I find that interesting. For sure the nbr are probably off but the scale of it, the order is interesting.

Note that comparing Surface to Air and A2A proved inadequate. Your S400 having lower performance that an IRBIS or a ZASLON.

AIM-9X Block III is largely driven by the need to have six BVR shots (4 x internal AIM-120, 2 x external AIM-9X-III) on the F-35C, so that it can actually make some kind of a fist of the “fighter” part of the strike-fighter mission. It’s not SH-related specifically.

You can wrap dozen of advanced AAM around a telephone pole and still not call it a “Fighter”.

The stealth sneakink hability is part of the design. You can’t simply put it aside and compare it to your favoured brid.

Are you serious?

From an AN124 (150t + Volume) at 100M$* to an A400M (30t less volume) at 150M€ ? That would be weird.

When you go after a family van do you first try a Fiat500 ?

*Wiki – sry

Of course – with modern weapons there is no need to get down close and give the enemy a chance to shoot you down with a shoulder-fired SAM.

I read 75miles.

It makes sense to support Iran in its fight against ISIS. It make even sense to help the IrAF to sustain the tempo of operation.

However, the F1 is still a potent threat when it come to sink ships. It would be of a weird strategic vision to let them getting more of those assets for now.

There might be some other options like helping them to refill their stock of parts for their fleet or even helping them to sustain their fleet of F4/F14

Let us read the news once again..

The UK are considering sending RAF GR4s to Northern Iraq [reconnaissance role] to provide surveillance for incoming humanitarian aircraft.
I somehow can’t see how a targeting pod fits into this equation…

I agree but why does a GR4 have to do with the surveillance for incoming […] aircraft if it is not to make sure that the flight corridors are safe of any Surface to Air threat?

As of today, there is no ISIS Air Force.

I am sure that the RAF apply stringent policy with the sighting accuracy of their recruited pilots, but isn’t it straightforward to envisioned the use of the “Targeting” pods for the “Surveillance” mission?

This has been practiced earlier with much success.

Anyhow, I think Eagle got the right answer.

two thoughts.

One its probably a welcome relief to the UK and US that there aren’t lots of journalists able to cover exactly what is going on (for the first time in decades).

Secondly I think I was wrong about the B1B carpet bombing things. Slowly slowly catchy monkey.

I am curious to know why the Tornado fleet was sent without RAPTOR and just a targeting/imaging pod……

I have the idea that because the Tornado is a two seater can loiter relatively low and fast and have an excellent imaging/targeting pod, reliable and of renown for its top accuracy, it can make a difference in the number of casualties among civilians (targeting mistake, human shield and what ever will come out of the sick mind of ISIS fighters). definitively the GIB is also of importance here.

The recent Gaza (still ongoing as it seems) campaign might have shown that imaging resolution is now a key word in that kind of crisis for politicians.