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Six aircraft: F-16IN & F-18E/F from the US; MiG-35 from Russia; Eurofighter from European Consortium; JAS-39 from Sweden and Rafale from France are now competing to win the Indian order of 126 fighter aircraft.
We will analyse what each fighter has to offer in detail.
F-16 IN Super Viper Block 70:
Advantages:
>F-16 is probably the most sold aircraft in modern history.
>F-16 has never been shot down in combat. Its combat record is 72-0.
>The version offered to India called; F-16 IN Block 70; will be the most advanced F-16 ever according to the manufacturer: Lockheed Martin.
>It is quite affordable around $ 50 million per aircraft.
Disadvantages:
>Pakistan operates F-16 Block 52 and knows the strengths and weaknesses of the aircraft.
>F-16 has been in service since 1978. Though the fighter has been upgraded thoroughly, all the F-16s in the U.S Air Force will be replaced by the advanced F-35 gradually 2013 onwards.
>So if we order F-16 now we will get all 126 only around 2020 and we then it will be an old fighter.
>Spares will be very expensive and future upgrades will be impossible because USAF will phase out the fighter.
Rank among the MMRCA Contenders: 6
F-18 E/F Super Hornet: The F-18 Super Hornet is the main fighter of the U.S Navy.
Advantages:
>F-18 E/F is highly durable.
>It is very easy and affordable to maintain.
>It has the most mature AESA RADAR: The AN/APG-79; operational in the world. The only better RADAR on a fighter is the APG-77 on the F-22.
>It is undergoing a number of upgrades. A stealthy Block III variant is being developed. Also, its RADAR is being upgraded into an "advanced capability" APG-79 and the engine performance is also being enhanced.
>The Super Hornet can be used in many roles like an AWACS and Electronic Warfare. It has a dedicated variant called E-18 Growler for the latter purpose.
Disadvantages:
>F-18 is not very fast or aerobatic when compared to modern fighters. This could be a huge disadvantage when dodging enemy missiles and in close combat with other fighters [called dogfights].
>Transfer of Technology and other restrictive agreements demanded by the U.S. would be a real downer . India would end up with a weapon which it has paid for but cannot use as per its requirements.
Rank among the MMRCA contenders: 2
MiG-35 Fulcrum-F:
Advantages:
>MiG-35 has many commonalities with MiG-29 which IAF already operates. Hence India can induct it spending the least amount of money, effort and time.
>Russia has offered complete Tranfer of Technology. Russia has also offerd to help India make its own advanced RADAR.
>It also has an AESA RADAR.
>India need not fear western sanctions to affect its national security as Russia is a time tested partner of India.
Diadvantages:
>It is just an upgraded MiG-29 and hence not a very wise option.
>It will keep India dependent on Russia. Indian Military will become Russian monopoly.
>It is outdone on all major factors like range,payload,RADAR capability e.t.c by India's Su-30 MKI [Flanker-H] which also costs approximately the same.
Rank among MMRCA contenders: 3
Eurofighter Typhoon:
Eurofighter Typhoon is the best fighter in contention atleast in its near future avatar. It is highly manouverable and has excellent sensors and capabilities. Its salient features are:
- It has excellent aerobatics and vectored thrust engines which means it is the hands down winner in a dogfight or close range fighting.
- An AESA RADAR called CAESAR is being developed for the fighter. It is claimed that it would be the best in business when it gets ready.
- It can deliver every weapon in NATO inventory including the Precision Guided Munition[PGM], AMRAAM, AIM-9x Sidewinder, ASRAAM and a whole range of new weapons like Meteor, Storm Shadow .............. The list just goes on.
- It can have any of the latest targeting pods including LITENING G4.
Disadvantages:
- It is very expensive.
- Some of the technology is reliant on the U.S and hence transfer of technology could be a problem.
- It is not a battle proven platform.
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