abdulbarijan
PDF THINK TANK: ANALYST
- Joined
- May 15, 2010
- Messages
- 1,251
- Reaction score
- 31
Totally unfair to Compare F16 the most successful single engined fighter in the world with the MASSIVE experience amd maturity this brings in the 4th generation tech field. WITH a single engined lightweight fighter only arrived 2 years ago and several years away from full maturity.
If you where looking to PROTECT your skys from adversaries with say mirage2000 or mig29
which would you pick
1. FC1/THUNDER @ $25M EACH OR a 2nd hand used (BUT FULLY SERVICED F16/C/D for the same price)
Depends....
-What if like Egypt a customer does not get any BVR capability..
-What does an ally (like Pakistan) do when it fears that it wont have spares etc in the future [like for PAF in the 90's]
-What does a customer do if USA doesn't agree to provide equipment up to its requirements..
Dealing with the USA isn't that simple as a matter of fact dealing with any nation thats an aerospace veteran isn't simple.
The export versions arn't as good as the version they have in service (usually the case)
The conclusion being...
-Will you pick a brand new capable aircraft with more life which meets your min requirements and you are fully free to use it as you please with less worries about spares etc being unavailable when you need them the most...
OR
-Will you pick an aircraft which has less life, needs overhauling and up gradation to meet your requirements and the threat of being sanctioned and all...