Rafale wins over Super Hornet

Rafales has made many in roads after a slow start in its sales. It feels like in those days it was Rafales against the world. Many countries loved the idea of Rafales serving in their airforce but due to unfair disadvantages created by their competitors Rafales lack success in its international sales. The Koreans for one was very keen in deciding on the French fighter only to be politically pressured by US to choose the F15. Brazil's government was also keen on Rafales only to delay their decision because of cost, however found themselves pressured again by US government to move their choice to F18. The matter is still undecided until today. Singapore too was interested in Rafales but had chosen F15 because they had better relationship with America. Saudi was duped into choosing Eurofighter only to learn that was it not a mature fighter or a multirole one and was not allowed to used Litening pod, ended up using Damocles pod made of course by who else but the French.

This was to change when India unaffected by the unfair pressure of Rafale competitors chosen the best aircraft offered to them or rather the best in service to this date. The Indians found the French aircraft would be the best because of so many reasons ie. it's overall capability being a multirole fighter, France most fair stance on international matters and relationship ( ie. no arms embargo especially at crucial times) as well future potential of the aircraft. Hence the buy of 126 with further for more option went through.

Super Hornets in turned had a great start. Well F 18 A/B/C/D was great aircraft to begin with. Everything that was good from the old Hornets were incorporated in the F 18 E/F. Short comings from the old aircraft were addressed Ie. its size was increased to add more range, hard points and a better size radar. Better avionics were installed to allowed AESA radar and JHMCS. Most important of all and what matters to its probable clients are its potential in future development. Boeing has a stealth upgrade as well as all glass cockpit upgrade available for the Super Hornet while its arsenal ie. missiles and weapon system are always improved while new ones are developed.

However the infamous source code hingers around any sales of American fighters. Further weakness of the Super Hornets is it is just a 7.5G capable fighter. it is said the earlier Hornets are able to take in more Gs and are more manoeuvrable than E and F type. It too has 11 hard points while most fighter types has a lot more now. By the way the Harpoon air to sea surface missiles used by it is subsonic as compared to Russians and French made ones are of supersonic. Maybe these are the reasons most countries especially the current F 18 operators are moving away from F 18s for future fighter aircrafts.

Most current F18 C/D operators were very interested because they were very good for its time. However F35 stole some of the market away. Only Australia has so far bought into its Super Hornets. That also is just because there is delay in the F 35 programme. Some of its airforce officers too have question  this decision favouring the Typhoon instead. Kuwait being one of the old Hornet user  now is interested in Rafale too. She is waiting for UAE to leap first along with Qatar and Oman into buying them. While Switzerland has opted Gripen based on cost although they favoured the Rafale. Malaysia too because of cost is still contemplating on Super Hornets or even the lease of Gripen, and trying very hard not to forget Rafale because of its capability and Typhoon because of its potential.

Rafales do not have the same weakness as Hornets has above, furthermore what is best about this omnirole fighter is that it has the ability to use US and European made arsenals apart from its own, that is of the French which by themselves are quite excellent by the way.

Of course Rafales only weakness is that it is not a stealth aircraft. It is also does not has a electronics warfare type like the Growler although I hear Spectra is gud enough. One that worries most airforces the most about it is its avaibility of future development. However it is a ready made plane for all its intent and purposes, more than enough for today existing threat.

Dassault presently has manage to sell 126 Rafales abroad while Boeing has only manage to sell 24 F18 abroad units abroad. It is the sales of the aircraft abroad instead of local ones that sayhow good the aircraft is, would you agree?

Rafales and Typhoon...to lease or not to lease?

Many countries can only dream to own fighter jets in especially in the numbers they desire. However only the rich or dire straits countries can or find excuses to afford them. Truthfully they are too expensive for anybody. Many countries we know have delayed not only their acquisition but their choice in the types of aircraft, not once but again and again.

Many true 4.5 generation fighters are too expensive for many especially Asian countries. That is why they opted for Russian fighters or Gripen and even second hand F16s. Thailand too having second thoughts of buying the second batch of Gripen while Malaysia has delayed its tender for MRCA many times over. Indonesia is struggling to form full squadron of her SU 30s and F 16s.  Philippines still in want has nothing much to show. Only Singapore and India you can say comfortably bought the expensive F15s and Rafales. The same parody plays around the world where non oil rich countries lies.

