Why not? F-35 should be the replacement of Mig-21; Mig-29 (any type) and Jaguar. Nice to see it on the Vikram.
“Big” land-based fighters the MKI and later the PAK-FA MKI. So, in the end the IAF should have just 3 types.

Because of Indian suspicion of the US. And may be because they may not sanction its sale to us as it requires clearance from the govt. It will also be considerably expensive than the 29ks.

even at 89.1 million per piece that is a real possibility. 6-10 of them would not be beyond our means.

Like previously pointed out in this thread, LCA programme got the go ahead only in 1989 and was set back with delays.

From an operational point of view lets talk from the time of the first flight onwards, ie post 2000.

It has undergone nearly 1000 test flights and converting from MK1 to MK2 is not rocket science and the F 404 and F 414 share some common elements, although we may need small structural changes like the Gripen NG has over Gripen.

MK2 would be ready for serial production by 2013-15

Will China enter the frame if India is at war with Pakistan. I doubt it very much but its possible for them to play a role just by building up troops and sending PLAAF patrols near the LAC. Which would mean forces would be diverted to the Eastern Front as well.

India will need its allies too. But who can we trust ? I for one do not think the Americans would wage a full scale war with China, even if we are allied with them, they may not even risk it even if the Chinese take over Taiwan.

The best help we can hope for is logistics.

Your foresight is pretty poor if you cannot see it entering service in the foreseeable future.

It is not a total failure even if its scrapped tomorrow.

That is a gorgeous airplane.

Well if its fit, and provided they sell it to us, it will increase the legs of the Mig 29 Ks :D.

JSF on IAC is like my dream. Probably will not happen, then again depends on the evolution of Indo US relationship and like Scooter said it makes more sense to the STOBAR IAC than the migs or hornet.

Personally, I would be surprised to see F-35B’s and CV-22’s in Indian Naval Service at some point……………Which, would be ideal for a ski-jump carrier like India’s forthcoming IAC’s.:D

Then again the Cv 22 looks huge even with their props shifter upwards. How many can Vicky/IAC carry and that would limit the number of fighters i think.

Indians are torn in half mostly. While most acknowledge the superiority of the JSF and American Avionics and Radar in general, and the possibility of the sale of Russian stuff to China, they are reluctant to play ball with America, as they are afraid of lack of ToT and seizure of supplies when in conflict.

I don’t know abt ToT but, Americans will be very dumb to stop the supplies and close a lucrative market for years to come. :rolleyes:

With all due respect to the performance of the J 10, no one really knows how good the Chinese avionics are. They are prolly going to get trashed in BVR by most Indian jets if not the LCA.

And how will Advanced F 16s and a bunch of J 10s give Pakistan any sort of advantage ? The MRCA and the MKI have a huge advantage over the non AESA f 16s they are getting. J 10 may look fancy but it has Chinese avionics, while even the LCA is going to get a better radar :D.

China always relied on massive numbers, and will continue to do so in the future. They can put 500 J 10s against 200 MKIs, but Pakistan’s doctrine is different, they will need to have a qualitative edge over our jets to stand any sort of a chance and currently the J 10 do not have any in BVR….may be against Mig 21 non bisons perhaps 😮