captonjohn
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Hey guys,
No offense, but I think rather than naming your favorite fighter jets the discussion should be:
1) What is lacking in the IAF fleet (apart from decreased squadrons) that India is looking to fulfill through MMRCA?
2) Which among the six contenders in true sense can fulfill this and NOT just jets with loaded with features to compete with F-22/F-35?
3) Which ones are cheaper in terms of life-cycle cost and maintenance?
Thanks a lot!
Nice question, Here is my answer.
1. IAF is lacking in air superiority which is most important factor in 21st century as well as effective A2G capability. RCS would third need.
2. Now among six contender
F-18 has very effective air to ground capability but it lack in air to air superiority role hence its role becomes limited for IAF needs in which MRCA may need to fight against many fighters of Pak-China air force. Also at present both Pak-China has very limited air to air superiority fighters and hence india can easily get advantage in air to air superiority.
To win future war air superiority is must to hold our and enemy's sky control.
Mig-35 is in its development stage and doesn't meet the needs what IAF wants also there not any big technological advantage seems between Mig-29 and Mig-35.
Rafale and Eurofighter are the main competitor but rafale is also not completely developed and its AESA radar is also in development stage. Eurofighter has advantage in this case because of its developed stage and effective air to air role. Of course it also don't have desired air to ground capability but it may fulfill nearly 90% needs of IAF.
Another reason to win eurofighter may be some strategical and political matters like if India engage in war with Pak or china then US may interrupt its supply which can affect indian capability if india choose F-18 this is negative point of this fighter.
Hence in my view Euro fighter has true potential to win but it could be win-win condition if India choose two fighters for its MRCA. Then it would be Euro fighter and F-18 of course.
3. The third question of cost is important but IAF doesn't seems to compromise on quality over quality hence it is least likely to affect indian MRCA deal.