p2prada
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It's 50 aircraft.No need to challenge your brilliance here, as reflected from your post, but you need to see it with a realistic perspective. The "junk" fighter is in service, 60 of them, it will start IFR by this summer i.e the block 2, where is the "ultimate" light fighter?
Your 51st aircraft will be a block 2. Prototypes don't count.
While I am not a big fan of the LCA, I am not a big fan of the JF-17 either. JF-17 has the same ground to cover. Kaveri program itself is going favourably, it simply has lot it's utility in the LCA program. It will be used in other programs instead.I recall the IAF chief (former) categorized it as a 3++ gen fighter in terms of capability. Considering the overbudget and decreased flight characteristics, a mere 6g handling by the airframe, not to mention the ultimate Karevi and MMR radar saga, LCA has much ground to cover.
Only IOC specs call for 6G limit. Once IOC is achieved, the flight envelope will be opened for 8G limit. The 8G limit is not due to structural integrity but engine limitations.
Even if the IAF chief gave LCA a 3++ gen label, it is no different for JF-17. It just demonstrates that a Mirage-2000/F-16B52 level aircraft is not "advanced" enough for IAF's standards. The reason why LCA Mk1 will end up being used as trainers after 2020.
As a matter of fact LCA Mk1 is still much more advanced than what JF-17 will be in its block 2 upgrade. Overall, LCA's future growth is well funded while JF-17's future will depend heavily on exports to other countries which will justify China spending a 10 Billion yen in upgrading it since AESA and the works isn't something PAF will be able to afford for as many as 100 Block 3 aircraft.
Your IOC was no different from our Feb 2011 IOC. As a matter of fact, JF-17 at IOC was simply a flying shell. A basic aircraft without any war fighting equipment. Looking at the delays with Block 2, both aircraft may end up receiving FOC at a similar time, even though JF-17 apparently received IOC half a decade ago.Lastly, the "junk" fighter got IOC within PAF in february 2008, In china, in november 2006.