i am all for it.
india has roughly 3 squadrons each of these. both are being upgraded. while mig 29s will be upgraded to SMT standards, mirages will go to M2K - 5 standard and both are frontline aircrafts and will take on any aircraft in the neighbourhood.
IAF has extensive overhaul facility for the mirages, which were built,
in the hope of procuring more of these aircrafts (post Kargill).
remember the present MMRCA contest was originally was only for procuring mirages!!!
on the other hand Mig 29s have been in operation since 80s and still have lot of life left in them despite IAF flogging these. here again IAF has extensive overhaul facility for these too. added to this HAL already manufactures RD-33 series 3 engines - under license, basically for the airforce lot.
however considering 45 Mig 29K's on order for the Navy, it would be feasible and wise to arm the SMT's too with RD 33MK's, which, besides improving on the smoke factor (which was a negative with RD 33's in the past) also improves the engine life significantly. this will mean commonality and reduced cost overall and effective in the long term.
IOW any additional Mig 29's need to be Mig 29K standard.
besides familiarity with both means no added infra burden for training purposes and easy move over too.
Russia and France have been extensive partners with indian armed forces and IAF finds, IMO, both to be reliable and committed partners.
logistical, maintainence, spares, commonality and training wise procurement of these 2 aircrfats will mean -
1. less financial burden on IAF.
2. optimum use of existing infra.
3. ease of training and moveover for the pilots.
the money
thus saved may put to better use on LCA mark 2,
possibly with redesigned wings and landing gear for better internal fuel and more hard points
ala gripen NG, and AMCA in the future.
any new aircraft via MMRCA means added burden in terms of creating a whole new logistical footprint, maintainence facilities, training methods/simulators besides inventory related problems and a huge cost.
it is understandable from technology POV that MMRCA does bring in some factors. this again is moot considering India is already collaborating with Israel on many projects (where india lacks) which may be utilised on these very machines to keep them up to date.