araz
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2006
- Messages
- 9,291
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The problem is not what you want to buy but what the US Congress will allow the Government to sell. Secondly with hither to untried technology there is money required to do the research. I know that SABR is available but which aircorce has actually ordered it ? So if we are the launch customer then we will have to bear the cost of integration and testing which could be substantial. Knowing the way the. US has acted in the past is it worth relying on it for technology that may face problems in the future. Thirdly the utility of AESA when modern day warfare will be a netcentric affair with AWACS guiding the planes and most encounters taking place within BVR range( at least in theory ) what is the cost vs benefit analysis. You need to remember that the technology does not currently exist in the region and the US is always reluctant to introduce newer technology in the subcontinental theatre so there might be problems even if for a short period. It is interesting that none of the countries buying 16s including Israel have opted for AESA. A half a decade later AESA would not be such a novel thing and getting it at that time might not be so troublesome nor expensive.noone will doubt the MLUs but buying new block52 without sabr will be debatable, whether it will be wise to spend money on a jet that cost 3-4 times more than a standard JF-17 thunder. Saving time argument can also be brought into question as unlike MLUs , even if orders are given now, it will take at least 2 years to get the new Vipers. By that time we would have started to induct block 3 thunders
so may be as a package deal it would be a good choice, but investing a little more to get SABR on board will make it on par with incoming batch of rafales, nullifying an technological superiority that IAF may attain
wasn't there a time frame with that deal.? I am indicating this for the reason of cost. as time frame has passed the cost may not be the same 1.2 billion we paid for the first 18 batch of block52 vipers
Araz