availability of Su-30 is around 60%, meaning almost half of them arent used, due to lack of spares,
why does IAF count inventory instead of available fighters ready to use ?

or is it that Su-30 has such a rate of malfunction that the type simply isn’t up to standard ?

It is a good point. I think there is such an intense focus on the “shiny new toys” side of things that the more mundane logistics stuff that can contribute to a meaningful increase in combat air power gets ignored.

Looking at most IAF bases on Google and one sees many aircraft parked in the open (few HAS shelters or even sun shelters). Ammo supplies seem low, sub standard runways, lack of reserve spare holdings etc.

All of the above may well end effecting any new aircraft the IAF induct, but getting the above right will no doubt add to the available firepower of the air force much more cost effective then argueing over a £120 million plane v a £200 million plane….

Looks like the deal for Rafales to bypass the bogged down larger deal has become bogged down….

Indian demands put Rafale deal in jeopardy, say sources

India’s differences with France over the cost of 36 Dassault Rafale fighters are believed to have been further complicated by Indian Air Force (IAF) demands to ‘customise’ some of the platforms’ on-board systems, industry sources have told IHS Jane’s .

They said the IAF wanted some avionics and weapon systems in the Rafale “modified and reconfigured” to enable the eventual installation of indigenously developed and commercial-off-the-shelf systems and weapons.

This could include India’s 80 km-range Astra beyond-visual-range-air-to-air missile, which is under development.

Industry sources told IHS Jane’s that these projected modifications, and the attendant re-certification to accommodate them, would hike the cost of the Rafale deal, which remains unsigned due to the issue of offsets.

http://www.janes.com/article/53244/indian-demands-put-rafale-deal-in-jeopardy-say-sources

Seems like it was just a simple cam copter thing you get at Walmart….

Pakistan military shoots down Indian ‘spy drone’

ISLAMABAD: An Indian spy drone has been shot down by Pakistani military forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Bhimber, Azad Kasmir, according to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.

According to the military, the drone had violated Pakistani airspace after which it was targeted by Pakistani forces and brought down for “violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity”.

The military maintains that the ‘spy drone’ is used for aerial photography.

The Himalayan territory of Kashmir, which is the main contention, between the two countries, is divided between India and Pakistan by the UN-monitored de facto border of LoC. The territory is claimed in full by both the countries.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1194644/pakistan-military-shoots-down-indian-spy-drone

JF-17

remember, he said

low-budget air force which wants a basic 4-gen aircraft

Yup, and for a low budget air force they got a hell of a plane, with great capabilities for a very low budget. Excellent foresight and project management. Considering this was a low cost F-7 replacement it presents great bang per buck.

My friend, everyone in life has an agenda. You do. Other posters do and I do. What exactly is the point you are making. I don’t even think you know. If I post something not to your liking but is not offensive and is relevant to the thread, then with all do respect, I really could not care less what you think….

@Mountain, you seem to be obsessed with the IAF !
You’ve posted this same piece of news twice in two different threads 5 hours apart ..

Id say, step out some time, get a drink, get laid maybe … Such deep obsession is not good. 😀

Mods?

As one line related to Tejas and I posted it on the Tejas thread as well as this IAF thread. Again your posts are characterised by insults.

By the way, the last time you debated me you claimed a JF-17 had a missile drop off after you saw a picture with it carrying one wing tip missile on the JF-17 thread. Impressed you still want to debate after that….