Saab is smart to take this opportunity by offering Gripen for lease. By doing so they can block other war jets being sold. In the long run if the country accept their lease the said country might just buy into them at the end of the lease because the Gripen by then is fully develop to address its weakness and the country's economic condition has improved or grown enough after the years to own them. After all many European countries for decades have practised leasing fighters for decades and some of them have actually bought them in the end.

I am quite sure if Bae or Dassault offer leasing as an other option many countries would jump to the opportunity. Typhoon much like the Gripen, Multirole fighter that lacks maturity would best follow Gripens path.

Dassault with a mature multirole Rafales may do better of course. Even Brazil being at the other end of the world of Asia would take this leap of faith leasing the aircraft. Malaysia's RMAF that will seriously consider Saab offer should MRCA programme be delayed again will gladly lease other types especially Typhoon and Rafales should they be offered the same.

Off late it would seem Dassault has made a good pitch to the Malaysian Goverment. It's best to also include leasing Rafales as the other or last option. By doing so if Rafales is chosen for leasing, no other aircraft is chosen and they later could be bought at a later date when Malaysian economy is doing much better. A number of 24 units can also be offered instead of the 18 that RMAF wants if these numbers are found to be cheaper if bought rather than leased.

Malaysian also bares no risk because let say in ten years she decide on any stealth fighters she can just return Rafales to the French. By that time the French may be able to afford and need more fighters. They got a ready made ones if they decide on this path. They can be sold as second hand which with great sureness many country would jump to the excellent opportunity to buy.

Of course the Europeans got to be really careful not to be too greedy in making to much profit through sales or even leasing. Just remember anyone can come up with the viable idea of leasing Super Hornets as well or better yet especially if the term is so right, the cheap lease of second hand but upgraded (with the Boeing Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) )F18 Ds. That will put the rest definitely out of the game.

The new Europe should be in Asia to compete

European build fighters jets are considered among the dearest in the world. This is so true when  you compare them Russian and American made ones. Their high aquisition cost negatively effect their sales, and we have not begin to compare them to present or even future Asian made jets. At the end Europe Aviation companies will lose out to their competitors, especially the Asians.

One way out of this mess is that the Europeans must build assembly lines in a few Asian countries to bring down the cost of manufacturing them so that they can be successfully sold back to the Europeans as well as other customers in the middle east and Asia at cheaper rate.

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and even the Philippines are countries Europeans can build their parts in. The parts can later be export to Europe for the final assembly in European factories. Better yet assembly lines should be build in Asia to build these aircrafts.  Both option will definitely make their aircrafts a whole lot cheaper, the second option more than the first of course. That way European fighters are more affordable and many sales can be made there on. Money gain from the sales shall be used to finance the design and build their future stealth fighters and even futuristic drones as well as weapons. Furthermore they need to compete with Americans and Russian stealth products right now instead of later. And this is the only way to do it.

Even by the ways mentioned above the Europeans can dratiscally bring down on their acquisition as well as their maintainence cost when they buy into these aircrafts. Of course this will cause more unemployment in Europe. However money saved from buying cheap aircraft and operating it and also the profit made from selling cheaper aircraft can be use to create future as well as other lines of products where new jobs are made available for them.

Singapore security...or insecurity?

Singapore has the the most powerful airforce in Southeast Asia. This is understandable considering the fact that she is a small rich state surrounded by many big but not so rich ones.

Her Fighter jets such as 24 F 15s, 62 of many types of F16s and few early airborne warning aircrafts contribute to such projection of power.  Apache attack helicopters and even M346s fulfills the air to ground attack role. She also keep many of her war jets abroad for training as well as for "just in case" scenarios.

Her latest acquisition of 24 F15 was a result of Malaysia as well as Indonesia owning numerous SU 30s and its variations, and they made sure the Eagles they bought were the most advanced that was availabled in the market. Earlier right after Malaysia bought her 18 Mig 29s, Singapore went on to order more of the newer types F16s to add on to the many they already have had. Phyton missles to were bought from Israel to counter the Russian archer missles bought by the Malaysians Air Force. It would seem that she has to compete and win even at the acquisition level.

By Singapore acquisitions and operations of her war jets as well as her other military equipments we can feel and see that she is distrustful of her peaceful neighbours. The lion island seemed to act like they are at anytime going to be overiden by them. Funny, we usually judge others base on how we see ourselves to be.

Malaysia's Corruption...or the World's?

