salarsikander
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I am afraid could also elaborate on that ?APEX
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I am afraid could also elaborate on that ?APEX
Why Lockheed Martin's Bid to Build Lethal F-16 Fighters in India Could be a Game Changer
Danny Lam
August 12, 2016
The US Air Force and those of other NATO countries are phasing out F-16s much sooner than anticipated. This implies that performance of F-35s has met expectations, and that there are no obvious show-stoppers to ramping up production as fast as budgets allow. The F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 production lines are all slated to close by 2020. But there is more to this deal, as it has the potential to alter the balance of power in South and Southeast Asia over the next decade.
Lockheed-Martin’s “Made in India” deal, which offers exclusive rights to manufacture and produce ‘Block 70/72’ F-16s, implies that few—if any—orders are expected from NATO countries. India will have a veto on sales to sensitive countries like Pakistan and Taiwan. This deal is being “finalized”, though no deal with India is a done deal until cash arrives on the barrelhead. But suppose it moves forward, and Indian F-16s are produced in quantity starting in 2019 or 2020. Depending on the technologies transferred or made accessible by India, there is considerable scope to update and upgrade the F-16 to achieve a degree of equivalence to stealth-by-other-means, so as to be competitive with state-of-the-art and relatively stealthy Russian and Chinese fighters. Those upgrades will likely find a ready market with the world’s F-16 operators.
The F-16 deal can be used as the cornerstone to develop a domestic Indian military aircraft manufacturing capability with considerable export potential. This would give China pause before risking a conflict with India, and put China on notice that its arming up Pakistan—to include the transfer of nuclear weapons know-how—is threatening India. Until now, China has not paid much of a price for this Maoist-era strategy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
Developing these technologies and capabilities can give India the option of expanding arms sales to other Southeast Asian states which presently operate a mix of poorly integrated or wholly unintegrated American, European and Russian equipment. Beyond that, there is the option of Indian arms sales to Taiwan in response to a major provocation or conflict with China. Integrating these weapons with appropriate upgrades and acquisition of a few key pieces will challenge Chinese dominance of the South China Sea. To wit, the sale of BrahMos cruise missiles fundamentally altered Chinese strategic calculations toward Vietnam. Modest sales of relatively inexpensive (at $3 million each) air-, land-, ship- and submarine-based cruise missiles to Southeast Asian states disputing the 9-Dash-Line claims would effectively make those waters a no-go zone for major Chinese surface combatants or shipping. The BrahMos and the F-16IN would thus constitute a key component of a low cost, high leverage anti-access and area denial strategy against China.
Dr. Danny Lam is an independent researcher based in Calgary. The opinions herein are the author’s. This piece first appeared in the Defense Industrialist blog here.
Image: Creative Commons/Flickr.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/th...ns-bid-build-lethal-f-16-fighters-india-17329
So... lets suppose, if the deal goes through (which will probably happen).
What would be India's options about French/Russian jets.
I do not expect India to operate Russian Su-35s, French Rafael and USA F-16s at the same time.
Additionally it will force India to join the USA camp (as if it is not already happening), but it will give USA a powerful card to play, India will then be forced to serve US interests.
For example, just a few months ago, India/Indians were not interested in joining the SCS dispute, but they appear to be convinced now.
I wonder what changed.
India needs to induct 400+ aircrafts in the next 3-5 years.
India would not procure SU-35s as India is going for the 8 Billion dollar deal to upgrade SU-30MKIs to Super Sukhois.
Also 60+ PAK-FA would be procured until FGFA is ready
Both RAFALEs and F-16s are going to be inducted in the next 3-5 years.
So Russia, European and American jets, all three in a single air force, doesn't seem like a good strategy.
Why do you need F-16s if you will get Rafale.
Rafales are better than F-16s.
Right I'm closing this thread. Many senior Indian members have rubbished this as hear say, and listed extensively the reasons why it will not happen, and that India is not interested.
“We have been advised not to consider this as an MMRCA extension or competition – this is completely different than anything – than MMRCA. Yes, it’s about the capability of the aircraft, of course, but this is more about the eco-system,” she said.
India already operate Russian and European jets...and if USA gives a good deal then why not US jets giving Tejas already uses American engine. See the thing is that India is buying 36 Rafales off the shelf while in an entirely new deal, 100+ jets are to be built in India( these jets could be anything, more Rafales, Gripen, F-16IN, F-18SH depending on the selection but my opinion is that these will be low cost jets like F-16IN or Gripen)....and yeah Rafale is better than F-16IN but again they are 2-3 times more costly....so better go with hi-lo mix in my opinion....few sqds of Rafales + Rest of F-16s/F-18SH/Gripen will serve the purpose.So Russia, European and American jets, all three in a single air force, doesn't seem like a good strategy.
Why do you need F-16s if you will get Rafale.
Rafales are better than F-16s.
IAF has an authorized strength of 42 squadrons and this is how it would meet that desired strength.