I think if India chooses a US type for its MRCA then the ASRAAM can be used on that as well.

Python-5 should be a good option because its already being purchased as a SAM. and what about Su-30MKI, is it still going to have original version of R-73.

Boeing P-8I deal is signed, 2.1 billion for 8 aircraft. nearly the double the price initially estimated to.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India_US_ink_largest-ever_arms_deal/articleshow/3934357.cms
deliveries should begin by 2012-2013. Same time when P-8I reaches IOC.

is it possible that boeing will supply aircraft to India and USN at same time? or will USN get their initial order delivered first and then to India.

Indian Navy is going to have so many different missiles from so many different countries.
1. already purchased air launched, ship launched Uran; sub-launched, ship launched Klub anti-ship/land attack missile and air launched Kh-31P/A (for Mig-29K) from Russia
2. ship launched Brahmos and in future air launched/sub launched
3. Sub launched Exocet for Scorpenes
4. air launched Harpoon for Jaguar, P-8I replacing Sea Eagle.
5. Probably another light anti-ship missile like penguin for Naval Helicopters meant to replace Sea King.

i read reports of IAF opting for ASRAAM in Mirage 2000 upgrade deal. does that indicate something about MICA??

BTW i haven’t heard of F-16 being shot down by another fighter. So IAF could possibly be one of the first airforces to achieve one in future conflicts.

Personally, I would love to see the LCA succeed in IAF Service. Yet, at what point should the Indian Taxpayer say enough is enough? The LCA is suffering major technical problems with its powerplant and aerodynamics. Which,will require hundreds if not billions of dollars more to resolve. Further, this will take at least several more years of developement. Even then its no guarantee of success………….Really, my criticism of the LCA doesn’t make me Anti-LCA, IAF, or India as a whole. My hope is only for a strong India and wasting great somes of resourses on a design that will be obsolete by time it enters service. Is just a waste that could be better spent elsewhere…….(i.e. MMRCA, Project 71 Carriers, etc.) IMO:rolleyes:

Its Strange, Gripen has the same engine as LCA, Swedish are happy & so is South Africa. Mirage 2000, like LCA is a delta fighter had much lower thrust to weight ratio and IAF liked M2K very much.

So why is IAF asking for more power? Or is it that LCAs weight had increased by many hundreds of kgs than what was intended to be ? or LCA is having some design problems which led more drag and subsequently it could not go supersonic in those arrakonam tests.

yes, but country’s defense R&D depends on total defense budget. look how many fighters IAF are going to buy, repair, upgrade as well as development of advanced UAV, UCAV, MCA, PAK FA they r tlking about.

sometimes back i have read an article about IAF’s lack of strategic thinking/planning, it seems really correct. why we need a new MRCA, when we have huge number of MKI (230 totally)? If they need more fighters, why dont simply buy more MKI which is much cheaper than MRCA (126 for $ 10.4 bn)and put rest of the money in R&D of UCAV and MCA?

OK, if they need something like next generation sensors, we can surely get some (15) F-18G or Rafale (with Spectra) to get advanced EW and sensor suite. Other things like 5th generation avionics, AESA, stealth we can get from Israel, France and Russia. There is no need for huge fighter aircraft deal………………

one of the reasons could be lack of trust in LCA program, especially the timelines.