US is going to sell F-35 to UAE. This almost certainly means it will, if it hasn’t already, also offer the F-35 to India. Only question is can India afford it at $90 million per plane.
That’s true. But offering it to UAE certainly lowers the export threshold. It’s a good possibility that it may be offered to India as well if Quad or Asian NATO further formalizes.UAE hosts a the largest US naval base in the Middle East, one of the largest US airforce bases, and is considered THE"Best" counter-terror US ally in the Middle East.
What US bases does India host? It makes no sense why US would offer it to UAE, therefore "certaintly" offer it also to India already. That's Indian Logic right there.
Rafales cost like $200 million per plane, I'm sure India can afford it, but it has obviously not been offered.
That’s true. But offering it to UAE certainly lowers the export threshold. It’s a good possibility that it may be offered to India as well if Quad or Asian NATO further formalizes.
Meanwhile back in 1983 China's J-8 isn't even out yet and China is is stuck with its outdated fleet of J-7s, J-6s and J-5s (remember that on the very same year the F/A-18 Hornet was introduced into USMC service, and that a year ago on 1982 the Mig-29 was introduced into the Soviet VVS). Oh how times have changed...Impressive. That's half of the entire Tejas fleet in one photo. Sixteen jets delivered after 37 years of development. Some 40% of components are imported, including the engine, radar, the ejection seats, and even the MFDs.