We were once considering it but it’s super duper expensive. 22 years ago when the PAF were considering the Rafael they would have been game changers now not so much, this is comparable to JF-17 block 3s and block 50 f-16s
if you disagree please enlighten us how this is a game changer?
KV
Well for starters, India is getting a BVRAAM with the longest no-escape zone of any commercially available AAM today. We don't know how much this NEZ actually is, but the fact that the Meteor is making its way as a standard AAM in UK, Germany, France, Sweden, and now South Korea, we should be weary.
Second, the Rafale is a superb strike asset. The Indians can carry out stand-off range strikes using ALCMs and guided, rocket-assisted PGBs (for low-value targets). Yes, we have the capability too, but the fact that India will have it means that our ground-based assets along the LoC are under threat.
Third, the Rafale brings an excellent ECM capability. Yes, the F-16s and JF-17s have ECM too, fair, but we have yet to deploy a fleet-wide AESA radar. So, our radars are at risk of getting jammed, while India's Rafales won't have as much trouble (thanks to the RBE2 AESA radar).
Fourth, India is going to get its 36 Rafales a bit sooner than the PAF will get its 50-odd JF-17 Block-IIIs. We are still waiting for the first 2 units. Never mind the fact that we have yet to integrate weapons to the Block-III.
Now, I get we hear a lot of self-assuring FB posts about PL-15 or other mystery Chinese AAMs with long ranges, but these aren't facts. These are guesses at best, and hopes at worst.
It's classical South Asian mindset, we can't stand back for a moment and look at prevailing realities using a rational, objective approach. As I've alluded to in another thread, this constant childish brinkmanship does immense damage, and the indians are no less guilty if not even more so. I don't think the PAF are foolish enough to underestimate their opponent.
The PAF has demonstrated that in lieu of acquiring new assets due to lack of funding, they've upgraded existing airframes to meet the evolving threat dynamic - the Mirages and Vipers being a classic example. In the same light, in my view we'll see an AESA/V-type upgrade of the Viper fleet, supplemented with additional numbers if finances and politics allows. In addition, Block-I/II Thunders are likely to receive an AESA upgrade, given the ever increasing numbers of AESA equipped fighters in the IAF fleet, backed up by further EW assets. A two-type hi/lo fleet comprising Vipers and Thunders is the most likely scenario for the next 10 years or so, I can't see any additional types being inducted this side of Azm.
I agree. We don't have to get Rafale/Typhoon to match India's Rafale purchase. For the $$ India is spending on the Rafale, we can do much, much more. However, I fear we lack even that spending power.
In an earlier age, we might have been able to foot an F-16V upgrade, buy 1-2 F-16 Block-72 squadrons, expand the Block-III, and slot in AESA radars for Block-II and JF-17B.
We can probably get all this done for $9 b tops (i.e., a totally new fighter fleet), which isn't a lot if we split it across 5-10 years. It should be doable for a country our size, but we are
soooooo criminally mismanaged, that even the minimum isn't possible.
True story, I heard a PAF person say, 'I don't think we need to upgrade Block-II or JF-17B with AESA radars..." Guy knows in his heart that a non-upgrade is BS, he's only talking it up because, sadly, it might be our only option.
