IAF losing edge over PAF

India Today, India ^ | April 20, 2011 | Shiv Aroor & Durga Nandini

[sukhoi-30mki]

According to open-source information, India and Pakistani pilots train for roughly the same amount of time (roughly 200-250 hours/annually). And unless one wants to believe in some sort of civilisational superiority for either, there’s little to choose between either in terms of ability if you ask me.

[sukhoi-30mki]

There is no point in the SU-30 being 10 times better than a Mig, if half the SU-30 fleet is meant to be deployed to the Chicom border. In short, the PAF can focus wholly on India, while the IAF has to watch out on two fronts against very formidable rivals.

[Little Ray]

Yep. If they have the same number of hours of training, then the pilots will be about equal.

Might make for a heck of a show...

[Little Ray]

And, from what I can tell, pilots are their own civilization and superior to just about everybody - ask ‘em!

[Justa]

“If one side has significantly more training hours....”

Exactly. Even if PAK surpassed India’s numbers (which they don’t) their training and C&C is still 1950s. In a war with India they’ll be (once again) “huh, wuht?”

[ravager]

I guess half of IAF fleet was deployed on two fronts even when IAF was operating Migs. But yes India needs to quickly increase the number of squadrons and overall hike the defense budget given that US is actively supporting Pakistan build defense parity against India. Most people here on FR dont like to hear it but, good thing India still has Russia on her side.

[ravager]

Not true. PAF has been regularly training with US, UK, France and Turkey. And thanks to American funding they are pretty much on par with IAF in terms of flying hours, combat skills, numerical strength and technology.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks sukhoi-30mki.