I disagree.

You don't need Degrees to be an Expert Mechanic.You need Experience.

The Reason for the Crashes are No Transition Fighter Jet from Sub to Supersonic mode fr Training.Lack of Spares & Mx Remember Single Engine IFSD is a Writeoff.

regds

MEL

Dip in AME qualifies an Individual to work as Aircraft Technician.

One needs to clear DGCA BAMAC Papers to get graded to Tr AME.

And Clear Approved Training/Paper 4 to Qualify for Asst AME

and Clear DGCA Interview board to Qualify for AME.

regds

MEL

Here is a new fighter will India put any interests in this one?

U.S. F-35 fighter dubbed "Lightning II"

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter being developed by the United States and eight other countries is to be named the "Lightning II," in homage to two earlier renowned fighters.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/060708/137/65pp7.html

IAF pilots to evaluate Boeing's F-18 warplanes

FARNBOROUGH (UK): Indian Air Force pilots are expected to test fly Boeing's F-18 fighter aircraft to evaluate the American war machine as the company is one of the main bidders in the race to sell 126 frontline jet planes to India.

Two test pilots from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Air Marshals A K Nagalia and Bhushan Gokhale, are here at the Farnborough Air Show to evaluate the planes, an HAL official said on Monday.

India plans to buy 126 fighter planes to replace its ageing Russian-made MiG-21 warplanes and top aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Lockheed, which produces the F-16 warplanes, are in the fray to bag the major deal.

A Boeing spokesman said several meetings with Indian Air Force representatives have taken place and it is awaiting a response from the Indian side with regard to the F-18, a twin-engine multirole combat jet, which, the company claims, is one of most advanced warplanes in the world.

He said Boeing is also exploring the possibility of manufacturing aircraft components and assembling the jets in India.

Times of India

rgds

VT-ASJ

IAF seeks more jets to fly higher than Pakistan

Press Trust of India

New Delhi, September 29, 2006

Concerned by Pakistan's plans to induct more F-16 jets and the rapid depletion of the country's fighter fleet, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi has written to the government asking for more multi-role aircraft so that his force can maintain its superiority.

Tyagi, according to highly placed sources, has written a letter to Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, drawing attention to the fact that the number of IAF fighting squadrons is set to hit an all-time low.

More jets are needed for at least 36 squadrons to maintain the IAF's battle preparedness, sources said.

Tyagi, according to sources, recommended to the government the immediate purchase of at least 40 multi-role fighters. He also called for a speedy decision on the proposal to buy 126 combat jets.

Five aircraft, including the F-16 and F-18 of the US and Russia's MiG-29, are in the race for the 126-jet deal.

However, sources said the government has shot down most of Tyagi's proposals and indicated that the Defence Ministry wants to work on the early induction of the 126 fighters.

According to IAF sources, the number of combat squadrons has fallen to an all-time low due to crashes and phasing out of ageing aircraft like certain variants of the MiG-21.

IAF top brass is also concerned at Pakistan's plans to buy up to 44 F-16s from the US.

The IAF had earlier suggested a certain number of Mirage-2000-5 jets should be purchased as an interim measure to keep the force's strength at an optimum level.

However, Dassult, which makes the Mirage, has closed its assembly lines for the jet.

Hindustan Times

real catch-22 situation, in only F-22 could fill the gap

rgds

VT-ASJ

HAWK21M wrote:

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Is the F22 available for sale to the IAF.

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don't quite recall where I read it, but the article was about Boeing being approached by state dept asking them to explore the possibility of selling planes to India.  And they were intriuged by the fact that they were being allowed to sell planes which are not even offered to allies.  So, can't be anything but F-22.

rgds

VT-ASJ

But considering IAF's budget i think F-22's may be ruled out as each piece costs about 250mn$

HAWK21M wrote:

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the_380 wrote:

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But considering IAF's budget i think F-22's may be ruled out as each piece costs about 250mn$

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I don't think the GOI would think about price if the F22 was offered.Its the Quality of the F22 that matters.But it would be a sometime before the US can part with the Know how.

regds

MEL

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But its like IAF can't afford to buy some B-2s or F-117s they'll have to sell the rest Sukhois and MiGs in the fleet

JumboJet wrote:

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I am not sure how this works, but do they sell the existing fleet, before upgrading or what, how does it go about.

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Who wud want to buy such an old fleet?