Skull and Bones
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US jets are a strict no-go for us, because they are sanction prone, and no significant ToT involved.India is in kind of dilemma ,for what to go and for what not to.
On one side they have Russia but Russia is not a big problem as they can be managed by 5th generation deal
Then it comes to Sweeden who is offering more TOT out of all competitors also is agreed to work with local companies ,and you can't get a better opportunity to develop your local industry
but then on the other side You have US who is really trying hard to sell their aircraft and india buy tilting towards US side and being in their corner if rejects that might effect other deals plus may have negative impact on diplomatic relationship.Also the most important factor for India is to have their foot in Afghanistan and they can't do so without uncle sam's help
The last but not the least EF-2000 which by far is technologically superior out of all the aircrafts and rejecting it would really be a bad news also when india already is operating british aircrafts and have years long cooperation in defence field will make it easy to maintain a british origin aircraft
IAF has bitter experience with cost escalation mirage upgrade program. this can affect the mmrca contract. And we'll be dependent on the french for any kind of up gradation in future.
We'll hardly get any significant ToT in Gripen, since most of components are from US.
Mig-35 is basically a very good aircraft, but IAF has no interest in it.
So EFT is the only contender left. But it will take time to mature.