By 2025, I want to see IAF with

230 SU-30 MKI (2003 to 2014)
100 PAK FA (production starting from 2016)
40 MCA (production starting from 2021)
200 LCA (production staring from 2008)

Not sure about that, the likely mix will be.

200 Su 30 MKI (half of them new upgraded with newer engines, Ibris E & R 77M)

50 PAK FA (replacing the older first batch MKIS and Fulcrums..still in production….Proudction starts from 2019-20)

MCA still under flight testing.

200 MRCA.

300 LCA (270 MK2)

I will also think a fleet of Re Engined DARIN III Jaguars will still be service, Mirage 2k and Fulcrums will be phased out.

That’s true RAC MiG conducted quite some changes, including additional hardpoints and new fins as well. Yet it is still a further modified MiG-29M.

Why don’t you say that it is a modified Mig 29 rather than that its a modified MiG 29. If extensive changes don’t mean much then you should say MiG 29 not other versions of it.

Whats with all the crashes as of late?

Older Airframes probably. RIP to the pilot.

Originally Posted by aurcov View Post
Yeah, sure…I can bet than when EF will have an AESA, the EF consortium will proclaim that AESA is the only decent radar for a fighter and the MSA is primitive…

So true 🙂 🙂

http://www.bookya.de/autor/Bill+Sweetman/

The related topics do show the wide scope of Bill and the support he got.
None has to share all his opinions, but he does know his writing. 😉

Yes he is an excellent aviation Journalist. One of the best if not the best. But does he know about the strengths and weaknesses of the F 35 better than the Air Forces which chose the plane. The answer is a big NO, not with level of access he has got. 😉

Never believe the USAF then what about small countries, European countries, some of them in recession opting for the F 35 instead of other platforms. Do you think the people who evaluate a plane has less information than a journalist (or your army of detractors) you can say civil servants ? what access do they have to classified information ?

The only problem i see with stealth is the procurement/operating costs but its already perceived to be far lesser for the F 35 when compared to the F 22 :).

The above said is true Sweetman and most of us can only guess with what is available in the public realm, while they guys who do the evaluation (like the Norwegians and now the Dutch) are all going to have classified data available to them. I would also consider them experts in the field….:) (ie. the guys who actually do the evaluation, scientists, pilots, economists)

Let’s have a forum poll.

Who do you believe?

(a) Bill Sweetman

(b) Scooter

(c) Neither.

I believe USAF, RAF and a host of other Air Forces who believe in the capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F 35 and has committed their future strike force to the same. I believe the countless scientists and researchers working for them (The Airforces and their tech evaluation committees etc) over any single journo however good his reputation. 🙂

So the answer is b. 🙂