MRCA News & Dicussions (IV)

[vikramrana_1812]

F-16IN Super Viper

The F-16IN Super Viper is a unique new fighter sharing a heritage with the world's only fifth generation fighters – the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor. Evolutionary integration of fifth generation technologies makes the F-16IN the most advanced fourth generation fighter in the world today.

This ultimate fourth generation fighter is tailored exclusively to meet or exceed all of India's Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirements. The F-16IN is the right choice for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and is ready for integration into India's infrastructure and operations now.



The ability of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to incorporate the latest technologies into the F-16IN is the key to expanding mission roles and improving combat capability, therefore creating the most effective multi role fighter today. With a robust upgrade capacity and the continuous insertion of technology, the F-16IN can be readily equipped with emerging capabilities throughout its lifecycle.

The Super Viper has the most advanced technologies and capabilities available today on the international market. It is truly the ultimate fourth generation fighter with all it brings to the battlefield.

Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar
The Northrop Grumman APG-80 AESA radar is the only AESA operational in the international market today. This revolutionary all-weather, precision targeting sensor has been exported by the United States government and is defending a sovereign nation today; no other MMRCA competitor can make that claim. The APG-80 AESA radar provides outstanding situational awareness and detection; ultrahigh-resolution synthetic aperture radar mapping, fully interleaved modes of operations with automatic terrain following; and air-to-air tracking of multiple targets.



See a 3D Virtual Reality View of the F-16IN Super Viper Cockpit

Net-Centric Warfare Capability
The fusion of net-centric operations and onboard data provides a total battle space picture and optimizes mission accomplishment. The F-16 was the first multi-role fighter to incorporate a data link capability, and the IAF's Operational Data Link (ODL) can be integrated onto the F-16IN when available, ensuring interoperability with other IAF aircraft. Data integrates through all phases of the mission – from mission planning, navigation, communication and target prosecution to return to base – transforming the pilot from an aircraft system manager to a tactician.
Modern, Full-Color, All-Digital Glass Cockpit
Pilots receive easy-to-interpret information via the all-digital cockpit and helmet -mounted cueing system. The large color displays are capable of fusing data from on- and off-board sensors, reducing the workload and enabling the pilot to focus on the mission.

Advanced Survivability Features
The low radar signature of the F-16IN reduces detection by enemy radars. Its single-engine design has smaller infrared and visual signature than twin-engine fighters. The internal electronic warfare and towed decoy systems, provided by Raytheon, avoid or defeat the most advanced threats. Raytheon's combat-proven EW systems are deployed on F-16 aircraft worldwide. Superior agility and excellent pilot situational awareness reduce vulnerability to attack, while critical systems redundancy and shielding enhance survivability.


Enhanced High Thrust Engine
The F-16IN offers the highest thrust engine in the competition, the General Electric F110-132A. It has 32,000 pounds of thrust with an unprecedented record of safety, reliability, maintainability and durability.The F110 incorporates the latest technology, including full authority digital engine control, for maximum fuel efficiency and performance.

Safety, Reliability and Maintainability
The F-16IN is the most reliable, maintainable and safest multirole fighter in the world . . . based on more than 13 million flight hours in peacetime and combat operations. Also, our support approach provides the lowest life-cycle cost and is consistent with existing IAF maintenance practices.

Proven Combat and Operational Effectiveness

Over 400,000 combat hours
More air-to-air victories (72-0)
Over 100,000 combat missions flown
Over 2,200,000 ordnance delivered in combat
Over one million operational sorties in support of the Global war on Terror
Lockheed Martin understands that meeting the specific needs of each partner, the company insures that the F-16 maintains an unmatched record of program performance and mission success. India's partnership with Lockheed Martin can provide access to the highest technology, opportunities for technology co-development, low-risk licensed production, transfer of technology, and opportunities for extensive long-term business. The Super Viper facilitates a key strategic partnership with the United States and the U.S. Air Force including joint training, logistical and operational concepts.

Also, Lockheed Martin has a proven history of successful partnerships. The F-16 is the fighter of choice for 24 nations with 52 follow-on buys, including successful international licensed manufacturing of 928 aircraft. Lockheed Martin's worldwide industrial partnership success is unsurpassed by anyone and includes these accomplishments:

Establishment of four highly successful international F-16 manufacturing lines
Demonstrated ability to transfer advanced technology successfully
Over $37 billion in offsets realized by 40 countries
Establishment of indigenous international support systems
Joint technology development for international markets

 

[vikramrana_1812]

US offers its latest fighter to India

old Article but good info.. http://way2online.com/?p=10044

The US has offered to India yet another sophisticated defence system, this time its fifth generation F-35 Lightning-II fighter aircraft.


