F-18 for India ?

smestarz

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As per some reports only MiG-35 had passed the cold weather trials, the rest had failed, There are many "news" but no official source. Wish we could get hands on the report that India sent to Brazil. Anyone wth connections in Brazil MoD?

For starters, F-18 failed Leh trails; cold weather.
 

smestarz

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Rafale will not fit due to its non folding wings, but F/A-18 E/F surely will be winning formula for Indian navy, but one important concern is America, Most of the American weapons sold are for "Self defence " and so, had we used say F/A-18 to strike at Balakot, we could have had a very bad letter from American MoD, So it should be clear that if we buy any systems there should be no strings attached specialliy limitations on usage.

SH block 3 may not fit in with Vikramaditya and Vikrant carrier deck lifts, neither would Rafale for that matter.
 
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smestarz

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Just thought to remind you, there is Su-35 in the mix too, and i dont think its that difficult for the russians to provide india specific enhancements.

Rafale might actually be priced too costly to buy in larger numbers.. especially with huge amount of new place to be inducted in the next 2 decades to replace the vintages.

Wouldn't be very surprised if F-18 is chosen. But Mig-35 would need drastic changes to stand a chance, otherwise we are to use 62(remaining)+21 Mig-29UPG + 45? Mig-29K already, both having a not-so-good record.
 

WolfPack86

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F_18 fighter is good plane but we should not trust America. We should buy more Rafale.
 

Bleh

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Just thought to remind you, there is Su-35 in the mix too, and i dont think its that difficult for the russians to provide india specific enhancements.
Super Sukhoi upgrade would take Su-30MKI to Su-35 standard, tech-wise. With new 3D AL-41 engine, it'd be more maneuverable too..

There's no reason for it to be chosen offer Rafale, F-18, Typhoon as medium multirole combat aircraft when we are to have 270+ such fighter that is costly to buy, maintain & operate.
 

mayfair

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It's a combination of both. Rarefied cold air (at high altitudes) makes it more difficult for the engines.
 

Rahul Singh

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Where did you hear that crap from ? It’s definitely not cold weather, have you heard of cold lake airbase, it’s much colder there than Leh
Have you heard of LEH airbase; where IAF conducts cold weather trails of every fighter it intends to induct into service?

What the crap! Don't you know at LEH, the only thing that drops during winters is temperature, not the elevation of the airfield?
 

Indx TechStyle

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Airforce and Navy will again rejecte this like Mk1.
Mk1 didn't meet required multirole capabilities. Mk1A meets multirole and Mk2 meets even specifications.
We don'thave Money as DM said.
Better say haven't allocated. India's indigenization in military has gone up to 65 from 30% and defence exports to $1.5 billion from pathetic $200 millions.

Military budget have been cut down not because we got any shortage but local vendors supplying a lot.
 

Meghavan

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Mk1 didn't meet required multirole capabilities. Mk1A meets multirole and Mk2 meets even specifications.

Better say haven't allocated. India's indigenization in military has gone up to 65 from 30% and defence exports to $1.5 billion from pathetic $200 millions.

Military budget have been cut down not because we got any shortage but local vendors supplying a lot.
LCA want meant to be a Multirule fighter
 

Immanuel

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Rafale will not fit due to its non folding wings, but F/A-18 E/F surely will be winning formula for Indian navy, but one important concern is America, Most of the American weapons sold are for "Self defence " and so, had we used say F/A-18 to strike at Balakot, we could have had a very bad letter from American MoD, So it should be clear that if we buy any systems there should be no strings attached specialliy limitations on usage.
Those kind of self defense clauses are a non starter for them to be purchased and I am sure when it actually comes down to the signing (if at all) no such clauses will exist. None of the platforms bought from the US have such clauses by the way P-8I, C-130J, Apache Block 3, C-17 and Chinooks will be used for any need we see fit.

The US does have access to inspections on demand but AFAIK, this has never been done yet.
 

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