Malaysia is heading for another election. Her opposition is depending on allegations of corruption practices of the ruling government to win. The Scorpene submarine deal was said to have clinched the local brokers RM 500 million. There were also desperate attempts to link the stolen of 2 F 5Es jets by RMAF personals to the politicians of the governing party. Even the long ago acquisition of secondhand Skyhawks in the eighties were brought up in this present time in attempts to link it to dodgy deals as a result of RMAF could only used 44 out of the 88 jets that have been bought. In actual truth , in this latter case, Malaysia, a new and naive nation got con by the Americans.

But what is corruption? It is when you give something in value to someone who can give an advantage above others. However this definition is too general to take real operative and constructive effect.

So in truth corruption is defined by the countries you lived in. And every country is corrupted by their own design.

In America the lobbyist are said to only be legally allowed to charge three percent of commission of the award value. However the pricing are inflated so that the lobbyist can earn a whole lot more. That is why a single hammer used for military purpose cost USD 10,000 while a ladder for an F 16 cost USD 16,000. A ladder to a MIG 29, only cost USD 2000. The money earned by the lobbyist will help put or senators, congressmen and presidents in power. In return future contracts worth in USD trillions are awarded for their financial support once elected. Strangely these are not acts of corruption by American capitalist democratic standard.

It has come to the point where "at what cost does not matter" as long as the American lobbyist make can make loads of money ie. National Rifles Asscociation lobbyist bought over politicians to support a no ban sales of assault weapons at the cost of priceless civilians lives inespecially children.

I have also heard British politicians mets businessmen in private rooms of gentleman club, arranged by its owner for a percentage of the deal.

Even Singapore, known to be a squeaky clean is not that clean. They just know how to eat without having any chili stuck between their teeth.

The Korean Kid with his War Toys

Remember when we were so much younger, girls would be playing with their dolls while boys with their toy guns. When we grew up most of us started playing with real toys, woman with their babies and men in America buy and shoot their assault rifles and pistols.

When we were kids as boys we would line up miniture soldiers along their tanks against its enemy, fly warplanes on them and make explosive sounds with our voice.  From doll or playing houses to plastic soldiers as well as many more, I am sure there is always a kid inside of us that will never grow up.

Now there is a new kid in the block and guess what, he has real war toys in his hands. His plastic soldier are made of more than 1 million real lives and souls. His got jet fighters, artillery, rockets, missiles at his disposal. Military exercises with real explosions liken to us playing soldiers in the play ground.

America should have never poke the bees nest by sending in nuclear-capable B-52s and B-2 stealth bombers for its joint military drills with South Korea. Now this young Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader has got great excuse to play around with his toys. There is no telling what he might do as he might be young and naive and high spirited enough to try out his war toys, unlike his mature father who have seem what damage war could do and try to avoid it as much as possible. Video showing him observing and instructing war exercise made it seem war is very likely. Or he could also be pulling our leg. There is no telling how this young man can react, that is why it has got the rest of the world worried.

US has no other option than to back off rather than than risking a nuclear war or at least a war of missiles and artillery with jets, ships and submarines in which the American have no doubt of winning, but to what cost?

LIMA 2013...to ifinity and beyond!!!

LIMA is unique as it is the only show in the world that exhibits both aerospace and maritime technologies at a single venue and time. Such was possible because it is being held on an island of Langkawi, north west of Malaysia. Of course nearly every country in Asia has an event or two to call their own but none so far has the uniqueness of LIMA. Apart for the fusion of both landscape based products offered, it also not only offer assets that comes from the west or pro west countries but also at the same time from the east, Russia and its pro east countries. The Mig 29 procument ensured Russia participation. Even China took up the opportunity to participate; intorducing the many types of ships at their display booth. This is something you would not get anywhere around the world, not at the level found in neutral Malaysia's LIMA. Government and military personnels all over the world have used this window to survey what' is available on the market at the same time to check out their competitors capabilities and offers. For instance more than 25 top airforce comanders and 300 senior military delegates attended it. That is why LIMA considered one of the best gate way to Malaysia's and even Asia's, not forgetting of course the world's markets. This is where the multibillions deals are pursued and signed.

Since Malaysia is in need for 18 multiroles combat aircrafts, fighters like  F18, Rafale, Eurofighter and also Gripen provide static and air displays to impressed her governmental, military and civilians visitors. Their models, their armaments as well as by products are exhibited at their booth respectively. 

Malaysia's Mig 29 and SU 30 provided ground and air display. 

Maybe LIMA should add land vehicles for the armies as part of the show, but then again maybe they should not as that would change its positioning. After all why fix something that is not broken. 

How can Malaysia improve her air arms based on Lahad Datu operation?

