F-16 C/D v/s MIRAGE 2000-5 v/s GRIPEN v/s MIG-29

[Globetrotter]

and about the price, F-16 are expensive... same as Su-35s almost so...

[osuorsa]

Yes, those F-16 Block 50/52 which were sold to Poland  etc,  were actually more expensive than the Su's. And the prices are of course varying depending on the customer...BUT, the Gripen is actually cheaper than the newest F-16s. If comparing the F-16C/D, Mirage 2000-5, MiG-29SMT/M and the Gripen, the Mirage is the most expensive one...

[osuorsa]

If thinking about these planes NOW, not in the past nor in the future. I prefer the F-16C/D/E/F 50/52/60/62 Viper to be the best multirole workhorse of the time (IN LIGHT WEIGHT FIGHTERS!). Think about the -E/F model! It has almost the best systems in service with the US after the Raptor and in some respects after the Rhino. Its massive list of munitions available, one of the most efficient and best integrated cockpit and systems, geatly improved pilot situational awarnes, with the new Russian style fixed IRST on the nose, enhanced EW suite in the same configuration found on the Block 50/52 models, CFTs etc. make it the best light fighter choice.

BUT, the others are also very good. Have to remember that we don't want to take MiG-29A or C in the same category with the F-16 Block 50/52 or with the Gripen. No. We have to think about Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2, F-16 Block 50/52/60/62, JAS-39C/D (enhanced), MiG-29M/K/-35. Then we are talking about planes that can even some how be compared...

[Webmaster]

Of course, latest versions on the market are being compared here.

About the Block 60, wonderful, but don't forget that it's quite a bit more expensive than the Block 50/52. Also adding all this stuff to it, makes it more capable overall, but less capable in the original and most important role, air defense. So you actually need that IRST and 9X, because you can't out-maneuver an enemy, so bet on it you need to engage off-boresight.

[osuorsa]

That's true Webmaster but when comparing planes, the price isn't th first one to look at. Of course the B60 is more expensive than the B50, because of its more advanced systems and new 'toys'. Why you say that the B60 is not as well suited in A/A combat than the B50?

Actually it has a bit better radar (because of it is AESA), so it can out range the older radars in range and tracking capability. This also make it possible to use AMRAAMs of its best, same like in the case of the Rhino's APG-79. You are right that the B60, because of the bigger weight, ain't so agile, but the different ain't so big...No matter what is the plane B50 or B60, you'll need the HMS to make it efficient in modern aerial combat...Its not only for the B60....also for the B50. It is more likely the modern trend to use HMS to achieve the help of upper hand...So in the terms of radar and EWS systems the B60 Desert Falcon is slightly superior to the B50.

[Raptor]

Actually, super-long ranged radar would be mostly for aggressive purposes, when you don't want the enemy to know what hit them.