Alternatives to Dassault Rafale

[karn]

Su-30MKI is a multirole fighter. Not a dedicated A2A fighter. A2A is its core competency though.

India doesn't need a light bomber like Su-34.

The Su 34 has exactly the same role as the Jaguar . The Rafale was supposed to be successor to the Jaguar in the strike role . The Jaguars in the airforce right now cannot cover both CAS and strike missions (as they are too few). The Su 34 is a very viable option . Or go ask/beg the russians to make a strike version of the MKI . A F 15 E type upgrade . But the Russians don't care they like the tandem seat configuration of the SU 24 /SU32/SU34.
On a side note the airframe does not make everything . The Russians themselves are waiting for the Al41 to use on the final version of the SU34 (thats why it is in limited production now). Compared to Rafale the airforce may end up paying a lot more in maintenance due to the low TBO of the AL31s . The other side is the spectra that comes with the Rafale .. According to the internet it the best thing to happen to ECM since Harry Potters invisibility cloak.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

F-35 is the best alternative nothing else comes close.

 

[Pulkit]

?
Are you serious?
F35 is a disaster and it does not meet our requirements at all.

When I talk of requirements it is more than just the ability of the aircraft which is still questionable.

F-35 is the best alternative nothing else comes close.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

?
Are you serious?
F35 is a disaster and it does not meet our requirements at all.

When I talk of requirements it is more than just the ability of the aircraft which is still questionable.

What are the requirements? Tot?

 

[archie]

Or go ask/beg the russians to make a strike version of the MKI ..

Su 30 MKI is a Strike aircraft .. correct me if i am wrong. Thats how IAF designates it. Given SU27 was A2A but MKI is a diffrent breed altogether Quote from Wiki about SU 30 "It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions."

 

[karn]

What are the requirements? Tot?

First requirement would be achieving IOC .
If you think that the Rafale is too expensive I have bad news for you.

 

[karn]

Su 30 MKI is a Strike aircraft .. correct me if i am wrong. Thats how IAF designates it. Given SU27 was A2A but MKI is a diffrent breed altogether Quote from Wiki about SU 30 "It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions."

You need a sturdier airframe and a significant upgrade/changes to avioncs and sensors. Read up on the differences between the F 15 and F 15E and the SU 30 and SU34 . The difference will become clear to you.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

First requirement would be achieving IOC .
If you think that the Rafale is too expensive I have bad news for you.

F-35 would be much more but there would be a whole slew of conditions which
Makes it highly unlikely.

 

[dastan]

F-35 would be much more but there would be a whole slew of conditions which
Makes it highly unlikely.

F 18s without tot?

 

[Otm Shank2]

The best alternative is indigenous merit. it may take some vulnerability but you should bank on the best india can come up with, the mmrca deal budget applied to it can come up with. It may not be up to f22 but your security is in being ABLE. America, China and Russia, the only sole global powers are self sufficient.

 

[Lone Ranger]

Sir isn't Su-30 MKI an air superiority fighter with strike capabilities.. How can it be used replace Mig-27 a dedicated air to ground fighter?

Are we considering something like Su-34 for air to ground role?

Upgraded jaguars and Su 30 mki can do this job easily.

 

[Dark Sorrow]

F 18s without tot?

Less compared to F35 as F-35 is a new aircraft with lot of state of art avionics while F-18 is approaching end of its production line.

 

[Zebra]

F-35 is the best alternative nothing else comes close.

Looking at the buying cost, its cheap too.

 

[Zebra]

Accent on US-Israel Alliance as IAI, Lockheed Launch F-35 Wing Line | Defense News | defensenews.com

Nov. 4, 2014 - 03:45AM |
By BARBARA OPALL-ROME |

....While Lockheed estimates F-35 unit costs at $115 million, Bogdan pegged the flyaway price at $95 million. And by 2019, he said, unit costs should drop below $85 million.

"And that includes engine and profit for Lockheed and its team," he said.....

 

[sorcerer]

India Not Confirming Purchase of Russian Su-30MKIs Over French Rafale Jets

MOSCOW, January 15 (Sputnik) — The Indian Air Force (IAF) cannot confirm media reports of its decision to purchase Russian Su-30MKIs over Rafale fighter jets from France, an IAF spokesperson said Thursday.

"There is no official confirmation about the reports appearing in the Indian media about the Su-30MKI instead of Rafale," Wing Commander Simranpal Singh Birdi told RIA Novosti.

Several local media outlets reported in recent days that India could pull out of a deal with France's Dassault Aviation company on the acquisition of 126 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft and choose Russian-designed Su-30 aircraft instead. Reasons cited by Indian media outlets included France's reluctance to pass on technologies to the Indian side and an increase in the price of the jets.

Earlier this month, a source in the Indian Defense Ministry told Sputnik that the country had not made a decision regarding the purchase of the Rafales.According to the source, Su-30s are seen as an alternative if the deal with France falls through.


India Not Confirming Purchase of Russian Su-30MKIs Over French Rafale Jets / Sputnik International

 

[karn]

Upgraded jaguars and Su 30 mki can do this job easily.

Unless you have found a way to produce more Jaguars that is not really an option .

Looking at the buying cost, its cheap too.

It cost South Korea 7billion USD for 40 F 35 . India will not get a better deal.
If the IAF buys Rafales directly from France that too will be cheaper ... significantly.

 

[Lone Ranger]

Unless you have found a way to produce more Jaguars that is not really an option .

It cost South Korea 7billion USD for 40 F 35 . India will not get a better deal.
If the IAF buys Rafales directly from France that too will be cheaper ... significantly.

IAF have 130 odd jaguars that are being upgraded to drain 3 standard and will serve till AMCA serial production start.

 

[sorcerer]

@ all users

IMO, F-35 though however lucarative is a product from USA.
How well can we trust USA to provide us with spares and support in circumstances? USA can use this to armtwist India , later for its geostrategic objectives.

How well has USAs commitment on spares, support went with its neutral allies (Countries who has position like India) on defence deals.?
@pmaitra, @Ray, @Kunal Biswas, @JBH22 and all others.

 

[dastan]

@ all users

IMO, F-35 though however lucarative is a product from USA.
How well can we trust USA to provide us with spares and support in circumstances? USA can use this to armtwist India , later for its geostrategic objectives.

But Is there even a slightest of chance that obama will offer JSF during the visit? If not, why are we looking at it as an alternative

 

[sorcerer]

@dastan
Well, I am aware that USA wont give it and India wont even consider it either.

Its hypothetical. The crux of my question is the reliability of USA as a reliable partner in defence related trade when it comes to critical security requirements.