I had to think long and hard as to how to respond to your post. I fully understand where you are coming from. However, I want to project an alternative point of view which I think reflects the thinking of the high ups(on the assumption that they have the interest of the nation at heart).
To project my point of view I will present a few facts and let you draw your own conclusions. I am not sure whether I am totally right in my assumptions but if you can see the pattern it leads you hopefully to the same conclusions.
We know the US to be at the pinnacle of production of defence equipment. All its products are really good and ergonomically as well as functionally probably the best. As compared to this the EU products are expensive and equally sanctionable. We found this out when France embargoed our Rose MIrages and delayed the delivery of the Augustas in 2002 in the wake of 2002 sanctions.
We are at the cusp of making our own entry into the technologcal world and have brought out our first plane albeit with Chinese help but now having increasing independence in doing with it what we want to do.
We are in a goestrategic zone where the next world war may well be fought. We have a strategically very difficult task of keeping the raging American bull in check with some cajoling, some greens and potentially also strengthen our reserves against our enemies in return. We also have a strategic alliance with a rising super power and are courting another super power knowing fully well the complexities of such a relationship in the context of the past.
Now look at the situation with regards to the two main systems we have bought from the US.
A. We had 28 F16s embargoed by the US when we were on the verge of achieving the ability to explode our bomb. With the thawing of relations we asked for our embargoed planes back. We got 14 back and we kept to our demands and in turn got the 14 ex JAF planes. In turn we upgraded all of our fleet, made a pact for 36 planes with associated armaments. We got all the armaments, but feigned restrictions and only got 18 of the 36 Bl. 52s which we had bargained for. We had the option for 18 more , but did not exercise it.The 8 extras which we wanted to get did not materializeas US reneged on its bargain of paying for the 60% of its cost with FMF. We walked away.
B. We have long been demanding Cobras till the US told us point blank they had run out of stock of spares and the choppers we have have no life left in it. We go on a spree, check out the Z10, and reject it and settle for the 129s. There is chatter of US restrictions on engines to pak. We make a pact for 15 Zulus with 1000,A toS antitank missiles, which we receive and now have settled for 12 units only.
C. All other commodities we procured have been excess articles barring the ship which we were promised 6 of and could not get more than 1 for a parltry 68 million(for a 4000 tonne frigate). We therefore go to the Chinese and order F22s to fill the gap.
A and B point to a trend of buying smaller than the quantity approved. They are clearly not enough to meet our needs but serve a specific purpose. Meanwhile JFT climbs through multiple hoops and progresses to Block 3 taking into account the ergonomics and advancements of the Bl. 52 and we wait to sign the dotted line for the choppers either with the Chinese or the Turks. If you see the trend it is a very wise way of accumulating equipment at a manageable price while getting a look at newer technology which we would not have been able to do so if we had stuck to just the MLUs or Cobras. The numbers do not matter as the technology against our main adversary is still useable . But it protects us from sanctions .
I hope you can see the trend here the way I have been able to see it. I think personally we wont sign for the other choppers for 12 to 18 monthsa till we have had a good look at the Zulus.
Regards
A
