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This is an interesting thread. Shouldn't someone be asking what has prompted this scenario though? Respectfully guys, take a look at this... ["US accused of fuelling arms race with $20bn Arab weapons sale
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
Monday July 30, 2007
The Guardian

The Bush administration is facing claims that it is fuelling an arms race in the Middle East following the disclosure of a plan to sell $20bn (£9.8bn) of advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

The plan, which will be announced today, will be balanced by a 25% increase in US military and defence aid to Israel. A further $13bn will be pledged to Egypt.

"This administration does not have an arms sales policy, except to sell, sell, sell," said Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association. "That approach in the Middle East can be like throwing gasoline on a brush fire."]
The Guardian article in full

Then this...

Quote: Picture:["A U.S. F-15C fighter, bottom, and an Indian Sukhoi-30 fighter fly in air combat maneuver during a joint air exercise over Gwalior, India, last February.

"Tuesday, July 13, 2004 By Jack Kelly, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In a joint exercise in February, U.S. Air Force pilots flying the top U.S. fighter, the F-15C, got chewed up by Indian military pilots flying new, and not so new, Russian fighter planes.

The Air Force won't disclose exactly how the mock engagements turned out, but Gen. Hal Hornburg, head of Air Combat Command, said afterward, "We may not be as far ahead of the rest of the world as we once thought we were."
Post Gazzette article

I remember when that happened.
The USAF pilots were only allowed to fly inside certain altitudes while the Indian pilots were allowed to go as high or as low as necesary, if I remember correctly.
Kind of like letting a tennis player use the doubles lanes and you have to stay in the service boxes.

The F-15 has never been shot down in combat as far as I know. I would be shocked if in an even playing field the USAF would get their butts kicked.

,”This administration does not have an arms sales policy, except to sell, sell, sell,” said Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association. “That approach in the Middle East can be like throwing gasoline on a brush fire.”’

Perhaps. If we weren’t to sell to the Saudis and the rest, Russia, India and China surely would, no?

I think the current idea is to arm our friends with superior American weapons, so the others abandon expansionist plans.

What do you think of the theory that Iran has no choice but to try and seize oil fields elsewhere, since its reserves are running out?