Option A : Order MRCA, get jets delivered, build & maintain credible air force.
Option B : Order Tejas, face endless delays, no guarantee of timelines.
Option C : Balance between A & B, order A in small numbers for B to mature and buffer the anticipated delays.
The wisest option is indeed option C. But that won't make fanboys happy isn't it because they can't foresee the clear planning and supply chain hurdles. They think put money in machine => Tejas comes out of other side.
Now IAF pretty much ditched both option A & C and went full-power with option B. Half of 2020s decade is gone. Where are my Tejas now ?
Of course 36 Rafales are not gonna do shit. We needed at least 72 (4-5 Sqns minimum) as stop-gap so that we can take time to make Tejas Mk1 / Mk2.
But GoI to butter the Make-In-India bread killed our short-term air power capability and ordered only 36.
Also to note, PLAAF was not in our focus & doctrine before 2020.
Of course, instead of building credible Armed Forces strength, give it to useless freeloader workers and socialist union PSUs with negative productivity. A job creator khatakhat scheme indeed !
This is why we are not a powerful country, because we are not serious about defence.