RMAF F 18 and Hawks superbly executed their roles in Ops Daulat in Lahad Datu. The army's old but reliable war horses Nuris also perform without any glitches.  Nuri However are not attack helicopters and can only be used to transport armed personnel and maybe conduct light attacks on the enemies. Two more  helicopters Augusta Westland 109 are sent to help Malaysia's arm forces along with eight armour vehicles.  The army can use them for recon missions as well as air assaults with its heavy machine guns. The same applies to Navy's Lynxes if needed..

There is no sign that the skirmishes will end any time soon because of the difficulty finding the Sulu intruders in the said terrain. No doubt sulu does not have a chance against the Malaysian military arms, however they will definitely cost a substantial injuries and cost of life. This however will not hamper Malaysian defending Sabah as part of its sovereign territory. At the end of the day Sultan Kirams effort would be totally fruitless.

There are many lessons that can be learnt from this turmoil.

1. Rafales can also do the same job as the F18 D, only better as proven in Libya and Mali. So Rafales should be the the popular choice, if affordable.

2. F 18D are lethal in its multi roles platform, although old and short in range. More F 18 secondhand can be bought to supplement the current available unit if Rafales or other reliable types are found to be unaffordable. Malaysia is lucky that they can bomb the intruders this time, I assume that source codes were given. A second hand F18 D is considered an ok buy in this case.  Paying not so high for these aircrafts helps, especially to ease the graze ego and tight pocket when source codes are not given for needed security operations. Their are cheap being secondhand, logistically easy to operate as proven so in the past all have high rate of operability or servility, and since we already have them commonality cost are as good as zero, but most importantly they are very effective in their roles.

3. Of course acquiring a few eyes in the sky in the likes of Hawkeyes or Erieyes would tremendously help to monitor the movement at Sabah's coastal line, so that there will be no more or lesser intrusion of Sulu terrorist onto the land.

4. More Lynxs and Fennecs should be acquired to help the navy ships and boats patrol and chase infiltrators. Their guns and missiles will be there to back the special forces when things get worse.

5. Malaysia should sign up for attack helicopters like the Europters Tigre. It will help reducing loss of life of her military personnel, especially in this Lahad Datu scenario. Leasing options should seriously be considered for at least six Tigres or even Mil 28s as the need is dire. They can be sent in a hurry from Europe or Russia as they would not be using them any time soon, fast enough for the army air arm to train and put it to good use after. Countries in Europe and Russia would jump to this opportunity just because they need the money. The choppers can be bought as secondhand units if both parties find it agreeable later.

6. Local industry should locally invent and build more types of drones that can locate and destroy targets. They can work together with foreign counterparts so that they can evolve the local technology at a faster rate. This can also help pushing forward local industries and reduce future fatalities.

RMAF Hornets sting while Hawks claw in Lahad Datu

RMAF attack in Tanduo Village,  Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia began on Tuesday 5th March at 700 am. Three RMAF F 18 D Hornets and five Hawks 208 lead the attacks by bombing the Sulu Armed intruders positioned at Tanduo. Artilery and mortar bombardment followed after. Drones were used to assess the destruction caused. Ground troops, namely police and army forces then went in mopping up the areas of any survivors. Couple of fire fights took place with what is left of the enemies. A classic war tactics, where projection and concentration of firepower in their sequences was well executed!

A small number of Sulu army, less than 100 or so, unrecognised by the Philippines of course, entered Sabah and claimed it for their Sulu Sultan, Kiram the III. Malaysia's government called for negotiations but was refuse by the intruders. Malaysia government exhaust all peaceful means when some members of her police and army was ambushed and killed by them. Hence the country's defence forces then initiated Ops Daulat. The plot played out sounds ridiculously like it is from a action novel or movie script. But this is real news. It really happened!

According to local media reports Malaysian Hornets used laser guided bombs, most probably lasered by ground troops, possibly Paskaus (RMAF ground elite unit), even army Commando themselves.

Hawks also bombed the said targets with dumb bombs, it is unclear if they used rockets.

Reports has it the the jets turned and made a couple of pass over the targets, most probably these were Hawks because Hornets could hit many targets in one pass, the advantages of a true multirole fighters. However Hawks 208 are specially designed ground attack aircraft, able to fly slower enabling them to hover around and identify the targets and hit it with bombs, rockets and cannon if its carrying one. Of course attack helicopters could do some of jobs better in aspect of ground attack (Malaysia has not any at the moment) . Be as that may it definitely can be said that the RMAF used whatever assets that are available to them strategically spot on.

