Re: New interceptors for the Argentine Air Force?
Interesting. Well here’s a possible list of aircraft, which I have updated since originally starting this thread:
1) JAS-39 Gripen, but it has British Avionics/Radar, etc…., and they own an interest in Saab so that eliminates the JAS-39. Too bad, since it’s such a great aircraft and inexpensive to maintain.
2) The SU-27 this would be my first choice. Two squadrons of 12 aircraft each plus 4 OCU aircraft would do nicely.
3) The Mig-29 would also work well and could be purchased much cheaper than the SU-27. The maintenance and support issue really concerns me though.
4) The F-18 was rejected because it has two engines. This poor excuse since Spain purchased some additional F-18 from desert storage for around $US20 million each (with extra engines to boot). It was rejected on two reasons; first it’s American and the second is that the English were concerned that Argentina could have an American Aircraft with BVR AMRAAM.
5) The F-16 was rejected because of under belly intake and runway debris ingestion (an unlikely story, I could use the same excuse as above).
6) The Rafale was rejected because there would be no technology transfer and its way too expensive and unaffordable.
7) The J-10 could be an interesting and great option. However I don’t see China selling one of their best aircraft to Argentina, since there is no track record, or long term alliance.
8) The Spanish Mirage F-1’s they were originally rejected because of the airframe fatigue, but yet now they are being purchased (I still cannot get by head wrapped around this deal).
9) The JF-17 that’s near the performance of the F-16 and would cost less to maintain and upgrade.
9) The Jordanian Mirage F-1’s (that deal is now DOA)
10) Which leaves us with the Mirage 2000, but nobody will sell them since they’re still useful.
11) The AT-50 would be very nice but the F404 engine would kill the deal.
12) We could consider the Kfir, but at $US20 million each you’re better off with JF-17s
My two cents:
the ONLY logical option is JF-17, with eyes closed. And one should reach this conclusion within 5 minutes.
The rest are just infeasible.
I used to chat in an Argentine military forum for a short while years ago. Except perhaps 1 or 2, most of Argentine’s forumers were a bit delusional without a clear goal, like some spoiled 15-yr-olds seeking to buy the best iphone in the market. A few of them had a goal, rightly or wrongly, but soon lost it as they moved forward.
What is the only realistic goal for Argentine then?
No, mister, it’s not Looking For a Best Fighter.
The goal should be a tight combination of some objectives, none of which can be compromised.
Objectives/Goal:
A. Non-made-by-UK: obvious enough?
B. Non-made-by-US : for the same reason of A, otherwise F-16 would be the top choice, far better for Argentina at its current stage than any other US warbirds. (also forget about Gripen due to its US engines)
C. Non-made-by-France: France is one of the closest strategic allies of the UK. They share a navy together at the moment for God’s sake. Argentina buying a French warplane, being Rafale or Mirage, against the UK, will be 1982 2.0 again, as simple as that. Not even for FREE.
D. Economically affordable: This takes out operational-expensive Su-30s and its other heavy variants which are perhaps too much for the current Argentina.
E. Upgradeable: you don’t want to be stuck with a V 1.0 forever, but constant modern goodies coming along. It requires a deep pocket and long term dedication of the seller. This takes out both minor sellers such as Kfir etc, and financially bankrupt-prone Migs.
F. Enough tech transfer that could kick-start both Agentina’s aviation industry and airforce experiences/knowhow on modern 4th gen fighters: since F-16 and Mig -29 are out, J-10A is not for sale for the moment, JF-17 therefore is the ONLY choice left that meets not only F but all of other objectives.
JF-17 is the GOLDEN choice. Argentina can modernise its entire airforce most efficiently and quickly, not only front line fighters but also air defence etc as well, a whole backet of deal NO OTHER country in the world could be able to match. It’s also good for the economy. Since JF-17 is not at level with EF Typhoon, it won’t immediately change the statue quo, hence both the UK and China will also be at ease. The sooner Argentines realise this the better.
