Destranator
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The main problem with Rafale is that India is likely to become the largest operator once they complete their MMRCA procurement program. Being the largest customer, they could have leverage over the French.J-10C + rafale that's the sanctions proof combo. I don't we can trust the Germans. they would block spares+ammo in the event of war with Mm. Plus we don't have the financial clout of Saudi Arabia.
either case, we will have to spend extra money to develop our own tactical air datalink system. The french might be more lenient on this issue than the EU+UK. (IAF integration of Rafale with S-400). In a way it makes sense to get two western origin fighter types.
yeah western engines have almost double the operating hours (before necessary overhaul) when compared to their russian counterparts. plus western countries cant produce engines out of thin air in the even of a conflict, it probably takes months by which time the conflict will be over.
imo this highlights the need for MRO facilities (for engine and airframe maintenance) to be set up in BD.
ideally we should get ToT for basic LGB (prefferably from Turkey) and integrate it to our fighters, its not the most complex technology.
i hope BD doesn't cheap out (lets be honest, they will) when buying the weapon's package for the fighters.
I prefer Eurofighter as:
- it is overall superior performance wise
- India does not operate it
- BD-UK warm relationship
Having said all that, Eurofighters or Rafales, BD cannot afford to buy enough of either to make them the backbone of BAF. We can afford two squadrons at most which would form a strategic air superiority group to take control of the sky, buying time for single engine fighters to come in and complete the clean up.
The backbone would have to be a single engine fighter.
Whatever forms the backbone will have to endure the full length of the conflict through MRO and local production and assembly of spares.
I am not aware of any precedence of China refusing to supply spares when there is conflict between their customers so J-10C is the safest choice.
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