Yeah well Scooter I know all this. But sadly the politicians and many of the populace think that Russia is still our all weather ally. I think developing indigenous stuff and buying western weapons as a stopgap is the way to go.

I do not think that the Americans will sell state of the art tech to the Pakistanis anymore. The French will sell Rafale to India and to Pakistan if they pay the cash so will the Swedes. The Russians will sell their stuff to China and anyone who pays, I think the region is going to be full of Su 27 derivatives and will soon take the gloss of our own MKI.

I honestly believe if we buy the SH or the JSF in the future we are guaranteed that it will not end up in China and is very unlikely to end up in Pakistan even.

A broad based alliance with the United States and Japan is the right thing for India at the moment. For it will give India some leverage against China, who will then have a potentially hostile alliance on its eastern maritime border and western border.

We are already maintaining a strong relation with Afghanistan so that the Pakistanis have two hostile borders as well. The worst thing that could happen to India is some sorta anti western leftist alliance coming to power. The chances of it are very slim tho.

Coming back to the LCA, your post signifies the futility of co developing a 5th gen fighter. The swedes may also be willing to do business with Pakistan. So MCA is the way to go 🙂

I saw a documentary which said Harriers are ideal targets for Portable AA like Stingers

Well, you lost me here…………………..as it was the Indian Air Force that stated it wouldn’t except the LCA in its current form. It did leave the door open for a possible Mk 2 at some future date Yet, that would be many more years down the road. Sorry, but respectfully the LCA is sounding more like a long shot by the day………

So, let’s be honest here? If, the Indian Goverment even did fund a “Mk 2” LCA. It would be several more years until it could be made available to the IAF. Even then it may not pass the grade……….by which time it would be obsolete in any case.:eek:

As much as I’ve tried I just can see a case to continue with the LCS development…………:(

I told you the government I hope will force the Air Force to buy atleast 140+ of this aircraft and upgrade them whilst in service. It may be inferior but thats the only way forward.

Which is the better CAS aircraft, the Harrier or the Jaguar ?

I think you guys retired the jaguar too early. I think the Rafale can do a good A2G job though better than F 15 may be not as good as the SU 34 (which is huge tbf)

All you doubters and nay sayers will be proven wrong when the LCA finally enters service. The government will make sure of that whatever the AF says or Wants, me hopes :dev2:

India rather had all their future naval planning based on INS Viky so we just had not re negotiate and swallow the bitter pill.

Sorry I didn’t know he meant dry docked.