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So what's the actual point of modern light combat aircraft like the FA-50 or the Gripen? I mean, they're both similarly priced to heavier aircraft that are often faster and can carry more to boot (F-16 spring to mind). They look good and all but I don't see why you'd want to buy an inferior plane unless it's used in a remarkably different way.
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>>34460690
To sell to nations incapable of supporting heavier aircraft
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>>34460712
What so they need longer runways or something?
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>>34460721
It would cost them more fuel, maintenance on engines, airframes and components.
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>>34460690
US sells good but sells expensive too, and thats not something everybody can afford, thats why to this day its still possible to see MIG-21 and MIG-23 around.
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The FA-50 and Gripen C are significantly cheaper to buy and run than an F-16C. Simply put, the countries that operate these aircraft want some sort of air interception and ground attack capability, but can't justify the cost of a more expensive system.
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>>34460690
Not everyone throws money at their Chairforce.
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>>34460690
>less expensive to buy
>less expenive to use
>less expensive to maintain
>still reasonably good at getting ordnance into the air
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>>34461074
dis
Also it's possible to perform pin-point accuracy ground strikes with very cheap airplatforms becoming more available. If you're not getting air domincance, then what's the point in investing more than the bare minimum?
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Well, it's already been answered, but they are cheaper to maintain, and require a miniscule supply chain. The Gripen E for instance can be reloaded with a crew of five in something like 15 minutes.
And they are highly maneuverable and can carry a decent payload while dogfighting, so they can fend off most threats that are from less developed nations.
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>>34460690
For south korea, they need a fighter to replace both the F-4s and F-5s (which they had by the hundreds) as second line fighters to complement the F-16s, F-15s and F-35s
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The best plane for the job is the plane you can afford to operate, not the hanger queen you only bring out for parades.
iranianf14.png
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>>34460690
Also, from Eurofag perspective, there is difference whether you buy 30 Gripens or 15 Eurofighters
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>>34461780
Especially if the question is 30 Gripens that you can afford to operate and get decent flight hours for your pilots with, or 10 F-35s that you can't
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