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The Gripen in IAF service will kill off the LCA MK.2 GURANTEED. It isn't a price worth paying.
The Gripen will be chosen after the LCA Mk2 is confirmed to be late. But it won't affect the LCA program due to two reasons. One, the MK2 will be exported sooner. Two, the navy will buy the N-LCA and IAF Mk2 is necessary for the quicker development of the N-LCA.
2024 is too long. And that is now an older date. And these are ADA's dates, you have seen how they get pushed.
Except Boeing have explictily stated they are't willing to tie up with any Indian partner and would only manufacture F-18s in India under a 100% owned subsidary.
You think we will listen? They also want IAF to order 200 SHs for the project to be viable. Not happening. So they've reduced that to 150. But they are gonna get 90 jets and that can be expanded by 45 in the future.
The Gripen and F-18 propositions are far too heavily weighed in favour of operational benefits for the IAF but do not acknowledge that India's priority is now about creating a credible manufacturing base and the aerospace industry is a key part of that. The Gripen and F-18 offer very little in the way of long term industrial benefits to India.
There isn't a choice. The EFT sucks. Only Rafale is available and Reliance needs a decent competitor. In fact, from what I hear, the SH will win the second contract, but it will be based on our terms and decent ToT, that's 50% ToT.
When did the IAF's needs get so important? The GoI has been consistently ignoring them so I'm sure that they would feel that the LCA and Rafale (with FGFA a bit later) is more than enough to keep them content.
The govt figured out IAF is important when they realized that's the only advantage we have over China. Our topmost priority among conventional weapons right now is ballistic missiles. We are looking at some sort of parity over China's PLARF. Basically, the US and India had underestimated the Chinese by 5 years, so they are both working doubly hard to contain that 'error'. India is increasing ballistic missiles stock at a fast pace while the US is doing their Asia pivot by basing 60% of their navy in the Pacific. The US has realized their pivot won't work in time. PLAN will have 450 capital ships in 10 years. India wants to have 200 and the US will have only about 170 ships in the Pacific by then. Of course the US has better ships and subs.
The US is now in such a sticky position that they need our help, that's why they have elevated our status to a NATO member and are pushing DTTI forward as much as possible. The LEMOA deal will also be signed soon. They have been pushing for joint patrols, but have obviously failed.
The second highest priority is FGFA and Rafale, obviously. The CCS has realized they need to control the air or we are f***ed.
@MilSpec @Abingdonboy
These are turn rates of various aircraft that were submitted in the Australian Parliament. The Gripen-E is leagues ahead of the F-16.
![g6WBaiX.png](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fg6WBaiX.png&hash=9f2d8cf1ac4d4ad82d12465644f7663e)
And a simulation:
![U6EX8HG.png](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FU6EX8HG.png&hash=f9b4a548b2bc6096053ba512dc1a2a5b)