Why India Should Consider Lockheed Martin's F-16 Offer

[Abingdonboy]

If LM promises to transfer the whole F16 assemble line including ToT, I see no reason why India should not buy F16s. India can learn so much from F16 program that it can be used for AMCA.

ToT with the Americans is an absurd notion, they will NEVER share critical tech with anyone; especially not India. To think Indian industry could benefit beyond screwdriver tech with the F-16 is laughable.


Sorry America, you are not dealing with Canada or Australia, India knows your games and won't sell itself out for some highly comprimised equipment.

Hi ; Will the Americans offer the same level of cooperation without strings attached
as say the Russians and the French

• The concerns about handling and turn rates, however, clearly indicate something important about the IAF’s preferences while highlighting the fact that the F-16IN remains in some ways a retrograde development where close-in air combat manoeuvring is concerned.

• The fact that the CFT-equipped F-16IN would be less manoeuvrable compared to Pakistan’s F-16 Block 50/52s is a big area of concern.

This is the most absurd part! The most likely opponent of the IAF flies the exact same bird and knows it intimatly! Some new electronics aren't going to change the fundamental characteristics of the bird. To gain an advantadge over your opponent you need to adopt different tactics AND different equipment.

For anyone who would claim that the Blk.70/F16IN would give the IAF a clear edge because of its electronics alone is deluding themselves. In a PAF vs IAF context the opposing forces are so close that serious WVR engagments are unavoidable and if they are in the same bird the loss rates are going to be horrendous (particuarly for the less familiar side- India). This is actually a very dangerous proposal the diplomat is making here.

There simply is no merit to inducting the F-16 from a strategic, industrial or operational perspective, of all the offers on the table this is BY FAR the most pathetic.