36 Rafale, 3 squadrons of Su-30 MKI and LCA MK-II fighter jets to arm the IAF

[Etilla]

what happened to Tejas Mk1?

 

[airmarshal]

I m no expert but 36 Rafales for the country the size of India is not enough. Its neither here nor there.

Also, Tejas is a long way away from being a mature platform. Realistic and pragmatic to divert resource to divert resources to development of local platform but at the same time the number of Rafales should go up. To at least double the current number.

 

[Storm Force]

Air marshall.

PAF STARTED with 40 F16 in 1990

today they have 76

I SUSPECT IAF will start with 36 rafales to signed for now delivered by 2018

in 2020 I GURANTEE that another order for 36 more rafale will take place . the reasons why I know this are as follows

1. Once the LCA mk2 is delayed to IOC 2022-2023 IAF will be under pressure again from falling nos. ALL THE MIGS WILL HAVE GONE BY THEN. They will go for a stop gap order again.

2. Indian GDP by 2020 will be around $3.5 billion or 6th largest on the plant . India will be able to afford another 36 rafales by then.

3. FGFA will be delayed to 2025 or worse cancelled IAF will need more Rafales in the interim in face of increasing nos of J10 F16 in PAF and soon to be inducted J31 & J20 PLAAF. India will panic into buying rafale

4. The shear brilliance reliability and hi tech and serviability of French fighters wil WOW IAF to insist on another emergency order.

99% certain more rafales will come for these reasons.