The "possible sale" of this aircraft, which is still under development, was mentioned in the past "if the Indian Air Force (IAF) purchased the F 16 Super Viper for its Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) requirement."

But according to a report in the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, Lockheed Martin, which manufactures these both aircraft, has now made a presentation without this condition to the Indian Navy for its carrier-borne aircraft requirements in about seven to eight years from now.

India Strategic quoted Orville Prins, Lockheed Martin's vice president for business development, as saying that the presentation was made after a Request for Information (RFI) for newer generation of aircraft was received from the Indian Navy recently.

Prins pointed out though the company had been authorized by the US Department of Defense (DOD) to make the presentation, its sale could be done only after a bilateral agreement between Washington and New Delhi.

Arms and weapon systems are developed by private companies in the US with government funding, but the DoD controls their sales. Foreign military sales are undertaken after clearance from the Department of State.

The US is steadily emerging as a new supplier of sophisticated arms to India, which urgently needs to replace and augment its mostly outdated Soviet-vintage systems with the high technology weapons of the 21st century.

Only last month, India placed Letters of Request (LoRs), or firm orders, for 10 long-range strategic lift transport Boeing C 17 Globemaster III aircraft for the IAF and 145 Bofors ultra-light M 777 howitzers for mountain operations by the Indian Army.

Originally a Swedish company, Bofors was sold in 2000 to the US United Defense, and later to the US arm of BAE Systems. The Indian army is badly in need of various types of artillery guns and its acquisition process has been mired in one problem or another for years now.

According to Air Marshal Ashok Goel (Retd), India has less than 20 IL 76 heavy lift transport aircraft, and although they have served the IAF well, they would need to be replaced in about ten years or so. In April 2010, the IL squadrons with the IAF will mark their 25 years.

Prins said that Lockheed Martin was also offering the "the world's most advanced ship-borne anti-missile system, Aegis, to India" and that presentation on this had also been made to the Indian Navy.

Apparently as a technology demonstration, the US had used the Aegis system to shoot down a satellite in February 2008 by firing a Raytheon SM-2 missile.

India has already acquired 12 artillery Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) from Raytheon under a 2002 deal, which was actually the first arms transfer to India by the US after its embargos following India's 1974 and 1998 nuclear tests.

In 2008, IAF placed orders for six Lockheed Martin C 130J Special Operations aircraft, with an option for six more along with training and infrastructure development package.

Prins said that the necessary transfer of equipment and training was under way and that delivery schedule for the aircraft will be adhered to as per the agreement.

The JSF is a fifth-generation aircraft, to be used by the US Air Force, Navy and Marines, and perhaps will be the last manned aircraft by that country before unmanned, high-powered long-range drones and helicopters fully take over the skies by the middle of this century.

Notably, India has already signed an agreement with Russia to develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft and it is due to be inducted into IAF by 2017. It is not known when and if this aircraft will have a naval variant.

 

[vikramrana_1812]

As Far as the production lines for F-16... USA Promises TOT, setting up production lines in India

See link..

 

[vikramrana_1812]

Northrop Grumman AESA radar - A Technological Marvel

Northrop Grumman AESA radar - A Technological Marvel
By Sucheta Das

A contender in the MMRCA race, Lockheed Martin's F-16IN Super Viper equipped with Northrop Grumman AESA radar seems to pave the way for a production base of the aircraft in India

[ Download ]
Global Security Company Lockheed Martin is looking forward to create a production base for F-16 IN Super Viper in India. In a press conference organised at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, on May 26, Lockheed Martin officials claimed that the F-16 IN Super Viper offered to India is the best creation of the company and has been designed keeping in mind the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF). And the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, a key feature of the F-16In Super Viper, is a technological marvel.

The symposium was organised by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with Northrop Grumman to brief journalist about AESA radar, an important component of the F-16IN Super Viper, which is one among the six contenders in the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) race. The aircraft has successfully completed the field trials of the IAF in September last year.

