Even if astra takes 5 years if you do not have proper integration setup then you will still be screwed these planes would serve us for the next two decades it is in our interest to get our missile setup option.it takes at least 12 tests like that to make it vaible and that to on multiple platforms
astra is still at least 5 years from maturity then why start beating the chest just yet ?
thing is IAF top bosses know there is no way they can make cuts like before so want france to take initaiative and make some "special arrangements" and thats it .... but frenchies this time are not willing till they have the first chuque in there hands which as of now these genrals cant force new MOD & MOD to do