Hmm… replacing 300 a/c with 125. That doesn’t comply with the IAF goal of increasing its sqdn strength.

The rest of the numbers could be filled in with increased LCA orders.

So, contrary to popular belief, the acquisition of M2K5-II could mean an increase in LCA orders. Right now about 250 LCAs are supposed to be for the IAF, that number could then go up to 350 or more.

Originally posted by google
Fantastic idea of the Ohio SSGN conversion. Whoever thought of that should be promoted. Wonder why they’re sitting on their hands now.

No one is sitting on the SSGN conversion issue 😉

The Ohio (726) is already in Puget Sound undergoing refit

http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08726.htm

6000 ppl gave up their lives or were ordered to give up their lives?

The UPGs have limited AG role. There’s a pic of one of them with a TV guided bomb. So the UPG could be used for some CAS ops.

As far as usefulness, I would pick the UPG because of the limited multirole capability, BVR, and HMS+R-73 combo which exists now.

The PGs being newer frames with newer engines also have their advantages as well.

BTW, has there ever been a case of a Mig-21 facing off with a Mig-21 clone?

$1.5 bil also includes the training of IAF pilots in UK along with guaranteed product support for 25-35 yrs. The Brits probably asked a lot for the product support knowing that it was critical requirement for the IAF. Also, the money includes transfer of tech for local manufacture/assembly of not just the airframe but also the subsystems as well.

But, it’s true that it is expensive. That $1.5 bil would have bought 50 more MKIs.

The first jets would arrive at around 35 months after signing of final contract. All of the initial 24 jets should be delivered by 55 months of signing the contract. Then HAL would start producing the rest.

Now these would make a good weapons in FIBUA roles. Probably a lot more survivable than anything else, I’d imagine.