Claiming that the AESA radar is the best, Northrop Grumman officials said, "Our technology is the latest and it will take another 5-7 years for others to catch up with us. With time, we have been bringing technological changes in the radar."

According to the company, a discriminator in multi-role combat aircraft when network operations are unavailable, the AESA radar is operational friendly and has the ability to maintain tracks on targets while continuing to search for new contacts and also while allocating time to perform air-to-surface operations such as on a surface target or even a resource intensive task like radar guided terrain. It has increased reliability and has enhanced capability as a next generation fighter for the modern battle space.

David Wallace from Northrop Grumman gave a vivid description about the AESA radar and its capabilities. He said the AESA radar has active electronically scanned antenna, provides important situational awareness and detection, has high resolution synthetic aperture radar, etc.

On being questioned about their opinion on the Transfer of Technology (ToT) as asked by the Indian Government, the company officials said that they are prepared for the ToT. "We have to work within the fabric of US laws. We have a robust ToT programme which is in line with the requirements today. But it is a government-to-government issue and is not just the decision of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. It is between the US and Indian Government," said Wallace. He further added, "This is the not the first time we are going to produce it outside the country of origin. We have produced it in Belgium, Turkey and many other countries."

Air Marshal V.K. Bhatia, Editor, SP's Aviation, asked the officials to state the differences between the radars APJ- 77 as in F-22, APJ-81 as in F-35 and APJ-80 as in F-16 Super Viper IN. The official said that the basic difference lay in the antenna that is fit on the nose. While F-35 is round, F-16 is slightly cut and F-22 has a bigger nose. It depends on the antenna to be fit in the airframe. And is custom designed to fit into the customer's requirements. On being asked about the capabilities of the radars, they said the capabilities are almost similar and the difference is largely in the power aperture. "Individual customers look for different requirements. The IAF has asked for some individual capabilities in the APJ80," said Wallace.

Answering to SP's Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal's question on the growth potential they foresee in the coming 5-10 years, the company representatives said, "It will be difficult to say, but we foresee dozens of customers." With regard to partnerships in India, Wallace said, "We have had words with many companies in India who have strong capabilities as ours. They include Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Centum Dynamics and many other companies who do not want their names to be revealed." At present, UAE operates 80 F-16s with Northrop Grumman APG-80.

Mike Griswold, Director, Advanced Development Programmes, Lockheed Martin said, "We have been working in India since years. There is enormous potential in India for future production and it has been our ongoing effort to work in partnership with both public and private sector companies in India."

 

[Soumya]

Media needs to be realistic

What times now reported about mmrca contenders narrowed to eurofighter and rafale was not true. They should investigate properly before making any conclusion.

 

[SATISH]

What times now reported about mmrca contenders narrowed to eurofighter and rafale was not true. They should investigate properly before making any conclusion.

I think you are not exposed to the Desi Dumb Media....

 

[EagleOne]

As Far as the production lines for F-16... USA Promises TOT, setting up production lines in India

See link..

and for f-18 also they agreed for strating up a production with some tot

 

[vijay jagannathan]

yOU GUYS( f-16 SUPPORTERS) MUST REALLY HAVE A LOT OF SPARE TIME TO DISCUSS YOUR FANTASIES. YOU HAVE GONE AROUND THE WHOLE WORLD AND COME BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED. f-16 WAS THE FIRST PLANE STUCK OFF FROM OUR LIST FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

---AND oH ONE MORE THING YOU FAILED TO ADD TO THE f-16 PROUD LIST OF ACIEVEMENTS--- IT IS MOST PILOT ERROR PRONE PLANE AMONGST THE CURRENT CONTENDERS. AND I WILL LET YOU IN ON ANOTHER SECRET--- ITS IAF'S PET HATE. :emot15:

 

[SATISH]

yOU GUYS( f-16 SUPPORTERS) MUST REALLY HAVE A LOT OF SPARE TIME TO DISCUSS YOUR FANTASIES. YOU HAVE GONE AROUND THE WHOLE WORLD AND COME BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED. f-16 WAS THE FIRST PLANE STUCK OFF FROM OUR LIST FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

---AND oH ONE MORE THING YOU FAILED TO ADD TO THE f-16 PROUD LIST OF ACIEVEMENTS--- IT IS MOST PILOT ERROR PRONE PLANE AMONGST THE CURRENT CONTENDERS. AND I WILL LET YOU IN ON ANOTHER SECRET--- ITS IAF'S PET HATE. :emot15:

First of all dont use all caps...it aint good manners. And whats wrong with the F 16? It is a good aircraft. End of story.

