Im sure, most AFs conduct cost/benefit analysis.:)
As for being good enough, only time would tell.:) Every AF has its own requirements, and whereas we are yet to hear from China about FC-1 (if you have any evidence to the contrary, then please share…otherwise its a personal view…right?:D), PAF has already placed orders for a few squadrons and indicated its requirements going up to 275.

I remember reading this in tphuang’s blog that the Chinese were supposed to buy 250 odd FC 1s but now that plan is dropped and they are concentrating on the J 10s and 11s.

http://china-pla.blogspot.com/2007/10/jf-17-and-plaaf.html

Yes in effect like I said, not good enough for Chinese service but cheap enough for Pakistani Service. And the perspective customers include the likes of Zimbabwe, which means that cost not effectiveness is the priority.

When was the last time that a country made an aircraft entirely for overseas sales ? At least they could replace the old J 7s ? That is provided that they excede the capabilities of a J-7. May be it do not and thats why they are not being inducted.

:rolleyes:

This is where I slightly disagree. If Im not mistaken, there was not much (if any) backlash against congress in recent state elections…and if so, I dont know what political pressure there is on them.

State politics are different. Delhi for example was very well governed and Rajasthan very poorly governed by the BJP, they offered SC status for many in their election manifesto and failed to deliver leading to disruption of peace.
Its the same all around the world my friend, when people feel less secure they turn to the conservative right, when they are fine they are more centrist, liberal.

I think they are finally waking up to the reality and getting BVR capable aircraft and AWACS systems. But by the time they are acquired IAF should have its 3 Phalcons and over 160+ MKIs.

With the MRCA to start delivery in 2013-14, I think the Indian dominance is going to continue.

Will the Chinese be willing to share/sell their fifth gen fighter to Pakistan in the future ?

Well, we’ll find out tomorrow…wont we?
There is almost zero chance of any strike/s, for one simple reason. No one knows about Pakistani response. Even surgical strikes would more than likely receive an unprecedented response, and it wont take long for the whole thing to flare up into an open war. US is one thing (attacks in tribal areas have Pakistani blessings), but such an attack by India would be something totally different.
To get any advantage, IAF has to assure the destruction of any targets (terrorism-related of course) at the same time. Max India would ever do is one surgical strike to test out Pakistani response…and any such effort by India would negate them any advantage.

So all in all…while rhetoric will continue, things are unlikely to materialise on the ground at a heavy scale. Any full scale war with Pakistan would probably push Pakistan into the stone age (my personal opinion), but India’s dream of becoming a global superpower will have to wait for a long time…I belive manmohan singh mentioned 20 years or so.

While i agree with that whole heartedly. The airstrikes if India carries out will probably be more of a political decision than a strategic one as the government is under big pressure.

I think in case of an Indian air strike (which is very much on), we will clearly see the capability of both the airforces. I do not think PAF has the resources to conduct a retaliatory strike deep inside Indian territory. :D. Then again i think there will be losses to IAF when conducting such a raid, probably owing more to SAM.

Oh well i like Western and Russian stuff and Hate Chinese copies :D, guess everyone has their own view then.