I thin we must look at the mrca bid depending on the time frame, when we started we had the rafale and the f-18 leading as favourites but things have drastically changed now.lets see how things stand at this moment.
the f-18:-
fits well into the IAF conditions,proven plane would make a great combination with the iaf's SU30MKI nad LCA.price not an issue.good and proven weapon systems.
problems:- FULL TOT big problem, aesa codes not to be supplied as of now a big minus.USA policy :- cannot be relied upon.
new technology for the iaf a lot of infrastructure needed, lots of training needed too as iaf has never used much us technology.
biggest problem:- no confirmation that the us will not supply weapons to pakistan in the future,infact the pakistani lobby in the us will get an oppurtunity to ask for more weapons from the us in the name of maintaining balance in the region.
f-16IN :- good plane the best war proven weapon, good weapon system.price not a problem.opens the door for f-35 in the future.
problems:- full TOT not possible.biggest issue is made in US. a very old platform most powers replacing their fighters. new infrastructure needed.spare parts will be a big issue in the future.pakistan already has a detailed look and experience.
the rafale:- great choice,iafs experience with dassault is great.nice weapon systems.french are reliable suppliers.infrastructure already in place.
problems:-a big minus will be the lack of meteor till 2015.iaf wanted the meteor but recent news claims the eu will not integrate the weapon before 2015.not combat proven.,lost all the bids till now.
biggest problem:-the french only cares about money they are willing to suply anybody recently they are supplying the UAE with rafale and considering PAF pilots fly the UAE fighters they will get a good look at the + and -.
problem with the engine even UAE wants an higher thrust engine.
gripen:- good technology, nice weapons scope for much improvement in the future.
problems:-dependent on the US, too similar to the LCA.no experience for the iaf,infrastructure needed, sweden not diplomatically flexible.ful TOT problem.
eurofighter:- great plane, great weapons, good reports from the clients.
problems
rice a big issue.no meteor till 2015,full TOT might be a problem.
E.U. diplomatically inflexible too many clients already supply might be delayed.
mig-35:- iaf has great experience, fully TVC engine,price a big positive.well placed infrastructure in place already.history of indo-russia relations always a good and trusted supplier, full TOT no problem.
problems:- russian history of delayed supplies.too many dependency on russia for spares.weapons package already will be available wit the PAKFA, so new weapons.
now the argument starts:-
rule out eurofighter just because of the price for every eurofighter you can get 2 migs or f-18.
2 super hornets and mig-35 will get better of 1 eurofighter anyday. no additional goodies from E.U.
next goes out gripen:- you cannot make sweden bend on any issue,they are very rigid. they will follow what the US will say, so if you want us tech better to get it directly from the US.no promise that they wont supply our enemies in the future.ssab is supplying pakistan with AWACS.
goes the f-16IN:- Too old already.NEED TO REMEMBER THE INS SHIVALIK issue, the US is not at all dependable they will change any moment.TOT not possible then whats the point.will make india dependent on US a strict no no considering US recent change in policy towards south asia.they continue to arm our enemy with the best tech. nobody needs an f-16 block 52 to fight the taliban why are they supplying then.we need need the f-35 i the future as FGFA will be our 5th gen fighter so no need to keep doors open.
now the top 3 lets see--
the only thing that keeps the super hornet out is the TOT and US policy.if the us policy changes in the near future f-18 the best choice i think not now.
the rafale would be the IAF,S best choice.but imagine the french will not shy away from supplying pakistan also in the future with better tech eg:-agosta and scorpene and PAF IS INTERESTED in the rafale but just cannot afford at this moment.engine issue needs to be solved too.also no meteor thats why i placed at at no 2 and not no 1.
as things stand now MARCH 2009 the mIG-35 is the best choice.
1.can make russia bend on other issues and get much more than just MRCA.
how about a permanent seat in the SCO.
2.great experience of the IAF no problems with the engines or cockpit smoke issue like the mig-29.
3.indo-russia su-30MKI what a beast we can MKI mig israeli and french systems, ready to incorporate any weapons that india prefers.
4.russia has never supplied pakistan with any major weapons unlike the french and the us we can use it to our advantage and get them to stop supplying the engines for jf-17 and j-10b the chinese engines are no good. a big diplomatic victory.
5.capability of the mig-35 not in doubt full TOT with apar/AESA radar.price can be bargained and brought down.again any day 2 mig 35 will get 1 eurofighter or rafale.
6- can fix a deadline for supplies if delayed price to be deducted or fined,will make supplies early.
this is my choice as of now,i preferred the rafale before followed by super hornet but as things stand now the mig-35 WAS THE DARK HORSE no its proving itself.
the next 6 months or a year might change and the choice might also change but this is he best choice now.
1.mig-35
2.rafale
3.f-18
4.f-16IN
5.gripen
6.eurofighter.