UAE may buy more F-16 Block 60 Desert Falcon

[Pfpilot]

Why is UAE buying these new planes, when they are 10 different better planes they could get?

What people are overlooking is the advantage of procuring more of the same platform, since UAE has the requisite maintenance experience on the block 60s...with the training programs, experienced pilots and mechanics in place, why would they not go for the f-16. It also has a functioning AESA, which is al but a dream as far as its European counterparts are concerned....ok not exactly, but neither the Eurofighter or Rafale has such a radar at this point in its current fleet.
Since the Indian Airforce defies all logic and buys multiple platforms in large numbers, completely disregarding maintenance costs and the complications of making such diverse systems work in one efficient network, people assume everyone else should do the same...but there is something to be said for playing to ones advantage and sticking with a platform the airforce knows well.

 

[Nav]

join us in amca lets see what it turns out to be

Amca is no where near out from drawing Board..it will be just wasteage of Money.. Coz indians are known for their slow progress...

 

[Peregrine]

They have rejected Rafale, means they consider F-16 blk 60 to be a more potent fighter, than the overly priced Rafale.

 

[TOPGUN]

The vipers are not going to be outdated any time soon later in the future but not any time soon for those you lack serious knowledge read up and do some homework as per UAE they got funds to play with so let them.

 

[Mosamania]

The Emaratis are looking for a plane to replace their Mirages which can carry their trump card the storm shadow (Black Shaheen). So that is why the Rafale looks attractive to them. Increasing their F-16s which is the best F-16 built to date also a good idea since they will absorb it rather quickly and it is also cheaper than the Rafale.

So you can see they must do some serious thinking regarding this one. But the French are too arrogant to meet the UAE criteria. So I think this deal is only saying they are "thinking" about adding 60+ F-16s to pressure the Rafales to take back their overpricing. Why does India get offered the Rafale for 67Million while the UAE gets it for 100Million??

 

[Nav]

Pakistan can export a modifieded version Of Raa'd to UAE , just like Russia modifieded Pj-10 Brahamos for India.

 

[INDIAISM]

join us in amca lets see what it turns out to be

don't forget our relation with israel sir.... we r not america who can sell weapons to both of thm without any problem....

 

[Zabaniyah]

It is not as easy as you might think Zabanya. Gone are the days that we would allow Americans to give us restricted and downgraded equipment. or Equipment we are not even allow to change its oil without an approval from the US. Now we buy weapons on our own terms the Americans would only sell us the F-35s if we sign the CISOMA agreement which pretty much make us open targets to America and then we wont be even able to launch an air strike with out their systems buzzing. And that is too high a cost for the F-35. I am angry at Bahrain Qatar and Kuwait for signing the bloody thing which makes it the more harder for the GCC to work together.

And I think the Russian PAK-FA is still open for Saudi participation. And I heared about some talks regarding the J-20. But they are still experimental as of now so it is hard to know if we are involved in these or not.

Zabanya one question. Would you rather we get the F-35s in return for opening our entire network to America?

Well, the Shah of Iran funded the F-14 Tomcat program back in the old days of the Cold War. Couldn't the Arab governments do something similar?

I wouldn't buy the F-35 to be honest. Its scope is too large (too many countries involved), coupled with program delays and rising costs. Unless its the US, I don't think the other members are going to gain much out of it. India already rejected the offer to join the F-35 development program.

To put it simply, its expensive, and doesn't necessarily promise the 'low-cost workhorse fighter' factor. I don't see any reason for any country not to go for the PAK FA or something. India is already working on its FGFA (Indian variant of the PAK FA). The F-35 isn't a great return on investment if you ask me.

Fifth generation fighters will be (if not now) the new benchmark in the future. Won't be too long before the F-16s and MIG-29s become outdated. You guys can fund and provide development assistance to the series of 5G aircraft under works in Russia/India and China. China has a variety of them under works. I am sure you can get something out of them.

I don't know about the USA, but I don't think those boys at AIPAC would allow Arab nations to join any 5G program or any advanced military equipment program in the US. You know how they go.

Although I understand, it isn't easy to get off the invisible chains of the USA. It really isn't. Not even for Israel