@Ramana-ji: Bingo! Hit the nail on the head.ramana wrote:The question is what about dwindling squadron numbers?fanne wrote:Pure devil's advocate - (and I still would want more MK1A rather than some phoren fighter (except Rafale - we should get 3-5 sq))
1. Mk1 and mk1a have limitations on range and payload (and size, meaning what extra features can be put into it) - they are Mig21 class fighters. Some are needed, IAF thinks 123 is sufficient, 183 maybe 60 too many.
2.Mk2 fits nicely into medium category where IAF wants most of its fighter to be in (its favorite M2K) - enough range and payload
It may not order more mk1 for the above reason. Or it could be phoren maal
These extra 60 can make up at least three squadrons and are good enough for TSP.
Actually, Mk2 is the swing fighter as it will make up for any shortages.
So crucial to stick to its milestones.
@Fanne: The Mk1A has the capability to execute a variety of missions that will be given to her, in partnership with other IAF assets that can sanitize the airspace she will be operating in. She is an AESA equipped fighter with a sizeable quantity of A2A and A2G munitions. The Mk1A is a not a WWII Supermarine Spitfire and I am not advocating to build numbers with, just for kicks.
To put MiG-21 Bison and Tejas Mk1A in the same sentence is an insult to the Tejas. She is leaps and bounds ahead of the Bison. Please do not mention that again Radius of Action of Tejas Mk1 (set aside the superior Mk1A) is greater than that of Jaguar. Tejas Mk1 (again, set aside the superior Mk1A) exceeds the DPSA capability of the Jaguar. Four squadrons of the Mk1A will replace the four MiG-21 BISON squadrons in service now. An additional 4 squadrons of the Mk1A can replace the 4 Jaguar squadrons (with greater firepower capability) that are planned to be in service till the middle of the next decade. The Mk1 is better than the non-upgraded Mirage 2000H. The Mk1A will be better than even the upgraded Mirage 2000I.
Adding additional Mk1A airframes will reduce the wear and tear on the 83 that have been purchased. In addition, using the 75% PBL of the Rafale fleet, if we apply that same calculation to the 83 Mk1A fleet, there is a fleet availability of 62+ aircraft (nearly 3.5 squadrons) at any given time. Adding another 60 Mk1As to the 83 that have been purchased will increase that number to 143 airframes in total. A 75% PBL of that number, will result in a fleet of 107 aircraft (nearly six squadrons), which is almost double the number of squadrons or airworthy airframes available at any given time. And this is in a perfect world - with zero attrition - which never happens. In Balakot, we lost one MiG-21 in just a skirmish.
Over Pakistani airspace (Western Theatre), the Mk1A is absolutely perfect. See what the opposition is (J-10CE, JF-17, F-16A/B MLU and C/D Block 50/52) and see how the Mk1A can be supported by other IAF assets (Su-30MKI, Rafale, Mirage 2000I, MiG-29UPG, S-400, etc). Greater number of Mk1As deployed against Pakistan, leaves a signification portion of the fleet to turn their attention against China (Eastern Theatre). This is doable, but ego and fear of losing out on triple digit phoren MRFAs, is in the way. The opposition lives in Air HQ's head.
Just like how Naval HQ is *NOW* examining the possibility of additional Scorpenes (after wasting years over P-75I) and follow on Vikrant Class (again wasted valuable time), Air HQ will order additional Tejas Mk1As when the numbers get precariously low. Will order only in piecemeal (83 now and then 'X' later) and then have the gall to complain that the local maal is very expensive. Amazing how we operate, it truly is.