first, when one considers that the mig21 is still around, chances are that the mig29 will last for some time too…

then, if you take into account the relatively simple, strong and, yet, upgradable frame (with much more space for avionics than the -21 in the first place), add to that the reducing budgets of most air forces around the planet, and you get a fighter that has a good chance to stay around for a long time

there was some talk about it already, germans offering their F-4s for nothing (or almost)

now, about the use croatia would have of them.. I don’t know… they’d be better off with 2nd hand gripens, methinks, especiall as they probably inherited from yugoslav way of operating fighters (spread more or less all over the contry in case of attack.. which can be done with swedish fighters which were developed to do the same, but not phantoms who need long nice flat runways to operate…

as Sens said… let the competition in again

one thing that bankrupted the USSR was that their productivity was extremely low – nobody had any need to do his best, as it would make no difference for himself. the USA by letting their industries regroup until creating a sort of monopoly (for LM) on their future in the matter of fighters are just getting the same thing… wasting resources on a single project with no end in sight.

terminate the waste and make a new competition where the constructor will have to integrate the technologies at hand (or that would be therein the next , say, 5 years for starters) and let the propositions come.

you’ll get a better aircraft for less money in the end

with a flat array like for AESA, it makes little difference, in fact… to reflect waves back to the emitter, the emitter would have to be straight in front ot the array, otherwise, their waves will be reflected above, or under, or to one side, relatively to them. with a simple test you can see it: put a small mirror on the wall, perfectly vertical, and try to see yourself in it… you’ll notice that, unless you are straight in front of it, you can’t

canting antennae, gives you one positive thing: a bigger array for a given nose diameter, allowing for more modules, or more space between them (better for cooling)

one the things is that india didn’t choose over paper data. they tested the aircraft proposed in different conditions. while jsf parter nations’ governments bought nice words on paper and powerpoint documents, india obviously wanted to judge by themselves.

now, ask yourself, they’ve stated clearly that it would be completely transparent selection without letting any place for politics or any other external influence… on what basis could they shortlist (not even talking about buying) an aircraft that has fulfilled zero of their expectations (normal, they’ve never had their hands on it)?

without even talking about ludicrous price claims (Does LM really expect india to believe a price so low with their record on the subject??? ), I simply see now way it could join in…

now that’s a good one… 😀

imagine, you’re at the olympics, two boxers are in the final, and as they get on the ring, a third one pops up, who never even participated in qualifications and tries to join the fight… I wonder whether the refereee would let him do? :p

Well, the training will have to be paid for I guess, but still! Free aircraft! 😀

actually, since the pilots will fly with the french navy ( basically, serving france), it’s like an exchange program (and there’s obviously something in return), but, in any case, the french may also say “cool, we get some free pilots” 😉

agreed, the F-16 would be the way to go for them, but not sure it’s on the table

europeans probably won’t even bother responding, as, even if they offered the best product by far, SK would choose a US product anyway, so it would be just a waste of time and money

if no f-16 oiffer, they’d better go with the F-15, since it’s available quickly, and would do the job with no problem. what’s more, the commonality of the type in their fleet may reduce overall costs.