If we discuss just aircrafts then...
• Engine technology :
Absolutely YES but would be almost impossible to get to the levels we actually want. Engine tech is like a philosopher's stone; you sell it to someone and from that day onwards he never comes to you for buying gold.
• C-17 : Badly needed because there isn't much of international analogue nor can I think of an indigenous alternative anytime sooner. Compared to a fighter that might never see any combat during its whole service life, these are needed on "daily basis" from evacuation during floods to oxygen transport to acting as a mobile hospital.
But the problem is, it'll be a hella tough job to get these economically because of line closure.
• C-130J-30 : Would be good from logistical point of view as we already operate them. But if the ultimate value for cost is becoming too irrational then we always have C-390s.
• AH-64E : Not just totally not-required but even the Army order for 6 should be scrapped. But that's just one part of the coin, the other's HCH. We just can't cancel Apache and keep sitting on LCH that's yet to test ATGM; we'll have to rapidly field a HCH.
• F-35B : Bit iffy service record but most importantly, would burn the deck of our carriers. So it's better avoided.
• F-35A : Good plane but would require either a modification with fuselage section from C to accomodate probe-n-drogue refueling or we'll have to get dedicated boom refuellers for just two planes (P-8 and F-35)
• F-35C : On paper perhaps the best variant with good range and refuelling capability. Might also take-off from carrier with internal air-to-air load.
All the kill switch and "US will know everything" is just BS because to prevent Iran from flying their F-14s the most logical thing US found to do was to destroyer its whole fleet. And when one F-35 vanished then it took them a considerable time and also embarrassment to find it when it theory they could have used all those kill switches and backdoors and what not. The biggest REALISTIC problem with F-35s would be the integration of local subsystems and availability of spares. Imagine wating for a bunch of cocaine snorting, retarded congressman to pass your request for AMRAAM when China is actively attacking all the while having a full-fledged assembly line for much cheaper Astra Mk-II.
• F-16/15/18/21 : We don't need any; have analogue for all of them.
• P-8Is : It would be good if we get few pieces because these have shown great service record but the fact is these are slowly on their way to obsolescence because of UAVs.
• Refueler/AWACS/ELIT : Naah, not required. Maybe just a subsystem or two incase it really is a wunderwaffen.
• F-22 :
• UAVs : Can be good for stop-gap measures, especially higher end ones like Avenger. But this too can easily be done locally.
• EW platforms like Growler : Absolutely needed by as, we are nowhere in SEAD/DEAD. But the problem is that these are extremely confidential systems, maybe even more than F-35s.