 

[neo29]

And also We all know that not only F-16....BUT ALL THE PLANES IN THE WORLD THAT ARE 4 - 4.5 GEN NOW WILL NOT FLY AFTER 20 YEARS SO WHY FIGHT FOR IT....lets choose the best avionics with the best cost...

Assuming Times Now reports are wrong but fact remains that f-16 has no future in IAF, just becoz avionics and cost is best currently doesnt qualify, we need planes for future. We will be using these planes till 2050 and not for next 20 years. So why buy planes that are already 20 years old air frame???? What makes you think Rafale and EF dont have comparatively better avionics. Just becoz they have developing AESA doesnt make them low on avionics. Just have a look at their cockpits. The dog fight tests for 4.5 gen fighters always results in Ef and Rafale scoring on other fighters.

If India had that type of mentality to see current needs and buy the current best we would not be having Su-30mki. Besides buying a fighter that our enemies have already mastered in last 20 years feels awkward.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Assuming Times Now reports are wrong but fact remains that f-16 has no future in IAF, just becoz avionics and cost is best currently doesnt qualify, we need planes for future. We will be using these planes till 2050 and not for next 20 years. So why buy planes that are already 20 years old air frame???? What makes you think Rafale and EF dont have comparatively better avionics. Just becoz they have developing AESA doesnt make them low on avionics. Just have a look at their cockpits. The dog fight tests for 4.5 gen fighters always results in Ef and Rafale scoring on other fighters.

If India had that type of mentality to see current needs and buy the current best we would not be having Su-30mki. Besides buying a fighter that our enemies have already mastered in last 20 years feels awkward.

In its present form F16 is one of best contenders . Only problem is that its scaled down version is already operated by Pakistanis and they may have Idea of features of F16 Block 60 as well. @nd and most important factor is the future of plane. USA is planning to close production line of F16 and will not be concentrating on future improvements and upgrades . This means that the plane which is one of the best will be on verge of become outdated after 10 years .

 

[LETHALFORCE]

f -16 is a good plane but I think it has the least chance of MRCA plane for a few reasons. First pakistan has used it for decades and they know it well enough to fly other nations f-16's and work with other pilots; such an intimate relation with the plane offers absolutely no strategic advantage. Secondly LM is offering little to nothing as far as TOT goes and there will probably be little to no customization almost all f-16 are from factory to the customer. India has better relations with Boeing than LM. F-16 also offers little to no political advantage but a major disadvantage by giving US leverage over India , US can place sanctions, or even place a clause the plane cannot be used against Pakistan or give Pakistan the exact same block free for laughs.As far as the plane goes it is a 40 year old airframe with different accessories that make up the different blocks and radar signature is well known to pakistan for the last 3 decades. For a plane that is suppose to last 3 decades this would be the worst choice.

 

[EagleOne]

'IAF combat jet selection will be political decision'
The Indian Air Force (IAF) might have laid down 643 parameters while evaluating the six fighters in contention for its $10 billion order for 126 medium multi-role combat jets (MMRCAs) but the eventual decision on this will be taken at the political level, an informed source said on Thursday.

"The evaluation was meticulously done with the aircraft examined on 643 parameters. We have submitted a report to the defence ministry stating to which extent the aircraft were compliant," the source said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

"We have done an objective assessment taking into account the needs of national security. There will be political considerations (in making the final choice).

"The cost will be a factor. Politics will also be a factor," the source said, adding: "We have not graded the aircraft but only stated the extent to which they are compliant with the parameters we laid down."

The IAF submitted its report last month. Once this is evaluated by the ministry, all six manufacturers will be called and told which three of them have been shortlisted for the final round. The commercial bids of these three manufacturers will then be opened and negotiations conducted to decide on the eventual price.

The contract is likely to be signed early in 2011.

The six jets in contention are the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Lockheed Martin F-16IN Super Viper, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Saab Gripen, the Dasault Rafale and the MiG-35.

One set of flight trials was conducted in India last year and another in the country of manufacture earlier this year, which included the live firing of ammunition.

