Wow!!
is this pic for real?? what are the f-22s doing in pakistan? I didnt think they tour around like the other planes.

Taken in UAE

IAF employee shoots himself

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/In-Brief/590736/

I do not think you understood the concept of a forum and neither should you dictate others to accept your opinion as facts. The MKI was not in full mode and did not even participate as real a2a asset. I think that says everything. Let us forget the discussion cause it is going to make neither of us happy.

Insig, have you not learnt yet? Any criticism of IAF is “unofficial”, “not approved”, “made up”……..

retired members of the military
till it became known
last point is ok

On point a) I meant the Col was taking his info from USAF pilots, not teh audience he was adressing. Sorry for teh mix up

Hi Rimmer … no contradiction at all. Not sure anyone has a problem with off the record sources … but the Colonel in question was wrong in his facts … plain and simple. Also, any off the record source must be credible. The gentleman in question was unrelated to the day to day operations. The fact that the US clarified their position on his remarks clearly indicated how little significance they attached to his remarks.

We could go on and on. The basic issue here is that there has been stunned disbelief that the Indian Air Force was actually better than the mighty USAF at Red Flag. In a sense it was … if you look at mission launch rates and possibly the relative no of air to air kills … but is this, in itself an accurate way at looking at these results ? No … because these were large force engagements where the IAF and the USAF fought together, when in the same team, and sometimes against each other depending on how each specific exercise was designed.

For me, as a journalist having covered any number of these joint exercises … its clear that there is no doubt among professional air forces on the ability of the IAF in operating together against the best of the West. Similarly, the IAF values these joint exercises immensely … they are a true test of where the IAF stands in its own learning curve. Where the IAF probably has an edge (in an AWACS environment to be sure) is in its platform … there are those who believe that the Su-30 MKI is better than the F-15C and the F-16 Block 50 in air to air combat in BVR and WVR combat assuming the pilot can effectively use the platform. Its a more even contest when AESA equipped F-16 Block 60s and the like are concerned.

Thanks

Vishnu

Being a professional journalist does not mean one does not have his own bias of view of things, as I am sure you will appreciate. I think it is unfair to dismiss USAF sources whilst giving unquestioning credibility to Indian ones. It does not make for good journolism (no offence!)

a) From the video the Col spoke to USAF pilots
b) The USAF had no problem with his comments till AFTER the IAF complained about it. Of course they will release something to keep their new allies happy.
c) I dont think anyone is “stunned” by the IAF pilots. Certainly not USAF and RAF pilots who have encountered them. They come across and professional and competant, as one would expect.

Point very, very well made Logan! :diablo:

I am sure they do, although thats not the actual point Insig was making.