There is more to it as well - at the end the Block-3 is a smaller jet with both size and power limitations. So while it can engage the Rafale at the ideal range and capabilities of the PL-15 with its kit and go toe to toe with it in air to air - it’s going to only be able to achieve that over Pakistani airspace.If this really was the case then PAF would have ordered more B3s rather then going in for J10s.
They didn’t because they have the real performance data available to them.
Because of smaller size, power transmission is a severe limitation on B3 radar. And radar power is the most important factor in its range. Moreover, radar is just one aspect. The sensor suite package is bound to play a bigger role in the overall performance of an aircraft in a hostile airspace. Rafale can pack-in more stuff and provide power due to its bigger size and load carrying capability.
B3 being better than Rafale as an overall package appears a far call.
More so in the absence of the factual information on electronics inside B3s.
The J-10C is such a kit that it can go inside India and (in planning and training) maintain air superiority within Indian ADGE to allow PAF OCA to be carried out by either itself or other PAF assets.
Again, these are all hypotheticals but that is the reason for the J-10C (somewhat different for the initial J-10A idea of being a M2k strike type for the PAF)
Nothing to do with the J-10 - if anything, the LCA buy is a godsend for all the poor Mig-21 pilots who finally have their prayers answered. The LCA isn’t that high on the PAF threat matrix partly because its not considered an offensive asset. Neither is the Mig-29UPG for reasons best known to the PAF(and IAF)HAL begins flight trials of LCA Tejas Mk-1A
LCA Mk-1A is an upgraded version of the LCA Mk-1. LCA Mk-1 reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 2020.indianexpress.com