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Thing is PRC has been a comprehensive industrial and technological partner for PAF, the kind we expected US to be in Indian context but it has not happened at all.I guess you are new to the defence community, any veteran would know how famous Su30MKI was in the 2000s !!
Too bulky and its basically an AWCS killer, not a jet killer
MRFA is basically MMRCA with a slightly smaller number. OG MMRCA was brought to buy Mirage 2000, now we have even Su-57 competing in it
No, it had MICA back then. Also, irrespective of how advanced Rafale is today or F5 is in the future, it will remain inferior to J35. Underestimating Chinese planes would be fatal!!
R37 is basically an AWACS killer, it's too heavy based on 80s tech, while PL15 is a modern dual pulse missile. Astra 2 is comparable to PL15!!
Personally, I would say more than government and PSUs, it's the IAF which is more responsible for the current situation !!
One thing you have to give it to PAF is the way they have been able to keep the shoot first advantage since 2012 when they first operationalized AIM120 C5. Based on open source data, Meteor should have a first shoot advantage compared to PL-15E.
But it doesn't look like it was used on May6-7th clash. Just speculating here, maybe IAF had Meteors equipped later on May 9th & 10th and that's why PAF did not challenge IAF strikes.
Based on PRC and Pakistan collusion, I won't be surprised if PAF has Chinese spec PL-15 just labelled as PL-15E, that version has a marginal range advantage when compared to Meteor. Also watch out for PL-17 coming in.
I think quickest and maybe even the cheaper way to deal with this for IAF is to equip longer range BVRs like Astra 2, Astra 3, Sky Sting onto SU-30MKI & Astra 2 & 3 on LCA mk1A. Not sure, if we can rely on Dassault integrating local or Israeli BVRs on Rafales in a reasonable timeframe. So, getting series production of Astra 2 & 3 up and running ASAP is critical.
Re PAF, it has only ~25-30 J-10CE or 40-50 J-17 block 3 that can fire PL-15/E, so around ~80 shooters max (not considering availability rates or anything).
In my opinion, PAF has taken ownership of it's destiny and almost been working in a survival/crisis mode so that they can maintain their relevance in India-Pak military scenario. IAF on the other hand is deflecting at least publicly onto HAL, Babudom or lack of funds. Without JF-17s, PAF is a force with just 25-30 J10CE, 12 F16 block52 newly acquired fighters, other ~55 f16s are almost 40 years old (though upgraded to fire AIM-120C5). IAF would have been in a much better shape if it had around 100 LCA mk1A that could fire Astra 2.
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