Well this is simply illogical. By nature the S-400 is a defensive platform and one with a very specific mandate in mind- comparing it to a multi-role fighter jet is simply nonsensical. I have honestly never heard this sort of discussion anywhere else- no air force in the world has stated SAMs (no matter how capable) are substitutes for fighter jets. They aren't even remotely competing for resources in the IAF- it is not a "either or" situation.
Why keep talking about Pakistan? The threat from them (conventionally) has been neutralised for decades. The S-400 (and Rafale) are far more important against China and this is the adversary the entire Indian Military is concerning itself with.
Unlike Pakistan, many of China's military bases are found far away from India's borders and no SAM system will threaten them, it requires a capable long range strike fighter (aka the Rafale).Yes, a few S400 batteries deployed 100 or so KM inside Indian territory can harass the majority of PAF air bases- the same is not true for the PLAAF.
When they are not substitutes for one another AND the MKI (especially the "Super" standard) is not even that much cheaper then the Rafale this is illogical.
Which is why the 36 figure is in no way the final number- the writing is on the wall.
MiG-21s (and their successor- the LCA) are not air supremacy fighters that would be the tip of the spear- they are point defence aircraft meant to act as a rear guard for the "heavy hitters".
Neither the MKI nor the MiG-29UPG are equipped (or certified) to conduct the kind of low-level long range strike missions the Rafale would be tasked with. "Ground pounding" is within their remit but it is not where they excel.
First you have to penetrate enemy airspace in order to carry this out, as I have stated above, this is not a role the MKIs are designed to do- they are through-bred A2A beasts (I'm not even 100% sure the SFC has imparted any nuclear delivery role to any MKI SQN). The Jaguars are becoming increasingly redundant as stand alone strike aircraft in the modern age and would hence would be not be able to carry out such long range penetration missions with an assured degree of success- the Mirage 2000s don't have the range for such a mission.
+ the Jags and Mirages will both be out of service in 15 years so who will pick up the slack?
Rafale is the only logical solution to all of the above issues- and a lot of them.
Well I am not the one who started comparing fighters to SAMs. That said S-400 can play both offensive or defensive roles. Enforcing a no fly zone over the border either in PAK or TAR does that.
China has at least 5 air bases in TAR, sure it won't deter them that much but again their ingress into our air space gets virtually shot down due to the S-400 and if the no fly zone applies well a lot of their birds including key recon uavs, awacs, transports etc. are easy meat. Regardless of what anyone says, you really think Rafale can go hundreds of km into China for striking targets and come back, you're seriously mistaken, not happening even with the likes of F-22s around. With China we only have to hope that any skirmish is quickly put to an end we shoot down a few of their birds. A few soldiers die on both sides and we call it truce with new cease fires in place. Sure we can leave them with a bloody nose like in the 80's but we should hope for a quick draw down. Any extensive war with China is not good for anyone.
More so, Rafale's French weapons are far too expensive to acquire in numbers required. The DM so far has made it clear if its acquired it will be 36 and no more. 36 Rafales are not going make any difference in the grand scheme of things. The writing on the wall has been up for over 4 years now but nothing yet. I'll believe it when it happens. I always said, Rafale makes sense only when acquired in numbers over 4-5 sqds, ideally around 200. Let's wait till the 36 are signed first, chances of it happening slim by the day. Even then we have to spend quite some time integrating plenty of our local stuff on it before it becomes an effective platform in the Indian context.
Super MKI at least can be made and maintained at home and cost the same will come with better radar, OLS, engines etc. Moreso, the MKI at least will carry Brahmos, Brahmos mini, Nirbhay and others in due time. MKI also deploys ARMs like KH-31P, heavy bombs like the KAB 500/1500 guide bombs, Betabs, Griffins, Popeye cruise missiles, KH-59 ME/MK, KH-29Ls, Kh-35s while also being very good at A2A.
You underestimate Jags, with the CBU-105SFW, Paveways, Griffins integrated on it, it became one of the deadliest ground pounder in the IAF's inventory with an ability to take 40 moving targets with a single smart cluster bomb. Jag is also quite a reliable fleet with numbers of around 120, they can all be updated to Darin 3 standard with AESA and new engines for decent price. With new engines, it will also be able to lug more bombs out to longer ranges.
As for SFC having Nukes of MKI, well even if done, no one will hear about it. My guess, the Jag, Mirages and MKI already deploy gravity nuke bombs with the 1st set of Super MKI being readied to deploy nuke armed Brahmos and N-Nirbhay soon.
