Money is a key element to any rebuild. I think they would like to acquire more modern types. The Mirage 2000 would be a great start. Recent ties with China could also see a market for the JF-17. I do not think the U.S. will sell the F-16 or the F/A-18 to Argentina, out of keeping the U.K. happy. The option to order C-295s and even newer C-130s becomes available with more money. Argentine Naval Aviation will probably give up it’s fast combat jets in any situation. The RN is way too tough of an opponent to face with an aged carrier and a handful of ships.

The Gripen is the best bang-for-buck option for any air arm. 12-18 of these, along with competent crews, will form a credible air defense. Diplomacy can be used to deal with the Eastern neighbor. A decent naval presence will keep any potential enemy wary of potential action. An air arm, alone, cannot support an entire nation’s foreign policy. The Western neighbor, with the islamic terrorists, needs to be kept at bay. Some ISR assets need to be kept alert and in good practice. A C-295 or even innocuous PC-12 can be used for reconnaissance purposes, to this end. If needed, a Gripen can deliver a precision strike.

As a Child of the 70s the TSR2 was something of a Shhh don’t mention it, especially at the time when I recall the NimrodAEW being shut down.

So please respect a genuine question regarding the type.

What sort of weapons load would it likely have carried, the mega thin wing doesn’t look as though it would take much underslung? Where the intakes are, was there an internal carriage capability and again what types likely would fit ?

Thanks.

The TSR.2 certainly would have carried nuclear weapons internally and may have been around to see the advent of precision guided munitions. I would have loved to see a TSR.2 in 70’s RAF green/grey camo c/s.

I can also see a TSR.2 in SAAF colors. The SAAF did order a similar aircraft from the U.K.

Anigrand makes a very expensive resin kit.

http://bit.ly/115Ez1x

The MiG-23 was fast, that’s about it.

More interesting would be that you only had 10 000 000 liters of fuel per year to use and 200 000 000 usd for the planes.

I would opt for a lesser number of airframes for an increased amount of flying hours.

My first question would be “how much do I have to spend?” Based on that, and some restriction against buying Western hardware, I would probably go the following route.

24-36 New-build and updated Sukhoi Su-35 Flankers. If funding permits, involvement in the PAK-FA project would be sought. Ideally, a dedicated attack component would be fielded around 18-24 Su-39 “Super Frogfoot” aircraft. A small number of A-29’s would fulfill the CAS role alongside the 39’s, but also serve as advanced trainers.

Primary training would be a private sector role. Screening can be done on one or two upgraded Cessna 172’s, purchased on the open market. Those same Cessnas would be liaison aircraft.

The mission of the Air Force would primarily be to preserve the sovereignty of the nation’s air space. Tasks like transport, maritime patrol and reconnaissance would be secondary, but nonetheless important.

Transport would consist of a dozen upgraded Il-76MF transports with a smaller number of CASA C-295’s, which would also have a secondary SAR mission. A custom version of the Il-112 airliner would be fitted-out for the maritime patrol task. ELINT/SIGINT would be a home-grown package installed into a cargo variant of an Airbus, Embraer or Tupelov commercial airliner.

The tried and trusty Mi-17-series helo would form the backbone of military rotary-winged aviation. Shipboard and navalized helo operations would be taken on by the Kamov Ka-28/29 series of helicopters. Small numbers of Ka-228’s will fill the light observation and liaison roles. A UAV/UCAV version of the Aerospatiale Gazelle would be developed for recon and attack.

Would French equipment be out of the question? France is where nations go that cannot or choose not to buy U.S. and decline against Sino-Russian hardware.

I can see Iran wanting to push through with its own fighter programs, even if its obsolete.
not talking about their stealth wonder 😉

Right. I forgot about super stealth fighter.