sir Different air force may have different requirements ,since IAF is first time using this concept in a fighter jet (Twin seater combat jets) other then the odd Trainers ,it will be good to explore WSO concept ,
The MKI was never an experimental plane from the PoV of the IAF. They KNEW what they were doing when they dreamed of the MKI. From day one the MKI has had BOTH seats configured to fly. I am not sure if there is any other air craft that can claim this (from day one).
What other AFs do they do.
instead of Training two pilots (anyways only one will be flying at a time and it is expensive), nor our enemies are thousand of miles away, WSO concept should be explored that's my take
The pilots that entered the MKI stream were already very well trained - both of them. Perhaps that seems to have placed some strain on the IAF.
However I have looked around, but have not found anything of substance that indicates that the IAF is moving to a WSO concept.
On distances, I do not know what made the IAF design a dual seater that houses a pilot in both seats. But, for sure, they did it with something concrete in mind. And, we cannot go by any assumptions.