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India-Pakistan
F-16, F-18 fail to make final list for IAF buy
2011-06-04
Full details are in a PDF file at the link. Seems like the aircraft aren't true 'fighters' for fighter pilots but rather excel at war-fighting proficiency. The Indians want the latter, of course, but aren't willing to give up the former to get it. The planes still in the running: the Eurofighter and the Rafale. Also out: the Gripen and the MiG-35.
Posted by:Steve White

#10  He meant the perils of single supplier, Pappy.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2011-06-04 17:44  

#9  don't forget to throw in the possibility of an American administration that would cut off material logistics in supporting a boycott to leverage Israel is something new in the equation.

Um, it's 'India', not Israel.

Then again, the title threw me for bit of a loop as well.
Posted by: Pappy   2011-06-04 17:30  

#8  The F-35 won't be available in the time frame the IAF needs. Heck, it's not available in the time frame the USAF and USN need. And the U.S. won't (though perhaps should) offer an export version of the F-22.

Technology transfers are also apparently a sticking point on offering the F-35.
Posted by: Steve White   2011-06-04 12:22  

#7  ...don't forget to throw in the possibility of an American administration that would cut off material logistics in supporting a boycott to leverage Israel is something new in the equation. Congress could put on a big show, but unless they act to withdraw the power from the Executive, it's a done deal.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2011-06-04 09:18  

#6  This is what IAF says: Business Standard

“The US companies, which flaunt their technological leadership, are feigning hurt that their fighters were found technologically unsuitable. But it was their misjudgement to offer the IAF fighters like the F-16 and the F-18 that are decades old. It is arrogance to claim these have been modernised and are good enough for a country like India. If they wanted to argue technology, they should have fielded the F-35.”

Posted by: Willy   2011-06-04 09:09  

#5  LOL...the poor Gripen...how many times have I heard this exact story. "The Gripen was also cut from the purchase consideration." It's not even news, it just rates an extra sentence.
Posted by: gromky   2011-06-04 05:59  

#4  (which is quite common in indian military acquisitions). Posted by Valentine

"Quite common" elsewhere as well.
Posted by: Besoeker   2011-06-04 02:13  

#3  Also remember that the standard export version of the F-16 and F-18 doesn't have all the electronic goodies that make them deadly before they hit a dogfight. It takes some real dealing to get a F-16 with the electronics to make it lethal at 90 miles.

The SU-27/35 would actually make a really nice fit with the IAF and their supply structure and system.
Posted by: DarthVader   2011-06-04 02:12  

#2  Its a bit more complicated than that. The IAF and some of their pols were asking for a bunch of items that are specifically restricted from foreign military sales, they wouldn't take no for an answer and well..that's why the US stuff isn't in the running for it. There's also the possibility that they weren't offering a big enough kickback to the pols (which is quite common in indian military acquisitions).
Posted by: Valentine   2011-06-04 01:36  

#1  ignoring their huge success rate.
Posted by: Water Modem   2011-06-04 00:55  

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