Eighteen of the planes will be bought in a fly-away condition and the remaining manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under a transfer of technology (TOT) agreement.

http://www.asianage.com/india/iaf-combat-jet-selection-will-be-political-decision-521

 

[Patriot]

A Big Fat MMRCA Update

Sick of hearsay and rumours? Well, here's some stuff that's confirmed true, new, and potentially explosive for contenders in the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition. Let me just start by saying that the ball is squarely with the MoD now -- the field evaluation trial report has been submitted, but has not yet been approved by the MoD. There is likely to be a measure of back and forth between South Block and Vayu Bhawan before it is approved and passed on for the next stage. In the meanwhile, chew on this. No rumours here.

Point One, The Indian Air Force won't choose a twin-engine aircraft in the MMRCA, if a single-engine aircraft can "do the job", i.e, is satisfactorily compliant on all 643 test points that each of the six airplanes were tested for during the field evaluation trials (FETs). The IAF is of the view that both single and twin engine platforms have their own advantages, but that it will not discriminate between the two. If all six aircraft are compliant, the cheapest will be selected whether its twin or single-engined.

Point Two, and this is a biggie -- The model being used to gauge cost is not the lifecycle cost (LCC) model as was previously thought. That model has been dumped since the IAF perceives it to be indeterminable (read, ambiguous), and not measured in precisely the same way across the six aircraft being offered. In other words, the MMRCA purchase model will be based on unit flyaway cost of aircraft and financing options -- i.e, not overall cost of ownership. The IAF decided that it would only work with what is "determinable". In other words, no complex formulae on future savings on maintenance and overhaul. Do you see why I used the word bombshell in the post title?

Point Three, cost is going to be a big determinant. Out of the six aircraft that are judged compliant, the cheapest will be identified as L1, and will logically be the chosen aircraft.

Point Three-and-a-half, it emerges now that each vendor was extensively briefed on their performance once the trials were over, so they have a comprehensive sense of how they performed -- their function of compliance, if you will -- but they have nothing to compare it with. So unless you account for industrial espionage, none of the vendors know how the others have performed, but know exactly how well or badly their own platform performed during trials.

Point Four, the air force's trial report has been submitted to the MoD, but the latter hasn't approved it yet. The trial report strictly contains a tabulated representation of each contending platform's compliance or otherwise for each of 643 test points. Significantly, the trial report does not quantify the level of compliance of each airplane, but rather leaves this for the MoD to understand. In other words, the trial report has all the data and results, but no recommendations, no merit list, no explicit downselect, no stated eliminations, nothing. Yet, by virtue of the data it presents, everything is implicit. It provides the data. It provides the benchmarks for compliance. The MoD figures out who's in, who's not quite in, who's definitely out. The IAF hasn't put that down. The IAF has submitted a "factual report" -- the rest is upto the MoD. Again, there's been no ranking at any stage.

Point Five, there have been frequent attempts by various players to suggest that some of the non-US contenders will have trouble getting export licenses for subsystems that may be of American origin (like the Gripen's engines, weapons on some of the others etc). Let's lay that to rest for now -- the IAF extracted government-endorsed guarantees from each such contending vendor that there would be no problems in the supply of such equipment, and it was based on this guarantee certificate that the contender was allowed to participate in trials.

Finally, the option exists for the IAF to go for more than 126 aircraft, but a decision has not yet been taken on whether to club that option with the principal purchase.





http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/08/big-fat-mmrca-update.html

 

[vikramrana_1812]

Assuming Times Now reports are wrong but fact remains that f-16 has no future in IAF, just becoz avionics and cost is best currently doesnt qualify, we need planes for future. We will be using these planes till 2050 and not for next 20 years. So why buy planes that are already 20 years old air frame???? What makes you think Rafale and EF dont have comparatively better avionics. Just becoz they have developing AESA doesnt make them low on avionics. Just have a look at their cockpits. The dog fight tests for 4.5 gen fighters always results in Ef and Rafale scoring on other fighters.

If India had that type of mentality to see current needs and buy the current best we would not be having Su-30mki. Besides buying a fighter that our enemies have already mastered in last 20 years feels awkward.

