The pros for the MiG-29 are that the IN will be buying it anyway, its cheaper and many sub systems may find commonality with the MKi assembly line, hence ease of maintainance. As for the cons, the MiG-29 can only carry about 5000kg load compared to the mIrage’s 6000, also the Mirage is well liked, note also that the new versions of the mIg-29s have yet to enter service anywhere else, the Mirage 2000-5s have or are about to get into service with the UAE for example. Dassault spare parts, maintainance, servicibility etc is rated highly in India, in contrase the Mkoyan design bureau is facing financial problems, has not done a good job of providing spare parts in the past etc. I think that the IAf wants the MIrage but under Russian pressure, the Gov is looking at the cheaper MiG-29 but the mig-29 is no strike ac and the MiG-23Bns need a capable replacement a la mirage. Over its life cycle the Mirage should be cheaper to maintain as well. I think that the Government couldalso consider the MiG-29 so as to prevent Pakistan from getting RD-93 engines.

These MiG 21s are loggin around 180-200 hours a year!
You can’t simply ground them and expect 1/3 of your pilots to magically remain top notch. I agree that the main reason the planes are falling from the sky, although this is an exgageration, these Migs have long served their purpose and deserve retirement. India needs to get its act together and set up two assembly lines for the Tejas wen it comes, I’d also go for about 60 Mirage 2000s and buy some more Hawks, decrease IAf squadron levels in the short term if need be but let us get the LCa rolling.

Okay I do not understand why the India comment was made here, probably a flame bailt, please take such bruhaha to ACIG where they actually have looked deeply at who really won what, this is about Pak in Afganistan, India has nothing to do with it. I am sure that PAf has good pilots but shooting down Su-25s, An-26s and strike loaded MiG-21s is nothing to cry home about either and I am sure that the PAF is better than this.

Indian

I ment that when the LCA project was conceaved, the LCA was supposed to make its first flight in 98 and hence by now it would be in limited series production, then came sancitons etc which delayed the project quite a bit, add to that, the inexperience of designing such a complex fighter etc, This means that in the early 90s, the IAf thought that they would be replacing the MiGs with LCas by today, this is not happening yet, I am not blaming the LCA project, its a complex bird and when I look at Rafale and the Euro 2000 delays, I understand why a relatively more inexperienced builder like India would take more time to build an aircraft.

Me thinks that this is the MKI prototype as well

Its too hard to tell what that MiG is lauching, if its the Bison could this be the R-77?

Well here is a contradictory report

IAF to induct 125 more fighters

New Delhi, Feb. 29. (PTI): Indian Air Force is in hectic negotiations with French, Russian and US bidders to purchase 125 frontline multi-role fighters to partially replace about 300 MiG-21 aircraft on the verge of being phased out.

Though the French aircraft major Dassault is currently the frontrunner with its offer of upgraded Mirage 2000-5, aircraft, the Lockheed-Martin is offering technology transfer of its runway bestseller F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The two major Russian fighter companies Mikoyan, the makers of the MiG range of fighters, and Robensoexport, the makers of Sukhoi aircraft, have formed a consortium to jointly bid for the Indian contract, according to Defence Ministry sources here.

The IAF, official sources said, had projected an immediate need for some 125 new fighter planes, with the selection expected to be completed in a few months.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/00229110071.htm