Confirms the delivery of the first batch of the new Rafales before the end of this year. I was honestly hoping it would be sooner than that, if for any other reason than just so that we can put the damn Meteor & MICA-NG drama to rest and behind us once for all.
The confirmation of the specific weapons package as well as the upgrade of the original 24 jets to F3-R standard would be really nice to know. Being left in the dark about those two issues is a bit aggravating.
As far as the Golden Eagle is concerned, the more I see it the more I'm liking it, bro. I can really see why they were hot to trot on that particular aircraft despite my leaning more towards the Tejas. And this is no knock on the Indian jet by any stretch of the imagination, but the quality build in the FA-50 is phenomenal! I suspect it's even on par or better than the Aermacchi M-346. I'm sure its avionics/sensors are about as state of the art as can be which adds to the desirability of that aircraft.
But then again, we're back to the weapons package being the main issue I have with it. We're so in the dark about that subject which I consider ought to be a rather important factor in this particular selection process, despite it seemingly already being made.
And now with the interest in the Hurjet, that seems like an almost better option than the FA-50 because the Turks would be willing to supply their domestic versions of the aircraft's related advanced weapons. But then again there might also be a sticking point with that as well since we're not sure if those Turkish weapons are 100% indigenous or they contain American parts which then puts them under ITAR and we're back at full circle with the FA-50 and the Tejas. We know that weapons such as the ASTRA missile is 100% Indian, therefore there wouldn't be any ITAR issues, but the aircraft does use the GE-404 and again possibly bringing in at the least US friction. However, perhaps the RD-33MK would be an option (which I think it is) so there might be a way around any potential US blockage of the advanced weapons which I feel are a MUST in any of these 3 scenarios. What a bumbulamgum, ey?
What about you? Any preference one way or the other? I'd like to know what
@Ramses Akhenaten Ahmose &
@Ghostkiller think about this also. I know where
@Sami_1 stands, I think. He seems to be good with the FA-50 but I wonder if this weapons dilemma might alter his opinion. With him it would be rounded down to two choices instead of three since he does have a good point about the Hurjet not having enough time in service. It's a valid point and certainly a consideration, but the weapons I think brings it right back into the discussion.