Indians did a great job technically when they selected Rafale over US F-18 for MMRCA. From this move, they secured their future. From the past few years, IAF has bought many US military hardware included C17, C130, and P8i. Except for P8i, none is critical, first-line, or a primary defense weapon I would say.
The selection of an “American” weapon for your core defense is like you’re calling dalal to defend you at the time of rape attempt. That's more like you’re compromising both of your offensive and defensive capabilities. Americans are historical liars and blackmailers when it comes to your defense. Though I am also a big fan of their military technology.
They sent American spy(s) in the name of Instructors at our Jacobabad. Since then they're actively monitoring our activities. We know our super-duper BLK50/50 (One of the world’s most advanced fighter jet - Hell ya) are stationed there but what Americans are doing inside the base? obviously surveillance of our movement and communication along with monitoring of ouR (Purchased) F16s. In fact, they’re doing much more than that which we might be aware of but can’t do anything because of strings attached with the deal or maybe we have no idea (which is highly unlikely).
Americans are “opportunist”. The skill of playing politics with the American establishment while purchasing their weapons is an art. Indians did the same at the time of S-400 vs Patriots. Despite American pressure, they went for a Russian. They’re well aware of future repercussions and consequences. They’ve also sent a very clear picture Of their future naval procurement to the American establishment in which again there is no sign of F35. Having said that, they’ve still bought some of the critical weapons for their Navy (IN) and the reason of that was just because of similar objectives of Indian and US Navy which is very specific to China (containment of China’s power projection in the Asia Pacific).
We've literally compromised our National Security and completely failed to identify PAF needs since 90s when the American administration blocked the sales and stopped the transfer of our “paid” F16s. Till today, we’ve just 70+ front line fighters (mix of BLK15 + MLUs and BLK50/52) which I believe should be around 250+. JF17 can’t be your front line. Gen.Musharaf diverted funds of BlK50/52 towards the 2005 Earthquake which was IMO one of the worst decisions. Else the balance of power would be different (somehow).
We had tested Typhoon and Rafale in earlier 2000 (before India). However, we went for the FC which was specifically for the replacement of old fleet and dual engines A-5 in the PAF inventory. The procurement of FC had nothing to do with our front line deterrence. Despite having enough money to make a good deal with French, we continued with the vipers. Why it has happened simply because some of the top shits were obsessed with the Americans (sorry to say) but that's what it is and that's why we are still struggling.
TOT concept (reality V Facts): TOT doesn’t mean that you will get the full capability of making everything in-house. That's more like information, research, and knowledge sharing which is consists of 50%-60% of the overall project. That has exactly happened with the Indians in the PAK-FA project. They thought that Russians will probably share all the ingredients, but it was indeed a setback for them as well despite spending a massive amount of money. The concept of TOT is very different from what we usually understand. You still dependent on foreign components for instance, Chinese are dependent on Russian for “Engines”. We’ve lost the ATAK deal just because of American Engine in Turkish 129. This is a vogue concept that you’re getting everything in the transfer.
IAF selection of non-US hardware for their front-line (primary) weapon is a great lesson for PAF decision-makers. Retrospection is very important.
@MastanKhan @Bilal Khan (Quwa) @graphican @StormBreaker
