[PAR35]

Boeing has a large presence at Aero India where, apart from the F-18, it is also showcasing the C-17 heavy-lift transport, the C130J Super Hercules

Boeing is showcasing the C-130? Is Boeing promoting MiGs and Rafaels as well? Or does the writer not know what he is talking about.

[omnivore]

Yeah, hard to believe Boeing would be pushing the C-130 as that's made by its main competitor, LM.

Hard to say which of the candidate airframes India might want to choose, since several of them serve the various tasks differently, and India's existing capability (esp. Su-30 and Jaguar) is pretty broad. The F/A-18E/F is much more a striker than an air superiority ("dominance" in the latest jargon) system. If they want air to air dominance, get the latest block F-16. The Jaguars are great strikers. The main attraction of the F-18 series is its "jack of all trades" flexibility, not exceptional performance in any area other than strike/close support. With India already operating and/or building a wide assortment of aircraft, it's hard to see that this flexibility from one airframe gains them a lot.

For what it's worth, if they're looking for a straight alternative to the F/A-18E/F, the closest thing on the market is the Rafael. But I can't see India going that direction. France is an unreliable ally. The US is solid and India knows it.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Indian "defense" journalists-the less said about their (in)competence,the better.