For the longest time way before the MRCA trials ever began I understood that the Super Hornet was always the best fit for the IAF, the orders could be full-filled easily, the aircraft was always reasonably priced, the Super Hornet International on offer was great, the sensors are top notch, the USN funded upgrades promised to keep it relevant beyond 2030. Its ability to deploy a host of reasonably priced weapons as well as its reliability proven over years of combat is something that would have been ideal for the IAF. They would have saved a few of billions in engine commonality alone with the LCA mk-2 over the SH's and LCA's life time. Also, the SH has among the lowest operational costs for a fighter in its class, its operational costs are lower than the Rafale and EF. Even with partial TOT, this was always a better deal than the EF/Rafale which come with very expensive weapons packages and can cost up to 40% more in unit costs alone. AFAIK the SH's only problem was its performance at LEH which could have been easily fixed with certain changes to the engine.
Even if we order these by end 2016 in typical FMS fashion with significant offsets, the production rate being 40 aircraft annually, we can easily have 80 aircraft delivered by 2020. If such an order takes place, the only thing needed is to make sure is to have the Super Hornet International F414 EPE, Large panel displays, new MAWS, new IRST, enclosed weapon pods, optional strap-on CFTs. I am sure such an order would also bring the US/ India closer and the US would stop bitching when it comes to future joint ventures including tech transfers for other projects. We can order 60 Russian built PAKFA while organizing make in India of another 140 PAKFA once MKI deliveries are done.
During the MRCA trials, the IAF chief maintained, the US always had the upper hand In avionics and weapons being very impressed with SH's electronics.
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