[gandalftb]

Reports are that the F-16 and the MiG-29OVT AKA MiG-35 are the front runners in the "Lightweight Fighters" category. The Indians are already upgrading their existing MiG-29s with the MiG-35's Elettronica solid-state ECM system (RWR and jammer).

Its compatibility with the existing and future MiG-29K's that are picked for India's carriers, thrust-vectoring engines, and its ability to carry advanced Russian missiles already in service are major advantages.

The F-16, presumably a Block 70, with its proven AN/APG-80 AESA radar and integrated Infa Red Search & Track, on a less expensive platform makes it a close pick.

My opinion, the MiG-35 unless we play a lot of politics.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Umm-nope, the 35 is there only to make up the numbers and the F-16 has a lot of issues going against it-Pakistan using the same type, impending onset of the JSF. A person who works with one of the competitors told me that Boeing and Eurofighter are the main competitors-more so since the engines used by the two are being considered for the Indian LCA upgrade.