^^ I believe this is where the concurrency plays its part.
The F-35A is still far from (combat)ready.

The F-35 has already hit IOC and is only ~2 years from FOC with the full complement of internal and external weapons. Compare that to the timeline of the various Eurocanards…

Sorry, I haven’t seen a reasonable argument against what is provided by anyone here yet. Yes some of the figures fair on the good side for the F-35 but the same can be said for segments of the assessments on the Eurofighter and SH.

As for evidence… we have a 111 page report of what is far and away the most comprehensive assessment of the three airframes we have seen in the public sector. You claim that I refuse to see the evidence but what you have provided is nothing of the sort, merely expressing a point of view without any supporting documentation…

Thanks, that really improves the quality of your argument…

Here we are after people have had plenty of time to dig into the report and the best anyone has come up with so far is “this doesn’t match my expectations.”

Really the fact that nobody is even trying to argue the capability assessments and is instead focusing on maintenance/sustainment strategies says a lot.

India to select fighter jet under ‘Make in India’ by March: Manohar Parikkar

I wonder if they have learned anything from their previous failed procurement efforts… like setting realistic goals perhaps?

Not much discussion of timelines yet, if this article is accurate it suggests another motivation for keeping the Gripen C around is that it will be a very long time until the Gripen E is a mature offering:

The Gripen E test aircraft being rolled out Wednesday is expected to make its maiden flight around the end of the year.

Swedish Air Force E’s are scheduled to reach initial operating capability in 2023 with full capability set for three years later.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/05/18/gripen-e-debuts-saab-reports-continued-interest-c-variants/84537568/

So 2023 for IOC and 2026 for FOC? Ouch…

Yes it looks like very 1980’ish. I understand the circumstances, but what will Saab roll out next year… A revamped Tunnan?

You mean it looks like it might be an upgraded 4th generation fighter and not a revolutionary 6th generation super plane?

its nearly the same size as the f-16, but weighs more than the f-15. check it out yourself the empty weight.
the chinese j-31 is what the f-35 should’ve been.

Based on what? Its cool black paint?

I am very surprised by the EF AI rating. I thought it was widely agreed to be bettered only by F-22.

The DCA score is the all important (to people here) air to air score.

In that category the EF safely beat the Super Hornet, but still lost by a margin to the F-35.

A have never seen any French claim the Rafale was a game changer but don’t let that little detail disturb your rant..

They may not have used the words “game changer,” an idiomatic English expression… but they do claim the Rafale is the best at… everything.

When the RAFALE programme was launched, the French Air Force and French Navy published a joint requirement for an omnirole aircraft that would have to replace the seven types of combat aircraft then in operation.
The new aircraft would have to be able to carry out a very wide range of missions:

– Air-defence / air-superiority,
– Anti-Access/Aera Denial,
– Reconnaissance,
– Close air support,
– Dynamic Targeting,
– Air-to-ground precision strike / interdiction,
– Anti-ship attacks,
– Nuclear deterrence,
– buddy-buddy refuelling.

These requirements were taken into account from the start of the RAFALE’s development, leading engineers to invent an aircraft which goes beyond the needs of each type of mission.

Versatile and best in all categories of missions, the RAFALE is a true “Force Multiplier”.

The RAFALE has exhibited a remarkable survivability rate during the latest French Air Force and Navy operations, thanks to an optimized airframe and to a wide range of smart and discrete sensors. It is slated to be the French armed forces prime combat aircraft until 2040 at least.

(Note, bold is per original source)

http://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/defense/rafale/omnirole-by-design/

:rolleyes: