The F-18s are to supplement the frontline Su-30 MKIs.
Posted on 05/08/2008 11:59:14 PM PDT by Arjun
I want one.
“The US Lockheed Martin F-16, the French Rafale, the Swedish Grippen, the Russian MiG-23 and the Eurofighter Typhoon that is manufactured by a four-nation European conglomerate are the other aircraft in the fray”
I don’t claim to be an expert, but the Mig-23 seems like an odd bird in that crowd. Even with upgrades, I would think it would not be competitive with the other entries (except in price).
I could be wrong, though - like I said, I’m no expert here.
Actually its the mig-35 and I think the Super hornet and the Mig are the 2 main contenders. The IAF is actually happy with the performance of the Mig and it has the benefit of years of experience with the mig.
Superhornet lacks range but otherwise is really the best of the lot.
That’s most likely a type.
The plane on offer is the MiG 35.
Thanks! :) That (the MiG-35 being the actual plane) makes a lot more sense.
“Superhornet lacks range but otherwise is really the best of the lot.”
Range is not a matter because India is such a small country with short borders to Pakistan or India. Maybe for two F-18 India gets one KC-767 for free.
You're kidding, right? The F-18 will probably need to refuel more than twice to cover India's north-south extent.
As for a more realistic situation, say the planes needing to cross the Himalayas into China, the thinner and colder air will further reduce efficiency. Complicating that even more is China's geography- all their major cities are on the opposite end of the Indo-Chinese border.
The Indian Air Force wants to replace some MIG-21.
They already have some MIG-29.
I’m not quite sure what India wants?
Even a F-18 has a greater range than a MIG-21.
The F-18s are to supplement the frontline Su-30 MKIs.
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“Range is not a matter because India is such a small country “
Well No. India has a long border with China and so any MRCA has to be able to fly longer missions should a skirmish arise. MRCA cant be seen as Pak-centric.
That would have been difficult considering the Super Hornet didn't achieve IOC until November 1999.
>>the thinner and colder air will further reduce efficiency.
Wrong on several counts.
The MiG-23 is definately out of place. It wasn’t a good fighter when it was brand new.
The author is an idiot...since when does the UN have a navy? And the MIG-23 is an old aircraft introduced in the early 70s and retired in the 90s.
The higher the altitude (up to 40,000 ft), the more efficient a jet engine is. They are least efficient at sea level.
We're talking about the Superhornet here, not the original F-18. It has a much greater range than its younger sibling.
Older that is....
Yup, India is a small country, about 1/3rd the size of the US, with some of the highest mountain ranges
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