IAF is going to buy 2 types of medium weight fighter jet one is rafale and second is most probably F-18 E/F or the upgraded F-18I.. and PAF haven't chose anything to counter them.. is there any fighter jet other than f-16 to counter rafale and f-18?
@MastanKhan @Windjammer @volatile @ACE OF THE AIR
It seems India is still struggling to find the right choice of aircraft to fulfill their needs. MMRCA raised a requirement of 130 aircraft. Today after 10 years that requirement has increased to some thing over 200 aircraft.
This delay has also had an impact on the Indian Navy. Recently they have decommissioned Harriers without having any replacement in sight.
SAAB was looking to enter the Indian market hence they went over board unknowingly they played a hand in the trials of F-18's. This is going to cost Saab dearly because the India would not buy them. If they would buy these aircraft then LCA would be doomed.
As far as Pakistan is concerned India having both Rafales and F-18's along with Mig 29, M2K, Su-30 and Jaguars, would be a concern but those would be a major concern for the Chinese.
What can be done?
There are 3 options in the short term and 2 options in the long term...Which one is selected would be up to the PAF's threat perception.
Short term solutions are EFT, SU-34 and SU-35.
Most members think that PAF would be going after J-10B or J-10C but they have to understand that the Chinese Engine is not mature...Russian would only allow a more powerful engine once PAF selected a Russian platform (4sqd minimum).
EFT though expensive is far superior to what India has or would have. The issue is EJ-200 or EJ-220 might end up in China.
This problem can be solved if PAC acquires capability to modify the JF-17 without the engine being sent to China for the necessary structural modifications. Or PAF decides not to incorporate these engines on JF-17 at all.
One has to be very clear PAF F-16's are going no where...They are here and would be available. Replacing them with additional numbers of JF-17's or any of the short term solution is also not possible.
The F-16's would be replaced by long term solutions....
Long term solutions are J-20,J31, and TFX...
This is a most logical way forward for PAF....
Any order today by India would come by 2019-2020 and complete by 2030. J-20 / J-31 would also follows a similar schedule for the Chinese and if PAF enters this project then it would be on the same schedule.
F-16's of PAF are supposed to be replaced by 2025-30 which falls in line with the schedule of TFX.
So for some time IAF would be loosing aircraft and replacements would not be arriving at the pace they would want. PAF till that time is well ahead in developing JF-17's and ordering any aircraft it wishes.