Although politically the F-15K was a better plane because it’s American and it would be easier to support, although not maintain it would also make more sense to buy it from the guys that saved their ass 50 years ago, however militarily they would not get the Rafale before teh F-15K, the Rafale is better plane overall no doubt about it but the F-15K is a better bombtruck and better weapons come with it.

The last major war in SA was not long ago between Ecuador and Peru, which seem to be involved in an Arms race.

Chile doesn’t seem to be very liked down in SA and they have a long coast and strip of land to protect.

I don’t think they care how it looks as long as it performs how it’s sopposed to.

Chile has a decent AF, I don’t think that 10 F-16blk50 with Phalcons are enough to deter Brazil in the future which already too has AWACS, large number of AMXs and in the future either Su-35s or M2K-BRs. Peru too has M2Ks and Mig-29s which can launch R-77s.

Originally posted by dirtyharry
Gentlemen:

China must thanks israel alot alot to their efforts of helping the J10 project! Because China’s aircraft were taught to be look like russians: J8 China’s Ye152a/ J8II China’s Su15s and JH7 China’s Tornado in Su24’s size. It was Israel helped China building a fighter that met the west standard except the engine was Russian! I dont think J10 will export because China has a great demands over that fighter to replace those J7,J6,J8 those clumsy soviet planes and there wasnt such a reason to do so in the forseeable future!

About the FC1,it was designed to Pakistan soley because Pakistan is a very important ally and the PAF has a very limited funds even they have,the PAF will spend on Mirages first instead. FC1 will provide a quantity satisfication to the PAF.Like the precessors J6/A5/J7G. The FC1 served as a quantites asircraft,so there is no way PAF will get J10.Maybe PAF is talking with Quatar for their surplus Mirages!

What I think is the PLAAF/N is seeking a successor to replace the Flankers. Because J10 is a interm fighter,it doesnt have stealth capability and at most it wasF16C/D block 50 levels China is still behind the schedule if compared to raptor or JSF.The all round Chinese made fighter is due to born in a forseeable future,hopefully will get the one J-XX in next decade.Read more from Kanwa but dont be too serious about Pinkov’s remarks!:D

There is no proof whatsoever that J-10 is a Lavi copy, no PROOF, none at all, even if they look alike. That’s like saying LCA is a Mirage 2000 copy, which it is not but I am just making a point, we cannot judge them based on looks.

The PLAAF is rejecting the FC-1 because there is no space for it, J-10 will replace all the older fighters except J-8 which will stay in service for some time, J-10 too is a low end fighter and there is no need for FC-1. However PLANAF is interested in the FC-1 as it seems so.

It’s not the Mig-21 pilots, it’s the airframe life thats pretty much ran out/running out, it’s done, Mig-21s have served enough.

I’d say they should ground all their Mig-21s, save some money and wait for LCA.

theres nothing that says no twin engined aircraft, just the weight limit. Yes the Mig-29M/M2 is the best option.

Originally posted by PLA
all other options not good enough? F16… We know US deals… Sorry the Pakistnai and Indonesian know it… That should be enough warning if we remember the software delivery for the LCA program. The mig29 is Russian. I don’t think India wants to rely on one delivery. They will go for French-Russian inventory. The french are known and the IAF has some experience end toosl for this bird.

uhhh why do you say because it’s Russian? and what do you mean on one delivery?