Malaysia's local military magazines in the past had reported many similar exercises was held, similar from the aspect of the sequences and even nature of the attack by different arms of her defence forces. Its true what they say "practice makes perfect" and it is "just like practice".

This is the first time Malaysia has used their acquired modern jets in fury. Now that has been a long time since her Skyhawks and F5Es was used to counter the communist insurgency more than 20 years ago. Hornets and Hawks never had the chance to use their stings and claws for Malaysia was peaceful until now. Their Sukhoi 30s and Mig 29 missed the boat this round as they are more of air superiority fighters or interceptors, although I am sure a few of them would patrol the respective areas to maintained a clear sky for the air operation to take place. The least they would be on standby ever ready to execute their respective duties.

All in all Malaysians are aggrieved by the lost of personnels of their arm forces, at the same time proud of their police and arm forces for the courage shown and sacrifice made as well as congratulate them for a job well done.

My condolences to the families who have lost their love ones in this struggle to defend their great nation.

This post this dedicated to the fallen heroes.

MRCA, the qualifiers?

SU 30 MKs, F 18s, Rafales and just maybe F 15 as well as the little F16 are the only available MRCA available in the market today. The rest are just desparate wannabes, ever unshamefully claiming to be in the exclusive group.

Gripen and Typhoon are trying very hard to be accepted in mile high club. There is much work to be done until they qualify if ever they do.

Majority of future fifth gereration stealth fighters that are from Russia/India Korea/Indonesia and China are lasing their sights towards the multirole concept too. F 35 seem to take the same path too, whether its one engine allows it to be so reamins to be seen. Even surprisingly Iran have stated that their just out of the news stealth fighter will have multirole capabilities.

While F22 and one of Japan have never stated that is their intention apart from maintaining only air superiority role. There have been talks of F 22 having multirole capability but no actuall decision to the effect have been made, topics on this are rather ignored by the relevant authorities. Of course America have other types to do the job.

However not all countries can afford many types of fast jets in their airforces. Majority of the buyers market wants only one type of aircraft, the most two to do the required jobs that are needed.. That is why one type that would do most jobs would be best for many, especially for economic and logistic sustainability.

Europe and Japan stealth merger

It is no secret that US will not sell its F 22 to anyone, even to it's closest allies, so to get at least some of fifth generation capabilities many countries have bought into the JSF programme, with also the hope of profiting from the soon to be created industry as incentive for their support.

Any future fighters programes of Europe after Typhoon may not be conceivable due to failure of merger of BAE and EADS. It is no surprise that this engagement miserably failed. Could this be because BAE already comfortably have its hands in JSF cookie jar, a sizeable portion too I must say.

The rest of Europe and Japan must come together to came up with new stealth fighter to counter the threat of stealth fighters from China, Russia/India and also Korea/Indonesia.

Eureopean and Japanese Monies and technology will help to push the programme to its furthest while their economic scale will help to keep it well alive and its price down. Foreign sales will ensure its profitability.

Obama soars like a F15 Eagle..

Obama won! Thank god as there would be lesser wars, lesser US pressure and more dialog worldwide. It would seemed the Democrats are more liberal when dealing with world issues rather than the Republicans. Nick Romney wanted more F22 and other battle machines which means more wars as well as more people dying. He though lost has won about half of the popular votes of the conservative Americans. That goes to show that many of them namely the American whites somehow still believes in white supremacy that leads to not only profiling of individuals but also of nations and acts that came after it.

Pakistan will have stealth fighters....the inevitable!

Pakistan's relationship is a one that is very close to China. It would seemed both are producing most military jets together. Pakistanis type of aircrafts is slowly moving towards types of China. There is no doubt J20 and J21, once ready will soon be in Pakistan's inventory.

Pakistan will feel the need to counter Indians T50 once they are brought into their airforce. Pakistani acquisition will definitely give USA a big headache, one, when competing with technology of China stealth, two, its marketability and three, her alignment to China as her ally. 

Affordability would not be an issue for Pakistan, not that they can afford it, rather they will regard it as national interest an still heavily throw their money away to own them, like they did in 1996 when they spent billions of money they did not have to aquire and test their nuclear weapons, while her people lack food, clothes, proper home and even education.This proves that prospect of war will make any governmenst do stupid things. USA for one who is always looking for war also spent beyond their means, especially under both bush's administration, bankrupting themselves more than the Russian did during the Cold War. Stupid is what stupid does!

