India could shell out $12 billion for new fighter jets

[raj76]

if the price is cheap and ToT is right f-16s would be cool

ppl should look at it like this for $12 bill whole paf will be put on leash

 

[Shabi1]

F-16 Block-60/61 price is $200-270mn per aircraft. The US has proposed a F-16 Block-70 with similar specs to India but with TOT price will be on the higher side. Is the wait period for transfer of manufacturing before production and price justified compared to getting more Rafaels ($220mn). Especially since it wont impact any PAF acquisition plans as they will not buy any new F-16s only used aircraft might be procured and later upgraded with a F-16V style upgrade (AESA) once available from Turkey (in development by TUSAS which can also provide spares) and still by 3-5yrs it wont be PAFs premier fighter anymore. There will be something else.

Only makes financial sense if India willing to induct the Block-52 (non AESA) spec version like Pakistan or the Grippen C. Any higher versions will cost too much.

Ideally would have been best if India had bought Mirage-2000 production rights and started making them but that is a lost opportunity now.

I think its better if India invests in its LCA factory and speed up production time, rather than constantly upgrading specs they should just accelerate inductions and bring improvements in production versions over time. If they really need to induct another platform the Grippen makes more sense as shares the same power plant with the LCA.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...ssible-deal-for-quotblock-61quot-f-16-395235/

India has been enticed with F-16 production rights several times in the past as well only reason I see there is any interest now is just to try to diss Pakistan, doesn't seem to offer any financial or operational benefits at all and still even if it goes through India getting F-16s will not have the PAF neutralizing effect as being touted since Pakistan even under sanctions was able to keep its F-16s operational..

 

[wiseone2]

ppl should look at it like this for $12 bill whole paf will be put on leash

making the f-16 components in India should give the PAF a pause

 

[Ali Zadi]

Even the new block of F16 is nothing but retro fitted and enhanced thru light modification. The fact remains that the Gripen E is much better in all aspects since it was made from ground up to support everything from a NATO PoV among others. While the engine seems low powered the speed at altitude and low fuel requirements is a big plus and just imagine what added fuel tanks can help it do. Not to mention it has been integrated with so many missiles already.

The real verses with the E model is the yet to be made Tejas Mk.1A but even the Tejas Mk.1 is not far behind in contrast to the F16.