If we are to develop our own 5th gen fighter, then it will be inducted in year 2040
If an alternative is not found then we will be facing shortage of 250 aircrafts by 2030 rather than 120 aircrafts at present
If not the PAKFA, then F35A will be inducted US has shown full willingness to supply F35A
In such a scenario India wll order 64-80 F35A off the shelf from USA
Since Navy has stated F35C as its first choice and plans to order 36-48 F35C provided US is willing
Navy has to decide by 2020, regarding what aircraft to buy for INS Vishal
We don't want to have a situation where Vishal is without adequate Airwing for first 2-3 years
Navy only has 2 choices
F35C or Rafale M
Since quantity required is only 36-48, it makes sense to go with something IAF...
No one would be killed
But Bangladesh shoud prepare to take back 3-4 Million illegal Lungis hiding in West Bengal
Because if BJP gets power in WB which seems to be the case
Muslims could be at the receiving end
Somebody post the pic of Kamorta class
The Lungis need to understand what India Considers a Corvette
Maybe then they can stop bragging about their second hand Italian fishing Trauler
Every major warship inducted post 1997 will get Barak 8
The only exception being Saryu class OPV which despite being capable of being fitted with Barak 8, wont have this missile
I will say it again
Only the Indian Navy will classify a 3500 Ton warship as a corvette
With the kind of equipment it...
I am sure you are aware that the Squadrons which fly the Su30MKI, earlier were equiped with Mig21 and Mig23
We have replaced 6 airwings comprising 14 Sqds of Mig21 and 4 Sqds of Mig23 with 5 Airwings of Su30MKI comprising 12 Sqds
If you look at our purchase history over last 20 years
Then you will see that India always places follow on order once initial contract is completed
I do expect a follow on order for 36-44 Rafales to be placed around year 2020, if only because the Ruskies screwed the PAKFA
Also I expect a third...
I think Saudis are yet to understand the. Gravity of low oil prices
At current rate , the House of Saud is loosing 84 Billion USD a year in forex reserves
At this rate, their forex reserves will go down to the level of Pakistan by yr 2024
I am not saying that their will be repercussions
But
We will not do anything that will undermine the Nawaz Sharif government
Rest everything is on the table