Those GR9s have no radar so would be ineffective in defending the carrier fleet from attacks, a role that the SHar currently performs. They need a fighter that has STOVL and a radar, so it would need an upgrade to get the Elta 2032 and Derby missiles.

Thanks for that – having had my head stuck in the sand for the past however many years I never realised that the Gr9 didnt have a radar ,…………….. sorry for being sarky but really.

The reason they should still look at the GR9 is that they need airframes. Tell me over the past 10 years when a Indian Harrier has actually been in action???? or likely to be before the Mig 29s are fully operational.

Now tell me if you think retiring the Harriers in UK is a good idea, no its not you lose skills. So how about India buys 15-20 GR9’s forgets about the fact that they dont have radar and uses them to fill the deck. You take 4/6 Indian Harriers out and the same GR9’s leaving the rest on rotation. You keep your pilots qualified and working off decks as well as the crew. AND you get to use a plane that’s ground attack from a carrier….something the Mig 29 can also do, so you develop you doctrine for that?

Is that such a silly idea?

US tried to buy KH-31 Missile – Wiki Leaks

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Indian Navy to operate Viraat aircraft carrier for another decade

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China has nearly finished restoring Varyag

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Supreme Court hears A-12 Bomber Case

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Give me the following purchase of F-35C and I would be a very happy man.

96 F-35C Broken up into 3 RAF Squadrons of 12 aircraft and 4 RN Squadrons of 10. 20 Aircraft in a pool/reserve

I see 2 Squadrons of RN on Carriers at all times. To be honest 20 F-35C on a CVF would be a dream compared to likely events.

RAF get their deep strike Squadrons Navy gets it’s Carrier aircraft. Simples!