How useful will the MRCA be for India?

[Blitzo]

Hi, I was wondering about the actual usefulness about India's MRCA competition. There is a lot of hype about this being a huge defense deal and all. But will this deal be actually USEFUL to the IAF?
The IAF wants 126 of these multi role aircraft, and the first is slated to be delivered no sooner than 2011. When this fleet of aircraft reaches full strength, won't they be outclassed by other aircraft such as the F-22, F-35, and J-XX programmes?
Basically I'm asking if the deal is a smart decision for the IAF.

 

[Rish]

Well, i don't think India will ever face the f-22 or j-35 so thats a non-issue. and as for the j-xx its far from being completed as far as i know. the mrca, whichever one is chosen should be capable enough to handle any potential threats the IAF may face for the foreseeable future

 

[Feanor]

What threads DOES India face? Chinese Flankers... Pakistani F-16s....... Where does the 5th generation threat enter the stage? I would think by the time China has the J-XX, India will have the FGFA.

 

[PeterCrisp]

If they go for the Eurofighter and opt for Tranche 3 they will have an extremely capable aircraft that is in no way outclassed by the F-22. Yes, the F-22 may be slightly better but not by a large margin and certainly not enough to claim that they are outclassed.

 

[funtz]

Hi, I was wondering about the actual usefulness about India's MRCA competition. There is a lot of hype about this being a huge defense deal and all. But will this deal be actually USEFUL to the IAF?

Yes it will boost up the squadron numbers, let the older types retire.

The deal is necessary for the Indian Air Force and had it been concluded during the 1999-2002 period it would have been even better.

From a Industrial stand point, the deal will bring in some business back into India, so that is better than nothing and for something necessary

The IAF wants 126 of these multi role aircraft, and the first is slated to be delivered no sooner than 2011. When this fleet of aircraft reaches full strength, won't they be outclassed by other aircraft such as the F-22, F-35, and J-XX programmes?

Basically I'm asking if the deal is a smart decision for the IAF.

The last aircraft will be delivered by 2020-2022, several hundreds of 4/4.5 generations aircrafts will be inducted in the region during the same time and will serve in the same time frame with the selected plane for MMRCA.
The MMRCA will not be outclassed in comparison with these planes.

F-35 will not be in play, unless The ones from Turkey land up in Pakistan.

F-22 will for the foreseeable future be absent from any neighbouring AFs.

Nothing is known about J-XX, in service before 2020, can only comment on something if there is something known about it.

 

[A.Mookerjee]

Yes it will boost up the squadron numbers, let the older types retire.

The deal is necessary for the Indian Air Force and had it been concluded during the 1999-2002 period it would have been even better.

From a Industrial stand point, the deal will bring in some business back into India, so that is better than nothing and for something necessary

The last aircraft will be delivered by 2020-2022, several hundreds of 4/4.5 generations aircrafts will be inducted in the region during the same time and will serve in the same time frame with the selected plane for MMRCA.
The MMRCA will not be outclassed in comparison with these planes.

F-35 will not be in play, unless The ones from Turkey land up in Pakistan.

F-22 will for the foreseeable future be absent from any neighbouring AFs.

Nothing is known about J-XX, in service before 2020, can only comment on something if there is something known about it.

Hello Funtz. Which is a better multi role aircraft, The SAAB, or the Rafale? Could you please give your opinion?

 

[A.Mookerjee]

India hopes to be a leader in aerospace technology, with assistance from other nations. Hopefully, India will also design cutting edge aircraft, like the F-22 Raptor, and the F-35 Lightning(?).

 

[funtz]

Hello Funtz. Which is a better multi role aircraft, The SAAB, or the Rafale? Could you please give your opinion?

Its Omnirole dès l'origine not some ordinary multirole, multirole is for sissies )

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/gripen/

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/rafale/

Both planes are built for their AF's, i assume they are the perfect planes for the respective air forces.

The Rafale was to replace the Jaguar, Crusader, Super Etendard, Mirage F1, Mirage 2000C/N/D.

JAS in gripen stands for Jakt (Air-to-Air), Attack (Air-to-Surface), and Spaning (Reconnaissance).