Which begs the obvious question, “why select a foreign fighter at all if Tejas is so capable”? No offense, but thank goodness fo India’s government-MoD bungling. Makes people living in the US look a bit more fondly upon our own disfunctuonal DoD, Congress.

There were many doubts regarding the LCA project, capabilities and time line etc etc during last 12+ years while MMRCA process went on. We were so excited when Rafale was selected as L1 but following events dampened the mood in GoI and MoD. Like repeated many times, discussion for the deal went on for too long, which gave more time for LCA. During this time LCA got IOC1, final IOC, fired BVR missiles, participated in IAF exercises, flew in Bahrain and since then generated quite a lot positive impression in media and on nay-sayers. Cherry on the cake is pro localised Def. Minister, so older Mig-21, 23 and 27 will be replaced with LCA then Rafale.

To cut the story short, foreign fighter was selected when no local option was there.

^ Russian are busy since 1980+ in one form or another on this project.

Lets see when they will be done with it, personally I want them to succeed as we have mutual benefit in their success.

Was F-16 not dropped by India as it did not meet their requirements in the MMRCA competition?
Also Indians believe LCA to be at par if not superior to the F-16 so why not increase the LCA production rather than waste time in moving the entire F-16 production line to India.

Just doesn’t make sense

It is what French official is suggesting to India. He is not able to accept the fact LCA has reached a state where it will be/is India’s THE only light fighter and will be inducted in big numbers. If not all but most of the existing single engines fighters are withdrawn from active service slowly. Earlier those were replaced by Su-30 MKI. From 2016 on wards, LCA versions will also come online plus induction of one Su-30 sq per year will continue till 2018.

I don’t know why we have so much flip-flop with French, but they have to agree it is a buyer’s market. They are going to miss a big customer.

India has moved away from this deal more then once … It is joke to pay the price of new tech and buy 2 decade old technology e.g. we set the wrong example with Bae hawks deal which took more 15 year. Making a mistake once is ok but repeating is plain stupid.

If 3.5 b$ planes requires another 6-9 b$ of weapons, spares and support for 5 years then it can be as bad as f22 program. Do we have such deep pockets to support it?

If you ask me, I’d rather spend the $12 Billion on:

1. Infantry modernization (India’s #1 need given the proxy war used by Pakistan)
2. Artillery (good for war and peace)
3. Ammunition and spares for existing equipment (IAF, IA, IN) to bring them all to 70%+ mission capable rates
4. PGMs and new weapons and sensors for IAF (eg latest gen radars for 7 squadrons of Su-30s) and better AAMs and Navy (towed array sonars on all ships).
5. More investment in local R&D for 1 to 4.

That to me, is far more bang for the investment than wasting it on 36 Rafales for a single acquisition which will eat up the budget for decades.

Raising Su-30 serviceability from 60% to 70% on a fleet of 270 planes, is equal to 27 Rafales, so to speak.

I could not agree more with you. Sometimes, I am amazed at the logic and working of MoD. Our soliders are dead because they lack basic equipment and protection. And we are wasting bl$$dy 12 b$ on only 36 planes, which we may never use. If we do have a requirement, we have alternate possibilities and capabilities.

Done a final deal on PAK-FA?

I don’t think that Russian Su-35S will be phased out sooner than Indian Su-30MKIs. For upcoming years they are the most advanced asset Russians have.. I expect some upgrade program deep in the future, too.

Totall number of Su-35 will be much less and Russians will move to 5th gen sooner then later otherwise they will lose international market to China. Who would like to spent 50-70 million for Su if they can get J31?

I don’t think India would mind … Iranian having Su-30MKI as long as they keep their promise of hiding special stuff from China and West plus their allies.

Plus like every other country … India will keep a hidden trick in our sleeves.