Other than the neighboring factor, what are the pitfalls of F-16?
I understand it has an old airframe. But I see more advantages of it, as it is easier to maintain and cost effective. All other aspects of MMRCA are present in it.
Where does this lose with F-18? (Leave out Naval role).
well the F-16 block 60 as such is a new airframe, the design is slightly different and the materials used for construction are also newer. We as of yet have no idea whether IAF prefers a single or twin engined jet and i am sure IAF doesn't know as well.
Some of the important things that the IAF will look for is AESA, passive targeting, meeting all role requirements, low life cycle costs, good BVR and WVR capabilities, weapons flexibility and volume of fire, net centricity, customization, future upgradability, integration of existing Israeli weapons, usefull ness for all 3 services i.e ability to be used for Army, Navy and Air force particular missions, which means the aircraft has to be a true all-rounder and must be able to pound targets in all regimes, night or day, in all weather conditions and most crucial high altitudes and way below 0 temps. Something easy to fly and maintain, excellent quality parts and spares till full assembly begins in India, source codes or at least the possibility to add to the existing library of threats on the chosen fighter's source codes. Taking into account price, need for further customization at the day of purchase and delivery time ASAP, well i would say the RAfale, SH and Mig could make it to the top 3 contenders. But the mig's AESA has been fully tested and is kinda similar to the Rafale's radar in terms of ranges but Rafale radar is better in the number of threats it can track. if indeed IAF has no issues with owning the F-16IN, well its also likely that its chosen as one of the top contenders. Also depends if IAF wants commonality in terms of engines for LCA and EF/SH.
If IAF indeed wants commonality, both the SH or EF will do just fine and either the GE 414 or EJ2000 will help LCA become a very deadly aircraft. Also lets not forget timing because considering that aircraft trails end april-2010 and price negotiations begin, we can expect decision by end 2010 and offcourse after decision some contenders will appeal against the decision, further delay of two or 3 months, the order will mostly come beginning 2011, assuming the by jan 2011 we place the order the company has to deliver ASAP because by the time the aircraft arrives end of 2013 or 2014, we'd have the lowest levels of fighters and if timing is as crucial as i think it is the company that can delivery the fastest among the top 3 will win and as of yet Boeing's SH line is 3 months ahead of schedule with possibility to deliver on time.
I still think SH remains the strongest in terms of abilities, sure its not as fast or agile as the others yet but the engine will make it a lot more flighty, best AESA, proven A2G and A2S roles, air to air it carries more missiles than the rest to be considered lethal on any given day and i pity the fool who underestimates it even in a dogfight, its a strong aircraft, bugs have been fixed and Aussies will get the first bug free version starting end 2010 ahead of schedule. Sure the others are better aerodynamic performers and no doubt about that but the SH's weapons flexibility, full functional roles, gr8 avionics and best net work abilities give it a dire advantage because even if we have to add to it, there isn't much we have to do except give it the new higher thrust engine which has already been ground tested and possibly a new EW suite which given open architecture can be our very own Mayavi.
We often forget that they have to work in teams and we have very good aircraft playing different roles, mig-29, lca will be our primary air defence aircraft any aerial intrusion will result in immediate scramble of the LCA which will be based at various bases close to border regions. LCA is ideal for visual ID, will be able to fire Russian, Indian and Israeli weapons. Either way, we know that the LCA will be the primary air defense and offense aircraft being small, fast and agile, they will have backing from the mig-29 which is ideal for point defense and will continue playing those roles like always, Jag ideal for AG, deep strikes, low level penetration, fighter support etc. while mirage gr8 for interdiction, CAP, fighter escort, TARCAP roles. mig-27ML again primary A2G, fighter support and ground attack. Su-30mki multirole, primary mission air superiority, key long range bombing missions or key target destruction, SH fits right in with its full scale multirole abilities whether its awacs, precision A2G, maritime strike or maritime defense, ground support or tanker roles, SH is designed for all possible roles a fighter can be used for which is a very powerful thing when they take it to trails. The others will have a hard time to match the things the SH can do in general. contrary to what others say stand off and precision weapons are important and SH is always among the first to receive new weapons.
Now team workers always have an advantage, given its radar, the maturity of roles and decent price SH will impress the entire military and not just the IAF. In modern business terms, a product is either fit or sexy, SH is sexy coz it stands out.
