The IAF dilemma: To upgrade its Mirage fleet or buy new jets

[Zabaniyah]

It is a total waste of money to upgrade a decades old aircraft. Old aircraft become more costly to operate over time as well. I also think that the French are charging way too much over this.

It is better to buy new ones.

The MIG-35 comes with great features and will be familiar for the IAF. Especially considering Russia has been a long time ally for India.

 

[ramu]

Here is a crazy idea. Shoot me down but have an open mind

We should forget about upgrading M 2000. Irrespective of MMRCA winner, we need to order 30 Gripen NG and use them to learn how we can make Tejas as good as its contemporaries. This bird is cost effective and hugely competitive. It will add a sting in the tail. When I say as good, it is just not about combat capability but the know how to design for easy maintainability, design for easy upgradation, weapons integration, avionics, etc. After all, Gripen and LCA will compete for export orders if we manage to make a good bird out of LCA. And for the LCA fan boys, all I am saying is there is room for improvement.

In the mean time, India should work independently or with Israel on Mirage and come up with IAF wishlists / upgrades in a special project to enhance ADA's skills in retrofitting. This can go a long way and if we get good at it, we may get these chaps to work on MMRCA mid life upgrades too.

Just a crazy thought.

 

[Storm Force]

SCRAP THE MIRAGE 2000

Spend the $2 billion on 40 more rafale = only 4 combat types

IF I WAS IN CHARGE

272 SU30MKI
180 RAFALE F3
200 TEJAS MK1/2

DELIVERY TIME BETWEEN NOW AND 2022

POST 2022 START FGFA

 

[Tshering22]

SCRAP THE MIRAGE 2000

Spend the $2 billion on 40 more rafale = only 4 combat types

IF I WAS IN CHARGE

272 SU30MKI
180 RAFALE F3
200 TEJAS MK1/2

DELIVERY TIME BETWEEN NOW AND 2022

POST 2022 START FGFA

I agree with you mate. Too bad we're not in MOD. But then again if our leaders had the will, India won't have been India anymore would it?

 

[crankthatskunk]

We are morons to upgrade old planes.....BUY NEW TILL WE CAN PRODUCE OUR OWN>

What happened to the state of the art 4.5 generation indigenously built LCA? There is only one way up from 4.5 generation, 5th Generation aircrafts. So are you buying 5th generation aircrafts? If not why are you not using 4.5 generation, state of the Art indigenously built LCA? And why are you saying until we can produce our own? Ain't you already producing your own, indigenous aircrafts, i.e. LCA?

 

[Ammyy]

Screw the upgrades.. get a new fighter, you arent going to war anytime soon.. better to save the cash and buy more newer jets.

Even if we go for upgrade so they need almost 3-4 years to complete their work

I think new fighters are better option may be 126 EFT, 100 RAFALE

 

[Storm Force]

mmrca IS NEEDED big time.

AND RAFAEL fits perfectly. better then the hyper expensive typhoon which lack multi role strike capability.

BUT LONG TERM FOR ME TEJAS MK2 is the most important project

THIS IS 100% MUST TO REALLY KICK START THE INDENGIOUS EFFORT

 

[lepziboy]

or they could just use that money for giving the tejas mk2 program a boost.come on these are old planes why upgrade them?waste of money I say.its better to make our own indigenous capable figther than upgarding old figthers they should learn from mk1 faults and help the mk2 program!

 

[desioptimist]

Whoever is opposing the upgrade, can you please write the alternatives we have?
Can any of them replace mirage in near future?

 

[crankthatskunk]

mmrca IS NEEDED big time.

AND RAFAEL fits perfectly. better then the hyper expensive typhoon which lack multi role strike capability.

BUT LONG TERM FOR ME TEJAS MK2 is the most important project

THIS IS 100% MUST TO REALLY KICK START THE INDENGIOUS EFFORT

Yeah, I agree, but why you need another 4th generation aircraft, when you already produced state of the art, 4.5 generation indigenous aircraft called Teja?

 

[crankthatskunk]

Even if we go for upgrade so they need almost 3-4 years to complete their work

I think new fighters are better option may be 126 EFT, 100 RAFALE

DRDO, this is shameful man, you produced Teja 4.5 generation indigenous aircraft, the world beater and no you are recommending EFT and RAFA?

 

[tvsram1992]

Whoever is opposing the upgrade, can you please write the alternatives we have?
Can any of them replace mirage in near future?

Im not opposing upgrade but Mig35 will be a better than best option for it.
aesa radar,3d tvc,high speed and agile it had a long develpoment from former mig aircrafts...

 

[Storm Force]

CRANK

IAF doctrine landscape ie 4 times the air space of PAKISTAN & ten times the coastline means IAF needs 3 types of fighters ALL TO BE MULTI ROLE

Heavey long range multi role = 272 su30mki

meduim multi role state of the art = mmrca = rafael = 126 rising to 180 minimum

Light multi role for short range & low cost operations = LCA TEJAS

Crank do you realise how big a country india is or indeed the coastline is and the hundreds of india islands like andaman & nicobar. YOU SIMOPLY CANT MAKE DO WITH SU30MKI twin engined fighters. BUT need low cost tejas types too

 

[Laughing_soldier]

DRDO, this is shameful man, you produced Teja 4.5 generation indigenous aircraft, the world beater and no you are recommending EFT and RAFA?

Your and our are different. So do not talk. You can not afford beyond vintage F-16 those are given by US as military aid.

 

[ptltejas]

I prefer upgration with airframe upgradation, If they deny India may think to deside eft over rafale. however they must not said for the same. they concerned with money. Miraj is single engine light weight, good manuvouring plane. Rafale is twin engine mediumbheavy plane. stunts possible by miraj might be not possible by Rafale due to weight and structure.

cost of upgradation will be 3 carore $ each. costliar may be reduced. half price than rafale. why to send this plane in scrape its yet be useful. It might change plane as a whole too. No limited but full upgradation with airframe is required.
I also support desioptimist question.
plz keep it in mind both planes are different. and there is not any news which are orthentic that airforce is confused on any subject.