Yes you are correct, borrowed technology helps a country to leapfrog the technology the do not have. But in the long run, you just can not depend on the borrowed technology, specially if you are looking to register as a super power. I'm not saying that Indian armed forces are weak, they sure look strong, but not strong enough to be in top 5. For example take a look at Indian air force. None of the leading combat fighters are indigenous. The top fighter jet is Su30 MKI an Indian variation of Su30 (Russian), followed by MiG 29(Russian), Mirage 2000 (French), Aging MiG 27 Ground Attack aircraft(Russian), Aging Jaguar (French), and ancient MiG 21 (Russian). India has no latest generation aircraft, everything is years old technology. I heard that India and Russia are developing a stealth Air Craft in a JV, but it will take years.. The only impressive achievement Indian defense has so far is Missiles technology, complete with world's first and only hyper sonic cruise missile Brahmos. But still India has a long way to go before it will become one in Top 5 super power.
Pakistan has also one of the best airforce. It won many medals in combined military practices with USA.
Medals does not really show how big an air force is, especially if it is given by USA . It is during real battle that your real mettle is shown. Take for eg the 6 day war in which Israeli's air force distinguished themselves as one of the best, if not the best in the world.
This can't be discussed, it has to be shown. Why not write a mail to the goverment of those two countries you want to see in a war?
In 2-3 years India will be in top 5 for air force. US are the stongest no doubt. But even they cannot take 3 developed militarry at a time. Say Rus, CHn, Ind. No one is invinvible and fact is that others are catching up with uS. BTW whats the top aircraft of US??
Where did you get the time line from buddy..I think you need to add the zeros mean 20-30 years, India is no near top 20 right now, How many Fighter aircraft's made by Indians..But i know they are using Russian old stuff that's worth nothing.. BTW whats the top aircraft of US?? be more specific.
Top 5 based on? How do you define what is a top air force. The qualities that determine a top air force? I can only say based on hindsight that Israeli Air Force appears to be the top. With regards to taking on 3 at a time. Russia, China and India each have their own agendas, they will not combine in anyway to fight a war with USA. They themselves have plenty of scores to settle with each other.
Come on man. I am an Indian and really don't want to say anything bad but pakistan still depends on f-16s old versions. The best you have is something called JX-17. It can't be one of the best. And by quantity also you don't have too much.
Ok you say that India is not even in top 20. Then say who are in top 20. LEts see your calculation. What do you mnean by Indian aircraftsare worth nothing. Mirage 2000-5 and Su-30 MKI can defeat F-16s and match F-18 Hornet. Yeah they are not as good as F-22,35. Thats true. But how mant countries have loads of F-22, F-35, B-2, Stealt aircrafts. Only US has F-22. If you are talking about Typhoon, Gripen then let me tell you our air force can handle them to a large extent. We are buying them also. There is a tender going on. And we do have an indigenous advanced aircraft named HAL Tejas but thats in testing stage. So its okay to say US, Russia, China are better. But if you say we are not among top 20 then it only shows your IGNORANCE.We are at least in 7-8 th spot I would say in a rough calculation. N.B. - Israel is very good but lacks numbers I guess. Anybody knows the no of fighters Israel has.
I'd say strongest airforce is Israel, Leaving in israel i can say that with every thing thats going on, and having 8 big wars since 1948 The Israel's army has the most combat exprianced fighters, poot technolgy and buget a side.
Russia all except the Navy. New Russia plane Sukhoi PAK FA which will be available somewhere between 2009 and 2012 will be much better then F22 and F35. Also it looks like India will get few. So list is: Russia USA China India Some European country...
India's version of PAK FA is called FPGA. General characteristics * Crew: 1 (pilot)/2(crew)for Indian variant * Length: 22.0 m (72 ft 2 in) * Wingspan: 14.2 m (46 ft 7 in) * Height: 6.05 m (19 ft 10 in) * Wing area: 78.8 m² (848 ft²) * Empty weight: 18,500 kg (40,786 lb) * Loaded weight: 26,000 kg (57,320 lb) * Useful load: 7,500 kg (16,535 lb) * Max takeoff weight: 37,000 kg (81,571 lb) * Powerplant: 2× Saturn-Lyulka AL-41F turbofan o Dry thrust: 96.1 kN (9,800 kgf, 21,605 lbf) each o Thrust with afterburner: 152 kN (15,500 kgf, 34,172 lbf) each Performance * Maximum speed: Mach 2+ at altitude (2450+ km/h, 1,500 mph) * g-limits: 9 g) * Cruise speed: 1,300 km/h (807.8 mph) * Ferry range: 4,000 to 5,500 km (2,485 to 3,418 mi) * Service ceiling 20,000 m (65,617 ft) * Rate of climb: 350 m/s (68,898 ft/min) * Wing loading: 470 kg/m² (96.3 lb/ft²) * Thrust/weight: 0.84 (dry thrust) * Minimum thrust/weight: o With afterburner: 1.19 * Runway length requirement: 350 m (1,148 ft) * Endurance: 3.3 hrs (198 mins) Armament * Guns: 2× 30 mm internal cannon * Hardpoints: 8 total, 4 on each side of the aircraft. Avionics * Radar: N050(?)BRLS AESA/PESA Radar (Enhancement of IRBIS-E) on SU-35 o Frequency: 3 mm (0.118 in) o Diameter: 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in) o Targets: 32 tracked, 8 engaged o Range: 400 km (248 mi) + EPR: 3 m² (32.3 ft²) at 160 km (99.4 mi) + RCS: 0.01 m² at 90 km (55 mi) + Azimuth: +/-70°, +90/-50° o Power: 4,000 W o Weight: 65 to 80 kg (143 to 176 lb)
F-22 Raptor Performance Maximum speed: At altitude: Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph, 2,410 km/h)[89] Supercruise: Mach 1.82 (1,220 mph, 1,963 km/h)[89] Range: 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi, 2,960 km) with 2 external fuel tanks Combat radius: 410 nmi[86] (471 mi, 759 km) Ferry range: 2,000 mi (1,738 nmi, 3,219 km) Service ceiling 65,000 ft (19,812 m) Wing loading: 66 lb/ft² (322 kg/m²) Thrust/weight: 1.08 (1.26 with 50% fuel) Maximum g-load: -3.0/+9.0 g[89] Avionics RWR (Radar warning receiver): 250 nmi (463 km) or more[43] Radar: 125-150 miles (200-240 km) against 1 m² targets (estimated range)[41 PAK FA has more speed, cruise, ferry range, service cieling, radar range. F-35 is weaker than F-22.