HannibalBarca
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Considering the fairly optimistic delivery date for all aircraft is 2020 (while the AESA is set to be ready in 2019) I doubt there will be any new radar deliveries which lets face it will replace brand spanking new radars if it did happen. In my experience fitted for never usually results in fitted with.
Economies of scale go much further than most expect. While the initial deal may be less pricey over a life time it will be more expensive to support the MiG alongside the Rafale and 16s.
The EAF will have to support an aircraft essentially in a completely different loop. Meaning separate training regimes for pilots, technicians, and support staff with career prospects limited to MiG as jumping from a Russian sq to a Western one would require a fair amount of retraining.
Completely different logistic and maintenance chains with poor after sales support from the Russians. Another aircraft that will need its own upgrades and overhauls at more regular intervals as Russian engines and air frames simply don't have the same flying hours as Western fighters. Also means less flying time for pilots.
With the Rafale we can pretty much plug and play to a certain extent but we can't do the same with the MiG.
I understand the EAF was in need of fighters and quickly but in my opinion their inability to hold off and need to maintain a frankly bloated fleet of fighters has cost them capability in the long run.
A political position is going to cost the EAF both capability and funds. More Rafales would have been the better option. The Russians are already proving to be difficult and unreliable.
Big Boy Russia Lobby at his best...
And the " Egypt need new aircraft, right here right now" is (I think) absurd. Egypt is in no war right now, and pls don't tell me that those few ISIS pockets require nearly a hundreds new shiny aircraft.
Sissi is on a shopping madness that is unnecessery for egypt "right now". Those old F-16 & incoming rafale are doing the job just fine. Logic should have been to keep that money for more rafale later and stay with that ...
Anyway Congrats, but those Mig are surely a waste of money... ( at some point I could understand a need of Su-35.. but MIg... come on..)