It seems Pakistan’s F-16 are used now and then for bombing missions … wonder how much life is remained after such regular use, any information on it, is highly appreciated.

Jets bombard North Waziristan hideouts; 35 militants killed

Not really regular. There have been lulls in the bombing as the present government try to negotiate, the fact the current campaign makes headline news is testemount to that face.

Also, PAF uses most of its platforms for bombing missions, bar perhaps the F-7s. According to many AFM articles, Upgraded ROSE Mirages and JF-17s have all pulled duty on the bomb missions. This is also to spread experiance amongst PAF aircrew. F-16s are very accurate but by no means the only options.

In terms of airframe wear and tear, I imagine the occasional bomb missions pulled by the various F-16 sqds may not be more detrimental then say their regular participation in air combat exercises at home and abroad.

PAF aqquires 13 F-16 MLUs from Jordan, activating a third MLU sqd next month.

The every same Mirages and subs France supplied to Pakistan straight afterwards?

As is stated, no “lethal” equipment was supplied, even the sources you posted do not state this, so it is difficult to see the point you are making.

This may shock you, but in the real world, France (and the vast majority or arms companies) stand with where the money is.

Please do not fool yourself that anyone has an emotional comitment to any one country.

Guess that means Dassault are taking their toys and going home then? Wait… no, that’s not what’s happening in real life is it? 😀

Wow! So in your head, you are spinning this as Dassault messing up and India sitting on a pile of cash waiting to buy? Despite statements claiming no cash from

1) Prime Minister of India
2) Defence Minister of India
3) Every major newspaper of India

Good luck with that….

On the contrary, most commentators foresee strong economic growth over the long term. The current paralysis in particular will end only once the new government is voted in.

Also, they haven’t overspent – with about a month left in the financial year, the MoD has spent 92% of its capital budget.

All deals signed so far – C-130J, C-17, P-8I, Hawk, Mi-17 as well as MiG and Mirage upgrades are completely funded. As for the MMRCA, while it ought to be scrapped, its not over yet.

Bit surprised by the sweeping generalisations regarding economic growth. “Most commentators”!? Really. The FT, The Economist and the OECD all state the obvious, but we are moving off topic.

The other deals were indeed funded, but the point the PM of India is making,is that India cannot sustain that level of defence spending at current growth rates.

Trimming the defence budget isn’t the same as there being ‘no money’. Even after reduction, the capital acquisitions budget for the (now ending) financial year stood at about $17 billion. Extrapolating from that, the Indian MoD will be disbursing funds totalling well over $100 billion upto 2020. Making a partial payment for the Rafale and/or PAK FA won’t exactly bankrupt the state.

The focus for the GoI right now is controlling the immediate fiscal deficit, which means delaying the Rafale deal if necessary. Ideally, the experience should wean the Indian military off ‘premium’ purchases and instil a greater focus on obtaining value-for-money. Whether that will happen remains to be seen.

Yes and no, obviously they have overspent this year, but there seems to be a concern about a long term economic slowdown as per the posted report

“Terming the economic slowdown a “looming and serious challenge”, he said, “We need to match our investment in military equipment and forces to our national resources.”

What I do not understand is that for years, whilst all these “deals” were being negotiated and vendors were led up the garden path, not a single person realised the issue of funds. I would think even Dassault would have done some due diligence on how they would be paid or where the money was coming from.

Well and Erieye sale was definately made, the Swedes announced it.

It does not mention Dassault support anywhere during Kargil. Just Israeli and Russian supplied bombs. It just stats that the IAF used the Mirage during ops.

No other questions.