on one 6th September Tv program there was a war veteran and he said few months prior to 65 war there was an argument between Alam and Rafique at a dinner which aircraft is better in dogfight Hunter or the Sabre Alam was arguing that it isn't the machine its the man in it that matters while...
Did India designed LCA themselves....No helped by French, Israelis and US.
Did LCA got operational ......No
Did Kaveri got into production.......No let alone production it doesn't even work.
Did LCA got local avionics.......No mostly Israeli and French avionics.
The thing i love about Indians is their superiority complex which is hilarious they say F-16 is old look at Block 60 with all its gadgets and datalink systems it leaves SU-30MKI far behind Russians can't compete with US in avionics.Their Mighty SU-30 also flew in 1977 in prototype form and is...
Getting spares for F-16s is not an issue with over 3000 operational around the world there is a big black market to buy spare. Hell if Iran can keep its fleet of F-14s operational after 30 years of sanctions why the hell can't we have done it before during the 90s.
F-16 is a very decent airframe thats why LM is testing new variations. As long as you can put better avionics in it it will remain a potent and relevant fighter in every scenario. Its like B-52 just put new avionics and you get a new aircraft. With the introduction of F-16V variant on the lines...
F-16 will be relevant in near future for USAF they are upgrading 300 of them to V standards with AESA and newer capabilities it will not be retired by USAF atleast 2030 and with delays and problems with overkill JSF F-16 wont be replaced anytime soon.