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- Sep 5, 2024
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IAF shouldn't go for more Rafales and use those funds elsewhere. By the time these are likely to inducted in numbers, PLAAF will have substantial fleet of 5th and 6th gen. Maybe even PAF will be operating 6th gen. Over the last 10 years, PLAAF has built a well integrated ecosystem in which their platforms and weapons can operate effectively. The same is being built on Pakistan front too. Chinese are now building them up overtly as a counter balance to India (especially IAF).Does buying 114 birds will guarantee that source code will be shared
SU30MKI is really versatile platform, I think focus should be on upgrading them and maybe acquiring more of these as the backbone of IAF. It can serve as:
- great SOW platform with

- SEAD & DEAD with Rudram 2 & 3
- Controller for loyal wingman UAVs
- Decent air-to-air with Virupaksha AESA and new longer range BVRs operating in the IAF ecosystem (IACCS).
Other than this maybe inducting LCA mk1A in numbers to at-least match JF17 numbers [around 180]. Focus on getting LCA mk2 and AMCA through development and testing ASAP.
Also missile arsenal size will be a factor, PSUs current rate of production is abysmal. For tactical ASM,

In my opinion, if any third party platform that makes sense buying from outside (capability wise) is 1-2 squadrons of F35A with AIM120C8s and AARGM-ER. Even if they are minimally integrated within IAF ecosystem, these operating by themselves will be a force to reckon with.
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