F 35 looking good now

F 35 has always look stylishly futuristic.Weapons kept in internal bay will always makes it look even cooler.  It is sure one of the author favourite design. 

The Lightning carries with it the most advance system in the world. It's sensors, displays, arms, fly by wire and more edges the tip of every advance flight technology you heard of.

It greatest gift by its designers have given it is its stealth design. It also maybe it's curse. We shall see.

The other foreseeable flaw is it is of one engine. This will also reduce its thrust to weight ratio significantly. Thus it may limit the amount of extra pod, armament and refuelling tank that it may carry. More importantly it will surely effect the time it takes to distant itself from incoming missiles and also reduce it chances when dogfight scenarios arise. Of course there future plans to produce a more powerful engine. So far the plan have been shelved until further notice. 

All in all there is a clear path of the aircraft has been set. Of course along the way minor detours will have very little effect of derailing the programme, only slowing it down to the extent of spiralling up the cost. Mind you the venture is to big to let it fail. Anyhow, it is the last big recalcitrant project of the west before China overtakes them.

Rafale should be Malaysia's choice

It is only after Malaysias next general election that the decision and aquisition of type of MRCA shall be made. Super Hornets, Typhoon and Rafales are the final contenders after Gripen and SU 30 were denied to proceed to the next level on technical grounds, or so it is said.

It is said the Air Force favours Super Hornets for its friendly usage while the politicians prefers the Typhoon for the lobbying fee involved. So no one is for Rafale, so Dassault better buck up fast to win this race.

It is a wonder why the airforce is so keen on the Hornets, it is good and all but hello? No Source Codes.

In a democratic world, politician will do their best to make the most money to finance their election needs, be it through lobbying fees like the Americans or commission like many countries in Asia. Funny how Asian countries are accused of corrupt when they keep to the same schemes of the west.

Rafale seem to be the safe bet here, it's performance is more than sufficient, have complete omnirole capabilities, enough to win Indians vote of confidence, the biggest multirole acquisitions of the century yet. The Swiss too rate it the highest among Typhoon and Gripen. There is no issue of source code nor unreasonable sanctions when French are involved.

The forseeable threat if the west had their say in this, and more often they do, is China. Malaysia may need a squadron of fighters based in Labuan to stragetically defend her interest in South China Sea. Rafales have good sensors as well as weaponaries to defend the disputed interest. To add to that the French antiship missles Exocets are supersonic when Harpoon of the Hornets are not. Typhoon has not got any anti ship missiles yet in play.

Malaysia should acquire 12 to 18 new units of Rafales with AESA, while at the same time in hope that French will hand down the balance of 6 to 12 units of used Rafales with passive radar (which is just as good and create good variances) to make it 24 units altogether and base them in Labuan. Half of them may be stationed at Kuantan airbase if the need arise.

18 SU 30s in Gong Kedak may backed up the Labuans squadron. If Russian offer is still on then the retired Migs 29 can be exchanged for 6 more Sukhois. Malaysia would then have 24 Sukhoi 30s.

Malaysia may then acquire at least four used F18 D from maybe Kuwait (who is coincidently seriously looking at Rafales too) or other operators to make it a complete but basic squadron based in Butterworth base for air and sea policing purpose in the Straits of Malacca.

By this way Malaysia will operate not more than three types of multirole fighter of 60 units, fullfilling the wish list of required number of the airforce.

Hawks 108 and 208 can be sold off if it is found to be superfluous or even kept as reserve if the budget allows it to. 

All in all it depends of the country's sufficiency of allocation for it, which seem to be of no existence at the moment. However looking at the instability that might arise specially in the South China Sea, her government have no choice but to look for it or create it from somewhere, of which she can easily do given her brilliance in international deals and trades.

J 21 will be better than F 35

The battle for the air in the 80s belong to F 16 and Mig 29. Both had their advantages and disadvantages. F 16 may have better BVR capability but in close fights Mig 29 would have prevailed.  Even the one engine Falcon would surprisingly run dry of fuel from using its after burner in dogfights earlier than the fuel thirsty two engines Fulcrum.

However F16 have won big time in its marketability battle where it's  progress from a mere fighter role to of a multirole help to sustain its sales. The said Mig did not achieved the same success due its slow development in these areas. Conformal fuel tanks (that could free up underwings spaces to carry more missiles and increase range) that would have help the Mig to carry more roles was never planned nor designed thus ended the its future progress. Malaysia for one refused to upgrade her Migs because even if she did they would not be even close to par with the capability of 4th generation modern fighters of today. Further types of Mig 29 even the superflous M type failed sell well due to SU 27 and 30 capabilities that excessively overshadow it.

