Why has LM failed miserably to convince the IAF/MoD to buy F-35? It should be easy- with the Russians’ price escalations, constant delays, ToT issues etc. I mean surely the F-35 could fulfill IAF’s 5G fighter/MCA roles combined.
The latest rumours suggest the Indian version won’t start development for some time yet, but even at the 11th hour they don’t sign for the F-35. Why?
Could it be they have seen the PAK-FA and are impressed with it’s potential? Isn’t “substantial” Indian funding the ultimate endorsement?
After all, it was designed to match the F-22, something MiG 1.42 failed to do.
No one has convinced anyone anything. The biggest selling point of the F 16IN is a future upgrade to the F 35. The F 35 is not offered to India as of now because of reasons which include American clearance, time frame for delivery etc. The PAK-FA will give us Indians a good level of ToT which can help the development of MCA. Americans don’t even let the Israelis change the radar so there’s the catch in that. If we select F 16 IN, the F 35 will be a good fall back if **** hits the fan with regards to the MCA/PAK FA. And we can afford to wait for the PAK FA for the latter half of 2010s because the MRCA and MKI will be capable of dealing with every existing threat in the region. We are not going to war with the Americans.
Yes PAK-FA makes more sense to people because of the ToT and experience of co-operating in such a programme.
Us getting it or not getting the F 35 won’t change that its a very good aircraft and you won’t see me talking about the ‘inferior flight performance’ of something that is not in service yet. I believe the test pilots some of them very reputed that it handles as good as a clean F 16. That is good enough 😎
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