The point is whatever plane india chooses..in the end it will remain 4.5 gen fighter...With F-16 india will get hands on training on
1. Net-Centric Warfare Capability
The fusion of net-centric operations and onboard data provides a total battle space picture and optimizes mission accomplishment. The F-16 was the first multi-role fighter to incorporate a data link capability, and the IAF's Operational Data Link (ODL) can be integrated onto the F-16IN when available, ensuring interoperability with other IAF aircraft. Data integrates through all phases of the mission – from mission planning, navigation, communication and target prosecution to return to base – transforming the pilot from an aircraft system manager to a tactician.
Modern, Full-Color, All-Digital Glass Cockpit
Pilots receive easy-to-interpret information via the all-digital cockpit and helmet -mounted cueing system. The large color displays are capable of fusing data from on- and off-board sensors, reducing the workload and enabling the pilot to focus on the mission.

2. Advanced Survivability Features
The low radar signature of the F-16IN reduces detection by enemy radars. Its single-engine design has smaller infrared and visual signature than twin-engine fighters. The internal electronic warfare and towed decoy systems, provided by Raytheon, avoid or defeat the most advanced threats. Raytheon's combat-proven EW systems are deployed on F-16 aircraft worldwide. Superior agility and excellent pilot situational awareness reduce vulnerability to attack, while critical systems redundancy and shielding enhance survivability. This feature tells the pilot what is wrong in the plane if anything stops working and also advices the solution for it...ITS LIKE A ROBOTIC MECHANISM..(ONLY IN 5th GEN)

these are features of 5th gen planes...All the other planes in MMRCA still need to work more on these...5th Generation plane does not mean only stealth ..It also means State of the Art Avionics and Warfare systems...if India gets that by choosing F-16 then i dont think it is bad...

Do u think INDIA is a major power in AirForce (not super power)...?....If your answer is YES....then INDIA would not like to fly 4 - 4.5 gen planes after 20 years..because all the other Major powers UK, Aus, China...wont be doing this either...lets dont count the super power USA.....The situation here is if we still are not capable enough to get our hands on 5th gen planes then we should atleast get our hands on that technology..It will be a boost for our another project called FGFA....
F-16 SuperViper will give our Pilots the edge in the Region....
Please dont compare it with PAF F-16's...they are pure 4 gen planes with substandard export quality equipments....

F-16 IN SuperViper is like F-35 in F-16's body........

And if your answer is NO...then there is no end to this discussion..because one thing is for sure is that I CONSIDER INDIA AS A GLOBAL POWER IN NEXT 20 YEARS TO COME AND FOR THAT WE NEED THE BEST AVIONICS, THE BEST RADAR, THE BEST G SUITE, THE BEST WARFARE SYSTEM...AND THAT TOO BEFORE PAKISTAN, CHINA, KOREA gets it.

 

[vijay jagannathan]

point number 4: Mod personnel will all go bald trying to analyse the humungus data IAF has dumped on them. Plus external political pressures. It would have been sensible and quicker if IAF had listed its preferences.by the way do Mod people have the technical knowledge to deduce the meaning of the trials report. Boy if this is true it is going to be fun.

Mr. Satish better not get personal. if you have the josh to teach manners go teach it to ur own kids if you have them or when you have them. I hope
the moderator has taken note to for this uncalled comment by Satish

 

[vijay jagannathan]

then i think he can simply say so and not talk of manners. we are not illmannered guys out here. we are responsible adults. its quite obvious that the typing in caps was not intended and it was due to key pad fault.

 

[gogbot]

I am against any major American Acquisition , given the fact we have other options available.
They don't trust us , so we can't trust them.

F-16's are good but i think we can do better.

Rafale or Typhoon for example.

If PAF did not fly F-16's they would have been viable as well. But they have been flying the F-16 for over 20 years now.
And IAF has been trying to shoot them down for 20 years. IAF is uninterested and Politicians prefer not to get certain media attention of critic.

IAF does not like F-16 , this a bias they already have.

IAF prefers twin engine aircraft.

F-16 does not stand a chance.

Besides A Rafale or typhoon can trump an F-16 any day.

 

[Armand2REP]

Why is F-16 a dead end?

1) has no room for growth
2) so much has been added to it, it isn't as good a dog-fighter as the A model
3) PAF will know it inside and out
4) single engine failure is irrecoverable
5) AESA barely has enough range to meet RFP
6) Has no chance to go on a carrier
7) Is owned by the USA who is notorious for holding up ToT
8) had nothing in common with any fighter in IAF

 

[youngindian]

Israel to India: Buy F-16s, not Swedish Gripen fighter jets


http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=162447