gripen uses american components, so we first need to ask US before we can do anything!
and dont forget when gripen project was started they offered it to us but we couldn't buy it because of sanctions posed by US!!!
PAF wont go for gripen now so no need to argue...=)
It is not just about US components. Sweden has a very clear policy on offensive weapons. We in the past got RBS-70S Beam-Riders (Defensive Weapon), SAAB MFI 17 (Defensive Weapon), etc. Gripen is clearly an offensive weapon.
PAF can go on evaluating it till the cows come home -- the plane will not be released for sale to Pakistan period....
Sweden is also not very amenable country to do business with. India learned it the hard way when they stopped spares and shells for their FH77 during Kargil conflict.
On top of this Indian shopping list is out there (they will make the max use of the clout that this wish list gives them to deny weapons deals to Pakistan). Sweden is no exception like France!
We can keep on dreaming about Gripens and Rafeals, Euros etc. Until India finalizes its next gen plane, we will only get the F-16 (At least US is selling us hardware despite Indian Shopping List), JF-17 and the J-10B
We need to replace our MiG -21's (Point defense) with JF 17 (150 units), replace our Mirages with a combo of F-16 (in Strike role) & JF-17 in Point Defense; F-16's + 100 JF-17. J-10B (36) can form along with F-16 as the Air Superiority element of the force.
The deep strike (Nuclear) element can be the 32 Block 52 F-16 in addition to their long range interceptor role.
I see a force by 2015 of:
150 JF 17
100 JF 17 light strike/intercept
32 F-16 C/D Deep strike/Air Superiority
36 J10-B Air Superiority
70 odd F-16 Multi Mission elements
Forget about the other European Weapon Platforms -- they also have many string attached to them (might be of different nature - we can debate upon why we end up getting sanctioned not just from US but others and how we can avoid it -- but that is another thread ) -- we just saw a trailer for the JF -17 avionics deal!!! On top of that they are extremely expensive options without a cover of "Aid" like our US "Deals."
true!
