F/AE/F Super Hornet fighters at comparable price. France’s Dassault who make Mirage-2000 fighters already with the Indian Air Force, has offered its latest Rafale fighter. Russia which is currently supplying 190 multi-role Su-31/31 Mk fighters, has offered to sell top of the line Mig-29s, already on IAF inventory. And Saab the Swedish aircraft manufacturer has offered to sell the Saab fighter to India.
It is worth mentioning that while the US has agreed to sell 36 F-16 fighters to Pakistan at an exorbitant price of five billion dollars, 126 F-16s are being offered to India for ten billion dollars only. At ten billion US dollars for 126 F-16s, the price per F-16s proposed to be sold to India is one third per aircraft compared to Pakistan. India is negotiating a deal with Lockheed Martin to build most of the F-16 jet fighters by HAL at Bangalore. While Pakistan failed to negotiate a similar agreement at Aeronautical Complex in Kamra.
Lockheed Martin has agreed to the transfer of technology to HAL for manufacturing F-16 Falcons in India. Was technology transfer requirement taken up with the Bush administration and with Lockheed Martin? And what was their response? Is the US and Lockheed Martin taking Pakistan for a ride by charging three times the price? With eight hundred fighter aircraft on its inventory, as compared to about 400 with the PAF, the combat aircraft ratio is two to one in India’s favour. The IAF has 230 modern front line combat aircraft – 190 Russian SU-30 MK and 40 Mirage 2000 strike aircraft, compared to only 32 F-16s with the PAF. With 126 additional fifth generation fighters, IAF’s fighter strike, combat capability will increase to 356 highly potent multi-role strike aircraft, capable of striking deep into Pakistan.
The American avionic firm Raytheon has already confirmed its readiness to supply India with its most advanced electronically active scanned array radar (AESA), which steers radar beams at nearly the speed of light. This electronic asset would enhance the war fighting capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Neither the AESA nor the F-18 Super Hornet has been offered to Pakistan.
US has offered Patriot Anti-Missile Missile System to India, while India is negotiating purchase of Arrow AMMs from Israel. Indian Air Force AWACS and the array of new AMMs and AESA radars will greatly enhance Indian Air Force capability to intercept incoming missiles and intruder aircraft.
Bell the American aerospace giant has almost settled an order for the supply of 197 multi-role helicopters, including large numbers of gun ship helicopters for the use of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Bell has also offered India assistance for the development and manufacture of home made attack helicopter. Indian Army wants to buy 64 Bell attack helicopters immediately.
The remaining 137 will be manufactured under licence at HAL Bangalore. Northrop Grumman Corporation has already signed a deal with HAL Bangalore to source and supply components of the Hawkeye AWACs, already offered to the Indian Navy and Air Force.There are indications that the Indian defence budget will increase to 22 billion dollars, ie by ten percent during the coming fiscal year. Capital expenditure on new weapon acquisitions has increased from 25% in 2000 to 42% during the current fiscal year. Massive arming of India with American help will create a serious security situation in the Middle East region. Something must be done to stop arms race being triggered by the United States in South Asia.

Well they are developing Brahmos for EXPORT first of all. Second You asked about the usefulness of the technology to the Indians… as they seem to have paid a premium price for that technology. High speed drones to develop their own CIWS defences, land attack cruise missiles, as a UAV replacement for the Mig-25, as a long range air to air missile for engaging AWACs type targets are all uses for ramjet technology that they could benefit from.

India actually developed the Brahmos for its needs. The export push is to reduce the cost of its investment. IOW, if no exports occur- thats ok, Brahmos was the first venture of its kind and proved successful in getting a product out, international coop for local industry plus an excellent missile- but a few missiles here & there and a little profit, going towards the GOI investment will be a nice touch on the whole thing.

Chill, no need to get so worried about a pilot making comments of his own volition… :p

Meanwhile, those interested, can see the statements for themselves & make their own mind up. 😀

Hunting Hawk,

As expected, eh? :rolleyes: 😎

Seems like the USAF jocks really respect & like their IAF counterparts and vice versa! 🙂

Reminds me of Greg Neubechs remarks immediately after Cope India.

The DPP specifies 90%.