Most of the IAF sanctioned Strength was made up of Short range interceptors (Mig-21) and then the MiG-23/27 and then Jaguars
But now in a way, we have replaced MiG-21 by Su-30 MKI as our main plane. Consider the Range of MiG-21 vs Su-30 MKI ? Huge differnce.
Su-30 MKI outperforms MiG-21 in terms of ability to detect enemy planes, able to carry three times more weapons, and that too of much longer range, and for almost 4 times the distance.
IAF is just counting the planes in numbers, Does the capability of the planes do not count? When the MiG-21 (purely defensive plane due to its short range) is replaced by Su-30 MKI which is an air dominiation plane designed to dominate the enemy skies, why are the numbers being so significant? What we have lost in nos, we have in terms of capabiliy.
IF IAF is worrying about numbers, they should buy kites of few lakh rupees and teach their pilots to fly those, that might bring the Squadron strength of "planes" to more than 50 squadrons, Guess what, low maintenance, can use and throw, no ToT required, is Made in India.
Get some sense into the nuts who sit on IAF top brass chairs.
Russia has reduced the nos of squadrons too, but they have improved the capability, The MiG-21 replaced by longer raanged MiG-29 and Su-30 and Su-35 thus few planes of few squadrons can manage air space which earlier needed more squadrons to plug the gaps.
Also having longer ranged planes means a force multiplier, where more planes can be brought up at a point to force the enemy to back down, thats not possible with shorter ranged planes
Considering both MK1 and Mk1A are delayed, the IAF will soon be short by 3 to 4 squadrons.
But if the govt gives the IAF the choice between 2 squadrons of MKI or Rafale, we know what the IAF will pick. It's not like the delivery time frame will be different for either jet.
The only way we will buy more MKI is if it's a political decision. The govt will be able to avoid more problems with the Rafale hullabaloo, and they will be able to placate Russia for the indefinite delay on FGFA.
The problem with this new order is, the jets will come in as CKDs from Russia and HAL will only assemble the jets. So it goes against the Make in India program. Otoh, Dassault will do much more than assembly with just a 36 jet order.
Any decision on MKI will either be due to sheer desperation on part of IAF since the govt is under pressure about Rafales, or a political deal with Russia. We will know for sure post elections.
Anyway, regardless of whether we order MKI or Rafale, we will get either jet 3 years after contract signature anyway. So the time frame is irrelevant.
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