The same battle for medium range fifth generation fighter in these two coming decades might be of  F 35 and J 21. The former is of one engine and the second is of two engines, similar to the said Falcon and Fulcrum. Both will soon be designed to of the multiroles kind. Question is how far is their range , what is  the numbers of weapon they carry, and how good are sensors and weaponry system. That will determine the success of sales these two aircrafts. Russia, Korea and Japan too might come up with medium size fighters, most likely of two engines based. It's going to be very interesting to come see what the future holds.

China is an up and coming player in stealth design and have build two types in very short years, compare none of to Japan and Korea as well as even European. United States took more two decades to build two,  the F22 and F 35, add another extra decade or two if we take into account the F117. Could it be the case they can also design advance set of avionics in a short time of frame. Weapons too?

I believe the Chinese can do so all of the above at a faster and cheaper rate. The Chinese have proven they can do so in so many other areas of industries. They are not like America, Japan, Korea and even Europe that get bog down by unnecessary democratic and capitalist process as well as costs. Russia, because of her immature democracy may like China may too come up with a medium size stealth fighter if she had the money to do so.

Countries looking for a cheaper F 35 will surely buy into J 21, especially when Japans and Koreas stealth fail to make it to their first flight or they are too expensive enough for major acquirement by other states while Europe entrapped with their fourth generation fighter programme of Typhoon, Gripen, and Rafale have no fifth generation fighter to speak of. If BAE merger with the rest of EADS comes through a fifth generation fighter is highly likely to come from them, hopefully maybe later than sooner. However America whose Boeing may stand to lose their competitive edge may "influence" the Brits to back off from the deal. So much for the infamous western laud of freemarket.

The need for an alternative AEW

There is a need for an alternative AEW than what is available in the market. Reason being the many types that carry dome shape radar that are in existence are either of American/Israelis origin making it difficult for neutral countries to acquire them without restriction. The advantages of dome shaped radar is that it can track 360 degrees of angle no matter the direction of  the aircraft that carries it flies.

The problem with bars shaped radar e.erieye is that it the aircraft that flies it have to fly in a zig zag path to acquire 360 view. Now this is such a big hassle especially when escorting fighters accompanying it has to fly the same way thus wasting valuable time and fuel.

Countries that are in need of dome shape radar based AEW should combine together and come up with one of their own. The countries that have bought erieye can take the lead in this endeavour. The combined sales to these countries may create an economic scale of their own, a big enough market to produce them at an affordable price, and more importantly give them the freedom of flying in any direction without having the capability of 360 degrees of view interrupted.

Eurofighter v Rafale...pointless!!!

The fight between Rafale and Eurofighte was kicked off when the French walk out of the European consortium because the latter did not agree to the former concept. The French wanted a midsize multirole while the Europeans sticked to a heavy air superiority fighter.

The European consortium apart of selling to themselves manage to sell a considerable numbers of units to other countries. They all at some point or another found Typhoon was too expensive to operate and was a great waste especially because it had very limited capabilities. And their regret crept in without any way out at hand.

The French concept which in the begining found itself a tough sell proved itself right in everyway when they performed outstandindly in the Afghanistan and libya conflict and ultimately found its way through the heart of its first customer, India. The likelihood of other foreign sales might follow seemed to have brighten up while the European consortium's Typoon have faded to dim.

The European consortium have got it wrong bigtime by not following the French set standard and now is paing for it dearly.

Of course if the Europeans would have agreed to the French concept and Dassault was part of the consortium, then it is French and the rest of the rouge world would have lost out in the end because the condition of sales would still be determined by US.

In 1998 the British, heavily influence by US foreign policies, placed an arms blockade on India depriving her of spares for her Hawks. The French did nothing of that sort, supplied the Indians parts to fly their Mirages.

Again, we see that the Saudis Typhoons could not be equipped with Lightning pod because US opposed to its sales. The Saudis Aiforce ended up using Damocles for their Eurofoghters, which the French happily provided. I wonder who had to pay for the extra cost to make them compatibles to each other? US then back stabbed the British and her European allies by selling to this very frustrated Arab airforce more F 15 wipping out any chances of further Typhoon sales there.

If the French was in the consortium they would be eating themselves alive for allowing this to happen and luckily they are not.

