DI versions in general are lighter, with noticeably lesser recoil and far more accurate than their gas piston counterparts. The trade off is DI versions causes the fired bullet to retract unburned gunpowder back into the rifle in minute amounts resulting in cleaning the rifle more often. DI versions are also relatively cheaper over gas piston rifles. No wonder IA chose Sig-716i over Sig-716 G2
Never said an AR platform in general is inferior to SCAR or the likes but SCAR, HK, CZ have been battle proven and used by some of the best forces out there. Anyone could make an AR platform and if POF wants to make a cheap rip-off of an AR platform similar to that of those sub $500 AR's and equip frontline troops...that's definitely not the way forward
But if PA pits the PK-18 over the former contenders in a fair trail and weigh the cost differences...that'd be a whole new ball game. I'm all in for going indigenous, be in Indians or our adversaries but not at the cost of jeopardizing the lives of soldiers since we already know both IA & PA troops use shoddy gear. A good infantry rifle is the least you can provide em with