In training, morale, and caliber? Definitely yes, PAF has shown its edge again and again and again over iaf.
An utter myth propagated by many Pakistani members, please provide the examples where the PAF has shown an edge "again and again".
The IAF's training is world class and on par if not superior to the PAF's.
PAF has edge over indian air force on some tactical levels..such as AWACS coverage,
In what way? The AWACS operated by the IAF are FAR more powerful than those of the PAF. Although PAF has more AWACS, this is true.
To be honest I'm
I am amazed!
1. I don't know whether this was IAF deliberately playing with statistics to present what is essentially a bald faced lie to the Parliamentary Panel.
2. Or whether Dassault and Reliance influenced the Parliamentary Panel members directly(bypassing IAF) to do statistical jugglery to force MoD to speed up negotiations.
3. Whether it was collusion between IAF and Dassault and Reliance on this.
But it is impressive the lengths they are going to. Most impressive.
To be honest it is a good thing that the numbers are being misrepresented/misreported in such a way as to downplay the IAF's capabilities, it's better this than the other way around.
Let's cut the parliamentary body a little slack and say they are ignorant and not being directly influenced by Dassualt/IAF (The arms lobby in any nation is always
massively influential) and failing to take into account capabilities and looking purely at a numbers game.
This is still good for the IAF, at a time when most Western nations' politicians are looking at their Air Forces and actually applying quite an intelligent formula of factoring in increased capabilities of the newer generation of a/c (they are saying to their AFs they can do the same with less airframes), the Indian politicians are still in a backwards mindset of looking at numbers alone. This the IAF is going to get the best of both worlds, quality (they aren't looking for 126+ MiG-21s but top-end Rafales, the IAF has acquired a very expensive taste) AND quantity.
Most AFs around the world would love to be in the IAF's shoes- with such ignorant/easily misled politicians such as those found in India and two hostile nations (one that can be described as a constant threat and the other as a long term threat) on their borders the IAF/Indian military can pretty much ask for blank cheques from the GoI.
Going on the figures in the news for MMRCA, 126 Rafaels for $20 Billion( Some Sources Put it at 28-30 Billion $)spread over a time line of 5 years (starting from 2015), that is $4 Billion yearly that IAF needs for Rafales...Looking at the Budget of IAF at $5 Billion Yearly, they certainly need another $4 Billion every year to complete the deal...it might be difficult but not impossible to secure such funds.
The deal is worth $15-16 Billion spread out over 10 years with 10% paid up front. So that is $1.5-1.6 Billion USD a year and with the IAF's budget growing year on year this isn't an issue.
Dear, First please mention where in my post i said that IAF cannot afford Rafales. Deals need money, and that is why your planners are going ahead with this deal because they find it financially plausible. Yes there are many source stating different numbers, but if the time line is 10 years than then definetly there is no problem for IAF.
The $15-16 BN figure was stated officially this month by the IAF and Dassualt. Any reports you see quoting higher than this are entirely wrong.