Anyway, since I lost track of this deal, can anyone tell me very briefly what has been decided or the prospects are? I read through everything and its confusing things up

RFPs haven’t been sent as yet. Expect that to happen sometime soon.
Russian and Americans seem to be the hottest contenders at least for the time being.

For the first time, i am begining to think that IAF may have to accept two types of aircrafts as part of this MRCA deal purely because of geopolitical reason and regardless of financial/force implications.

so yup rafale seems to be the obvious choice!

French Govt does not seem to think so, if one look at it in the light of their recent decision to sell Marlin sub with ToT to PN.

Harry is right in saying that Mig-35 does not really bring anything new to India in terms of design/technology. However, it is probably the cheapest option of all, not only in terms of unit price but also commonality, induction, logistics and maintenance. In comparison Gripen is small and short ranged, while EF is very expensive. This leaves American machines as an alternative. Although ToT would most definitely be an issue with them, I have a feeling that US might go out of her way to sell these fighters to India…purely out of their desire to establish a strategic relationship with China and/or desire to contain Chinese power. One only has to look at their handling of civilian nuke tech deal to draw such a conclusion. Finally India might decide to go for a mixture of Russian/American machines (though this would be very expensive if purchased with ToT) for purely political reasons.

So French may not have much of an objection to integration of Harpoon…as long as PN is willing to pay.

Hmmm I guess pakistan must have gifted a submarine to taliban/ Al-qaeda as a part of surrender agreement they signed with them recently.

Totally uncalled for.

In spite of selling MKI to India, MKM to Malaysia and now offering Mig-29OVT with thrust vector technology, why is it that RuAF is not making use of this technology. Or are there any plans to upgrade their existing fighters with such features?

Considering the fact that any fighter purchased as a result of MRCA deal will probably serve with IAF till 2030-2040, would IAF be including any emphasis on RCS/stealthy features in RFP?

Irrespective of russian content in J-10, i.e. engine, there is ample evidence that China has shown willingness to sell J-10 to Pakistan and that negotiations are already underway.

1. As early as 2004, AFM quoted PAF officials that J-10 is available to PAF. If i remember correctly, this article also stated that PAF would send an team to China to evaluate this fighter. I remember being surprised since PAF officials were making these remarks about a fighter which did not yet officially existed in China…not that it does so even now.

2. Unless im mistaken, Gen Musharraf was the first foreign dignitary to be shown J-10 and production facilities.

3. PAF was given govt clearance back in April 2006 to open negotiations with China for purchase of upto 3 J-10 squadrons.

4. In August, Chairman JCSC Gen Haq confirmed that negotiation for purchase of J-10 are already underway.

Regarding Russian content in J-10, we know that official engine for JF-17 is RD-93, and at least for now there are no other solid contenders to replace this engine. Irrespective of many rumours that Russia wont allow FC-1 to be sold to Pakistan with RD-93, Pakistan remains the only confirmed buyer of this machine and China has already signed a contract for 100 RD-93. PAF pilots are currently testing these fighters in China, PAF has already inaugrated facilities for JF-17’s assembly, while Gen Musharraf has said that JF-17 would be flying in Pakistan on Pakistan day (23 March 2007). All this leads to the logical conclusion that PAF would be getting JF-17 with Russian RD-93 in near future. If so, then i can’t imagine Russia raising too many objections about the sale of J-10 with AL-31FN to Pakistan.

Having said all this, i don’t think PAF is in any hurry to buy J-10 yet. They are going to concentrate on smooth induction of their new F-16, JF-17, and Erieye for the time being. Meanwhile, more effort would be focused on upgrading older F-16 fleet. All this would take considerable time and resources. J-10 is not a mature technology yet, and unless something dramatic happens vis-a-vis PAF’s current plans, i can’t imagine them getting any J-10 for at least another 5 years. This also gives China the time to meet her own requirements first. By then J-10 should be mature enough with more advanced avionics and a higher chinese content…even probably the engine. To be honest, i would not be surprised if this fighter turns out to be Super-10 as depicted by Janes instead of ordinary J-10. However, recent presence of chinese AWACS in Pakistan might indicate that PAF may be trying to modernise on East-West model, so any sanctions in future don’t have the sort of devastating effects they had back in 80s and 90s.