There is one way to split the order and still reduce the number of aircraft in IAF and that is to let the navy order a different type.

I am not sure i got you there. The NAVY is not part of the MRCA. It is getting its batch of Mig 29 Ks and an additional batch is under consideration. The N-LCA is the other aircraft. So far Navy has not expressed interest in any other aircraft.

The other half is going to be phased out by the next decade or so. Atleast that remains the plan. I cannot envisage LCA. MMRCA and PAK FA entering service without retiring the Mig 29s and Mirage 2000s. In the case of the M2Ks whatever we get will be old and refurbrished its good as a stopgap but not ideal as the MRCA.

The ACMs reduction of types to three or four ( he clearly stated this in an interview to Aviation week) and he also mentioned the types as MKI MRCA and LCA.

How many are equiped with the latest AESA radar. The answer is very few. The export versions are not equipped with them like the F15 K. It has its benefits like you said higher range and payload. I think the latest European fighters atleast equal it. If the Americans were so comfortable with it then they had no need to go for the Raptor and JSF.

some good news…

Full squadron strength in eight years: Air Chief

K.V. Prasad

By 2010, IAF will have integrated command

IAF will launch own satellite by 2010

Pakistan having F-16s not an issue: Air Chief

BANGALORE: Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major on Thursday said the Indian Air Force would have its full sanctioned strength of 39 squadrons in eight years and asserted that operating at lesser strength did not compromise its fighting edge.

“The programme of phasing out, upgrading and induction is being carried out in a concerted manner without losing the combat edge. We should be able to reach 39 squadrons by 2017 and will have what we want and more by 2020,” the Air Chief said at a press conference here. All air forces in the world went through this process, he pointed out.

Emphasising that technology was at the core of any air force, he said there was a conscious move to reduce different kinds of aircraft from the present varied inventory so that ultimately, the IAF would have fewer kinds of combat and transport aircraft and helicopters. This was essential for better management of both the aircraft and weapon systems as it was a challenge to manage and maintain a varied inventory.

By this June, the IAF would connect all its 165 operational and other nodes through a secure fibre optic network while work on the voice and data net was also progressing well. By 2010, the IAF would have integrated command and control systems linking its entire operational data links to network platforms sensors, command and controls. The IAF would launch its own satellite by mid-2010.

Asked about the preparedness of the IAF in the wake of reports of China building infrastructure across the Indian borders, he said: “We have our force deployment in a manner which caters for all likely adversaries in a situation of low intensity conflict.”

To a question how the IAF looked at Pakistan having F-16, he said it was not an issue as he knew what Pakistan’s F-16 was capable of. It was not the aircraft but the type of equipment, including weapon systems, that was important and the capacity to tweak the system, exploit it and employ tactics.
Radars

He admitted there were gaps on low-level radars in the country but the IAF had them in key areas.

As for the threat perception from unused airfields in the country, he said it was for the respective State governments to keep surveillance.

On the Light Combat Aircraft, he said trials in cold weather and weapons firing were over and it should be operational by late 2010 or early 2011. The IAF had placed an order with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 40 indigenous LCA ‘Tejas.’

http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/15/stories/2009021555181100.htm .