The leaked Swiss report have devalued Eurofighters worth and made the Rafale's bullish.

The Rafale is a complete multirole platform able to perform air to air , air to surface, land and sea role. It's size too is suitable for land and carrier based strike.

It seemed like the French has got everything right. That is why India made her choice.
Only it's future is seemed as unpredictable. The Rafale needs bigger air intake for better thrust, helmet mounted sight and stealth capability to survive future markets.

It is unsure they have the funds to do so, but future sales might pay for it.

Typhoon progress is stalled by its partners that can not unitely decide what to do with next. To make it worse each country to do not exactly know what they want with the fighter. They should have allowed the consortium to be led by the British and turn the Eurofighter into a multirole. Each state will then buy the same multirole eurofighter according to their needs and affordibility.

Nevertheless the international politics took precedent over logical rationalization and doomed the eurofighter future.

Both Typhoon and Rafael are outdated in stealth design unless they find a solution to plasma stealth technology. This makes F22 and F35 ahead in their designs.

Stealth aside, on an overall basis a Rafale but not Typhoon is any day better than the two American types.

However there is much prospect left for improvement of these American fighters. Come a time even the Rafale will be left behind, especially with the coming of Russian T 50 and Chinese J 20.

French and European consortium needs to learn from past lesson and combine their resources to produce the next future stealth multirole fighter. They must elect a leader with a good concept and all the countries belonging to the consortium shall buy the same type of aircraft to create an abled economic scale to compete at an international level.

The super hornet ultimate killer!

The super hornet like its name is a superb mutirole aircraft. Its sensors and helmet mounted sight plus missiles make its a very lethal fighter. It's air to ground arrays of munitions makes it an excellent attack aircraft. Harpoons completes it as a sea or carrier strike aircraft.

To add to this, it's design is based on the proven concept of earlier and smaller F18. Any shortfall of earlier model are addressed and corrected through this larger version. This makes the super hornet cheap by any standard, western or even eastern.

Like it has not enough of compliments already, it has a electronics warfare version called Growler.

Any airforce in the world would love to have such an aircraft, one that does everything quite weLl, comes at a competitive price, easy as well cost effective to operate and maintain (since one can operate a single type aircraft that does all).

But why is it apart from US it has only manage to sell only 24 copies???

NO SOURCE CODE!!!

SU 30 v Rafale

It's hard to see SU30s and Rafales going to war with each other as both type of aircrafts are chosen and operated by countries unaligned to popular Democratic West. Countries who have acquired the two designs are ones that refuse to be dictate by America especially and it's allies generally; Britain and Australia. Of course countries who do allow themselves to be dictated are rewarded with lucrative industries that will enriched the ruling political party in power at that time. Britain and Australia are ones who benefitted the most through this sort of alignment to US. No doubt by doing so they provide jobs to their people, but the downside is of course they have to send their soldiers all across the world to die, all in the name of USAs interest. Excuses to go to war are sugar coated by words in the likes of democracy, freedom, human rights and so on.

Countries refused to be Pied Pipered by USA will look into acquiring SU30 and Rafale to defend their air. India is great example of a country acquiring both. And what a great buy that was.

Both fighters have great range, variation of weapons at their disposal, variation that are carrier based and in some countries they used the same Damocles pod.

They vary in size, price and certain capabilities ie. air to air Sukhoi may be slightly better than the rafale. SU 30 Is equipped with N011M BARS passive radar that can detect target at 400km an awesome range for BVR encounters and can act as a mini AWACS. The Sukhoi is also equipped with thrust vector nozzles giving it superb maneuverability and has also thrust vector missiles, a very big plus point for dogfighting. However in an unconfirm report of a training exercise between F22s and Rafales the sccored was 0-0 for BVR engagement. SU 30 is yet to go against a F22 in either BVR or dogfight.

Where air to ground is concern, Rafales may be at an advantage over Sukhois. Rafales has got fire and forget air to ground missile called Hammer where else weapons operator in a Sukhoi has to tiresomely tv guide it to its target. Rafales too can attack many target in one fly pass. It is very much doubtfully that SU 30 can do the same.

Where weapons and instruments are concerned Rafales are small enough to help in its mobility. The Sukhois are not as so.

Rafales systems are more complex but made simple as oppose to Sukhoi's that maybe simple but not as user friendly.

All in all India will have both fighters in the next year or so, and ultimately pit them against each other. Only then we will know which areas one shines the most over the other. Until then we will have to wait, that if India ever releases the result at all.