Is Lockheed dumping F-16s on India?

[randomradio]

Seems you have been given another dose of the Kargil (Non) lock on episode. LoL.
Except no award for the Indian pilot this time.
Well let me remind you it's not the PAF which goes on national TV to boost about what's ridiculed as cricket score.
The fact that PAF is sending JF-17 to CAP over LOC instead of F-16s and a certain W/C played loud and sustained tone in a MKI pilots headphone should make interesting reading....some day....if ever PAF decides to disclose....which is highly unlikely.

That has more to do with your inadequacies rather than a rule of thumb. The Mig-29UPG carries some pretty good stuff that very few air forces possess, definitely not the PAF.

 

[Windjammer]

That has more to do with your inadequacies rather than a rule of thumb. The Mig-29UPG carries some pretty good stuff that very few air forces possess, definitely not the PAF.

It may do but who is talking about the UPG here.

 

[CBU-105]

What about the Mig35 in that case? I guess it is a single engine jet fighter or am I wrong?

The Mig 35 is a further developed Mig 29, more features, better avionics, radar, payload (maybe) but is based on the same airframe.

Kind of like how the SU-30, 33(carrier borne) and 35 are just more advanced variants of the SU-27 airframe.

 

[randomradio]

It may do but who is talking about the UPG here.

We are talking about how a Mig-29UPG locked a JF-17 near LoC.

 

[maximuswarrior]

The IAF requirement here was for single engine fighters to replace the ageing Mig-21 fleet, the Russians didn't have anything to offer. The block 70 will be a big step up from the old Migs and are just right for their very specific role.

The SU-30MKI and Rafales (in the near future) will be the IAF's frontline fighters, the Mirage 2K, Mig -29UPG/K, LCA Tejas all have different roles assigned to them.

Why go for the F-16 when LCA was touted as the replacement for many obsolete fighters in the IAF? It only means one thing. The LCA just isn't up to the mark.

There are other single engine fighter options out there that are more potent and not at the end of life. India even operates one. India is in for a rude awakening. A logistical nightmare. The familiarity aspect will be a huge negative. This will take at the very least a decade to properly materialize. India is starting from scratch on the F-16.

 

[Windjammer]

We are talking about how a Mig-29UPG locked a JF-17 near LoC.

No, how the JF-17 spoilt the day for an MKI.

 

[Avijit]

A

@ito ....You are obviously high on something, F-16 is indeed a very potent aircraft today but ten years down the line, even you might be on a rocking chair.

A fleet of uncertain number of frontline FGFAs (including AMCA), 270 Su-30MKIs and 36 Rafales supplemented by a mix of 50 Mirange 2000s, 200 F-16s/Gripens, 150 LCAs and numerous Jaguars by 2030. That's a pretty decent line up for an Air Force.

F-16 will not be obsolete before 2050s. If anything, they'll be like an advanced-basic level of fighters around the world, cheapest machines delivering 9000 kg of munitions in multiple roles.

IAF is suffering from gaps at the moment and it will take time for new aircraft production to become consistent and plug these gaps. We've only just been able to completely develop a fighter jet. Now that we have the know-how, India is starting to go through a phase of serious Tech R&D. So, this will be a time where we still face gaps but work is finally happening on filling them, and an immediate measure is the induction of MRCAs like F-16 or Gripen. But when the work is done, productions have completely churned out their LCA Mk2s and AMCAs, IAF will have a huge fleet of 4 Gen, 4++ Gen and 5 Gen fighters. It'll be very hard to cross China, max we can do is keep up, but PAF will not be one of India's concerns.

 

[maximuswarrior]

India has seemingly bowed under US pressure. There is no other valid explanation for this deal. India has always opposed the F-16 deal when the Americans were touting it like the next thing since sliced bread.

 

[Maler]

How many F-16 block 52 Pakistan has? I think a squadron only?

Realistically, IAF entered into next league with the introduction & procurement of of MKI and Rafale jets!!! PAF is not even in the catch up game!

 

[CBU-105]

Why go for the F-16 when LCA was touted as the replacement for many obsolete fighters in the IAF? It only means one thing. The LCA just isn't up to the mark.

Yep, slow going with the LCA but there are still gaps to fill so..

There are other single engine fighter options out there that are more potent and not at the end of life. India even operates one. India is in for a rude awakening. A logistical nightmare. The familiarity aspect will be a huge negative. This will take at the very least a decade to properly materialize. India is starting from scratch on the F-16.

The F-16 isn't at end of life, for what they're buying it for, it's just right (or at least the people making the decisions feel it is)

A full assembly line with transfer of tech is more a logistical treasure trove than a nightmare. They'll develop strategies around it fairly quickly, what makes you think it'll take them 10 years ?

India bowed under US pressure. There is no other valid explanation for this deal.

Why not, make a great deal and buy into DT's good books.

Modi's going there next week, let's see how that goes.

 

[Maler]

Why go for the F-16 when LCA was touted as the replacement for many obsolete fighters in the IAF? It only means one thing. The LCA just isn't up to the mark.

There are other single engine fighter options out there that are more potent and not at the end of life. India even operates one. India is in for a rude awakening. A logistical nightmare. The familiarity aspect will be a huge negative. This will take at the very least a decade to properly materialize. India is starting from scratch on the F-16.

Then its good for Pakistan, because india is making a 20 billion dollar mistake! Why long essays of concern & empathy for your eternal enemy? Or there is something burning?

A 6-8 months back someone was desperate to get only 8 of lower grade (block 52) F-Sola and even cursed, threatened US of A when failed to get these fine birds....hahahaha! And now teaching us, what is good deal & whats not.....really funny!!!

 

[Tom M]

@ito ....You are obviously high on something, F-16 is indeed a very potent aircraft today but ten years down the line, even you might be on a rocking chair.

By that time around Lockheed Martin will have to come up with some other projects and transform the F-16 production line accordingly. Else the investments on infrastructure that they will be making along will TATA will be a total waste.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

By that time around Lockheed Martin will have to come up with some other projects and transform the F-16 production line accordingly. Else the investments on infrastructure that they will be making along will TATA will be a total waste.

They will not be investing, they will be selling the product line and charge for support.

 

[BDforever]

Yeah but PAF will have latest the block 52 while IAF the block 70 if we decide to go for it all, that is.

yes and Pakistan will ask for upgrades, India will ask for more upgrades later on.
USA will be like.. ya ya sure sure.. upgrades for everyone, lets settle on payment

 

[maximuswarrior]

Then its good for Pakistan, because india is making a 20 billion dollar mistake! Why long essays of concern & empathy for your eternal enemy? Or there is something burning?

A 6-8 months back someone was desperate to get only 8 of lower grade (block 52) F-Sola and even cursed, threatened US of A when failed to get these fine birds....hahahaha!

LOL good to see you burn.

We are perfectly fine with India opting for F-16. It is just that your country has been making tall claims. F-16 was never on the agenda. Don't have an heartache when people pose questions about the sudden change of heart. India has been pressured to buy the F-16s.

LOL we are going to get get 5th gen aircraft alongside heavily upgraded JF-17s. You think we care?

They will not be investing, they will be selling the product line and charge for support.

Seems like Gripen lost out again.