The Gun IMHO is a *essential* weapon for all strike aircraft. By strike aircraft I dont mean the kind which drop JDAMs from high altitude and run back, but the kind of doctrine the IAF follows; go in at deck level with unguided munitions. Lets not forget that even the big SU and F-22 retain guns.Arun_S wrote:In the age of long range missiles, very sort range weapons like guns dont find useful place in the air tactice. Much like dagger has lost relavence in ground warfare.
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The air engagement would have long become decisive before it comes down to the option to wield the gun. In Indian context pehaps it will be some time before it becomes irrelevent.
As late as Op Safedsagar aircraft were firing their guns in ground attack - though this led to a loss of one aircraft.
The only argument that favours the weight advantage received is that the IAF never intends to fly the two-seater Jaguar in a 'conventional' strike mission - only for precision strike (the DARIN II upgrades support this theory).