Amazing. You couldn't pay me to take that deal, even for free! #1, the only airframes that would be worthy of this upgrade would be the 23 block 52s and the 42 or so block 40's that were delivered around 1999/2000 and on. That's about 65 airframes. Let's say somehow the US agrees to the full upgrade (which would NEVER be the case but let's play along for the sake of discussion) which would HAVE TO INCLUDE the big-ticket items such as:
1) AESA radar
2) Advanced glass cockpit and the entire avionics package upgrade which includes the:
a) multi-function color display and that new center pedestal
b) helmet-mounted cueing system (which BTW is worth bupkis without the AIM-9X but we'll get to that later
)
c) high-volume & high-speed data bus.
3) With that new, programmable displays generator they're offering in this package is the new, Link-16 theatre data link which automatically comes with IFF identification friend or foe (which means all the sensors on the nose of the aircraft) as well as HF/UHF/VHF radio communications. So the IFF is the complete system where each aircraft actually has interrogators that can interrogate others to receive an IFF signal, not the fly-by-night system that they currently have. So that's a major part of that upgrade that would be A MUST since they would work with all the Rafales.
4) The new mission computer which enhances not only the weapons systems, but target designation but especially electronic warfare capabilities.
5) GPS upgrade would also be a must which comes with that fancy automated ground collision avoidance system that saves the pilot when he passes out that you and I were talking about a few months or a year ago, remember that, bro? So that's part of that and it is necessary to make it worthy.
6) WEAPONS! Yaaay! lol. I'm going to skip any A2G weapons for now to make this as short as possible but JDAM kits would be something I would super insist on for $40 million I can tell you that for sure! So the package supposedly comes with all the mentioned stuff PLUS the following that we don't have or can be adapted to fire certain missiles that are in the offered package which has a VERY INTERESTING item in it that I will highlight:
a) Magic II and ASRAAM short-range AAMs
b) Sky Flash and AIM-120 medium-range AAMs LOLOL.
c) The high off-bore-sight, infrared AAMs such as AIM-9X
d) AIM-132 ASRAAM
e) Here's the funny one but look how smart the Israelis are to find a way to profit out of this collaboration with the US.....the
Python IV LOLOL.
f) I guess they're also offering an IRST package and I would actually insist on for $40 million. It comes standard on the Su-35 and MiG-35 which the latter costs more or less the same as the entire upgrade, like you said! lol
The US will never offer this as a free package to Egypt through the military aid, we know that for sure. So let's even go as far as assuming the EAF would pay the $2.5/3 billion it would cost to upgrade all those 65 F-16s, they would never agree to supply the AMRAAMs, the infrared short range off bore AIM-9X or the AIM-132 ASRAAM or any JDAM kits. So we have to come to terms with the fact that the F-16 in the EAF is not only incapable of its full potential, it never will be, hence it's a dying platform in the EAF that will need to be relegated strictly to point defense and attack role. And if 36 Rafales is going to be the limit that the French can and will supply (let's even say they agree to the 48), that will be the extent of it. They have too many orders to fill which include India's 36 (possibly 72) and Qatar's 36. This situation essentially dictates the EAF's next move. It's clear as day.
What mistake are you referring to? Remind me please because I don't buy into that whole notion of "making the same mistakes as the past." That's not the case at all. The mistake of the past was to keep getting watered-down versions of the F-16 and never moving to another supplier. Even though we had no choice for a long time, it was the mistake. All the Mirages including the 20 2Ks and all the VIs were purchased before the F-16s started coming. The MiG-21s were in stock pre-1973. The F-4 Phantoms were a disaster. The F-7's were absolutely necessary as it's specifically designed as an Air Guard platform and was used in that capacity. All it did was patrol coastal grounds and was close to the MiG-21F/13 that Egypt had plenty of during the Soviet era, except they were Chinese. So where was this mistake of the past? There was none. It was a situation that Egypt was forced into which is exactly what is happening ATM except the platforms they've decided to get are better options than back in the day, such as the Rafale and the MiG-35.
And there in lies the elephant in the room, Turkey. That's the perfect example because all the regulars keep thinking war with Israel is a matter of time but guess what? Ain't gonna happen, ever. Next war will be with a regional rival such as Turkey. And before any of the Turkish members read this and decide to post entire pages of the Turkish inventory here, don't bother. We're not advocating a war but we are looking at it as a potential, even if a rare one. So in that case, how does the EAF respond to that inventory with neutered F-16s and 36 Rafales and 50 MiG-35? It's way below what is needed to be able to fight a worthy fight. That's were the Su-35 in very decent numbers comes in really handy since not only is it a potent fighter with great weapons, it's a platform the Turks aren't familiar with. This is also the other side of the diversification that we see as a positive and not a mistake.
India is a perfect example of this and it works very well for them. Don't buy that propaganda that they have way too many different systems and that it's a disaster. I think it's absolutely necessary and should be the same way the EAF should go.
