Hi Haanzo, let me start my answer with this
IT IS A MULTI ROLE FIGHTERit has a wide weapons choice similar to paveway series
I never denied that MKI is a multi role aircraft, but I think you will agree with me, that it doesn't mean MKI is equaly good in all roles right?
All MMRCA competitors are multi role aircrafts, but with different focus and capabilities on a2a, or a2g role. EF, Mig 35 and also the MKI are mainly designed for a2a combats (maneuverability, long range radar and weapons) with added a2g capabilities, whereas the F18Sh is clearly the least capable when it comes to maneuverability but maybe the best in a2g (weapon package, payload, specialised avionics and defense systems, numbers of a2g weapons that can be carried). So beeing a multi role aircraft doesn't mean MKI is as good as F18SH, or Rafale in a2g role.
You mentioned the Kab series that are guided bombs, comparable to paveway, or AASM. But these are only available in 500Kg, or higher weight versions for MKI, which limits the use and carriage.
MKI can carry 6 x Kab 500, or 3 x heavier once, in comparison the Rafale up to 5 and 3, the F18SH even 7 and 4, but the real difference lies in the field of smaller bombs of 100 - 400Kg. The MKI can carry a huge load of up to 32 of them on triple pylons, but only
dumb bombs, whereas the Rafale, or other western fighters can use smaller guided AASM/Paveway bombs aswell (Rafale can carry up to 12 of them on triple pylons).
For heavy bombings with dumb bombs, or with heavy weight guided bombs the MKI is a great fighter, nobody denies that. But with the disadvantage of larger RCS and the lack of smaller precision guided bombs in any deep penetration strike mission behind enemy lines, striks on small ground targets, or SEAD the Rafale would be more preferable!
That's why I said the mix of MKI and Rafale would give IAF different fighters with different capabilities and weapons, for different roles and would not limit them by having similar fighters with similar capabilities and the same weapons.
I agree to the rcs point but your figures are not accurate do you know that RAM coatings are used on the MKI and the rcs is close to 2.7-3 sq m ----by your words you dont believe russians use ram coatings---wake up and smell the coffee.
I know the MKI uses RAM coating, but if you search the net to compare RCSs, the most common number for Su27/30, or F15 size fighters is 10 - 13 m². RAM coating can reduce the RCS, but I doubt that MKIs RCS is reduced to the numbers that you provided, because the Su 34 is claimed with a RCS of 1 - 3 m². It uses RAM coating aswell, but also an improved airframe designs to reduce RCS, which the MKI doesn't have. Anyway if you have a more detailed sources about MKI and it's RCS, I am always happy about new infos.
mig-35 or rafale ---the choice is left for the iaf but i would personally like the rafale but mig-35 would be the fastest and the cheapest chioce -----HOW??...lets say they have used mig-29 for 20 years and they know the platform very well so tactics and ease of integration will be the highest ,the existing weapons CAN BE USED
Of course the choice is left to IAF, but Mig 35, or Rafale means to me to pretty different aircrafts!
One upg a2a fighter with some added a2g capabilities that our MKI already provides, so chosing more MKIs instead of new Mig 35 would be better the better choice. The Rafale instead is a new designed aircraft with focus on low RCS and multi role capabilities! Very maneuverable through canard design and a good t/w ratio, good a2a weapons, high payload, many weapon stations and good a2g weapons, combined with latest avionics and defense systems.
In a2a, imo it will be pretty comparable to the Mig even without TVC, but in a2g it is clearly superior.
Btw, the Rafale was designed with the Mirage 2000 as the base and can also use all weapons that our M2K, or Jags already uses + the same Mica and AASM that the upg M2K will get. So when it comes to integrating the Rafale into IAF, I doubt that it will take much more training, or additional costs for weapons. Not to forget that we already co-develop the Topsight HMS with France and that they offered to integrate a co-developed Kaveri-Snecma engine into the Rafale. Advantages that no other vendor can offer and means more indigenous techs that can be inclouded!
