F-16 vs Mirage 2000

AINDF

Banned
Pakistan v India? God I hope not, nither sidse uses the planes in an air defence role, the use them in an A2G role mostly, India uses MiG-29's Pakistan the JF-17 for air defence roles.

This is not correct, I can't speak for India, but Pakistani F-16s are definitely used in A2A, and were used in several successful intercepts against the Soviets during the Afghan war.
 
So they have to grovel around 'culturally different' - not corrupt - loathesome types, like Saudi royals. And the other nations do it too - the US used to buy air forces for friendly 3rd world nations and not out of the goodness of their heart.
We're still in that business, more or less--the USAF still gives away all of its old F-16s that its done with as excess defense articles to whomever might need them, along with refurbishment and maintenance contracts that go to the usual defense contractors. America's allies get fighter jets on the cheap, America gets defense sector jobs and everybody's happy.
 

wormyguy

Banned
That's pretty funny, actually. Yet shockingly true - there is a F-16 operator on every continent of the world save Australia and Antarctica. There are 25 operators, one country which ordered but never received them (Iran), three countries which looked hard at the F-16 but went with something else (Japan, Brazil, South Africa), one which expressed interest but couldn't scrounge the cash (Kenya) and one which is considering it now (India).
The thing about the F-16 is that purchasing one does not just have military significance, it has diplomatic significance as well. Yeah, sure, better planes have been made since 1978. But any old tinpot dictatorship or Orwellian nightmare can get their hands on a MiG-29, or, to a lesser extent, a Dassault. Purchasing F-16s proves that your country is accepted in the western diplomatic community. America is your buddy, and is on your side. That's a powerful statement to make. Your country has arrived.
 

Paul MacQ

Donor
The comparisons are far from straight forwards as mentions in the thread depending on Block number/Model

F16 is probably the better of the Multi Role/ for cost aircraft out there, lots of spare parts available and packages that can be added ( Just look at the difference in early block F16C and Israel’s F16I )

Air to Air combat comparison would more come down to what infrastructure is backing them up, Such as Mission Control and AWAC’s

A major downside of the Mirage 2000 in any models is the afters sales support from Dassault has been deplorable and the costs of running there aircraft rather shocking. After the first 5 years unlike the earlier Mirages that had other nations making major components. The 2000 and to some extent the Rafael has you have to use for the most part Dassault/SNECMA original parts. Israel for example makes copies of almost every part of a Mirage III and as good a quality and much reduced cost to Dassault original parts. Competition is a great thing

There was a artical about The arguments between ROC and Dassault regard breachs of contracts a cople of years ago. Searching for it again . One thing hardly ever comented on Much about US Aircraft/Componant makers is actualy better after sales service
 
Is the USAF thinking about replacing the F16 with the F22 Raptor or another jet for the Thunderbirds?

Is there a French flying team that flys the Mirages?

Would the Thunderbirds be considered better due to pilots or aircraft to the French flying team. Or visa versa, is the French team better because the Mirage is better at ariel acrobatics.

I have also always wondered if the Thunderbirds would kick ass if they were made into a combat unit if the need ever arose?
 

Ak-84

Banned
This is not correct, I can't speak for India, but Pakistani F-16s are definitely used in A2A, and were used in several successful intercepts against the Soviets during the Afghan war.
True, however by the time Indian Mirages had arrived Pakistan had changed the role of the F-16's to A2G. They used the F-7P, which has BVR and later the ROES Mirage (alslo BVR) for A2A roles. Pakistani F-16's were not equipped with BVR.
 
When Vati Moelders mey Sailor Malan in Me-109 vs Spitfire, they both went home. There is a randomness in combat scenarios which depend on the brain and senses of the pilots in question at that moment which will, more than anything else, more than likely determine the result of an encounter. The two aircraft, as weapons, have dissimilar advantages and shortcomings which cannot be foreseen without context.
 
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