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What would be your 3rd world non-russian Strike Fighter?


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Posted (edited)

Suppose you were in a third-world conflict, eg somewhere in central africa, and you needed a classic strike fighter? I mean strike / ground attack, not specialized CAS or COIN. So essentially some bombing, rocket and gun strafing work, low-to-medium in visual conditions.

 

Although the Russian gear is quite obvious, as you would unsurprisingly match your Hind and Hip with Su-25 or Mig-27. But what about 3rd generation Western fighters?

 

I see following contenders:

 

- Mirage III and derivatives (Cheetah, ...)

- Mirage 5/50 and derivatives (Dagger, Pantera, Mara, Elkan, Finger, ...)

- IAI KFir

- Mirage F1

 

- F-5

- Skyhawk

- A-7 Corsair II

 

- first generation Harrier

- Jaguar

 

I guess my pick would be the Kfir, which has a substantial track record, good speed and decent payload. Jaguar might come second.

 

But maybe I forgot about some valid alternatives?

 

kfir2.jpg

Edited by tflash
added image

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Posted

Yugoslavia/Romania made J-22 Orao

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Posted (edited)

If i have to chose between 3rd gen. strike aircraft i`m definitely picking Mitsubishi F-1. It is fast, has a great variety of payload - bombs (including guided ones), rockets, long range anti-ship missiles, etc. :weight_lift_2:

 

Edit: Not that anyone in the "third world" has F-1s but nonetheless that`s what i would have used if i had a choice.

Edited by topol-m

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Posted
Edit: Not that anyone in the "third world" has F-1s but nonetheless that`s what i would have used if i had a choice.

 

Well I agree that not many third world country's has F-1s but during the 80's South Africa(though I wouldnt exactly call us 3rd world) did and they worked very well in taking out coloumns of T-55s etc. I would also recommend the Aermacci MB-326 or as we called it the Impala. It was a steady gun platform and had a large payload. Only one was ever shot down after hundreds of CAS missions

To INVENT an Airplane is Nothing.

To BUILD One is Something.

But to FLYis EVERYTHING.

- Otto Lilienthal

 

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Posted
Well I agree that not many third world country's has F-1s but during the 80's South Africa(though I wouldnt exactly call us 3rd world) did and they worked very well in taking out coloumns of T-55s etc. I would also recommend the Aermacci MB-326 or as we called it the Impala. It was a steady gun platform and had a large payload. Only one was ever shot down after hundreds of CAS missions

 

Don`t confuse Mirage F-1 with Mitsubishi F-1 ;)

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Posted

ahh my bad

To INVENT an Airplane is Nothing.

To BUILD One is Something.

But to FLYis EVERYTHING.

- Otto Lilienthal

 

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Posted

Mirage F1 certainly is a plane with a serious "African" pedigree! Very precise, very stable and fast at low level.

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Posted

The Jaguar GR3A had it all: "The upgraded Jaguar GR3A (also known as Jaguar 97) introduced fleet-wide TIALD LDP compatibility, provision for the EO GP1 (JRP) digital reconnaissance pod, a helmet mounted sight, a glass cockpit with a large AMLCD display and a new HUD, a new hand controller and stick top, GPS, TERPROM Terrain Referenced Navigation, an Improved Data Modem datalink, and improved Night vision goggles compatibility." (from Wikipedia)

 

It is just beyond belief that UK ditched this aircraft. India is sticking to it, for many good reasons!

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Posted
The Jaguar GR3A had it all: "The upgraded Jaguar GR3A (also known as Jaguar 97) introduced fleet-wide TIALD LDP compatibility, provision for the EO GP1 (JRP) digital reconnaissance pod, a helmet mounted sight, a glass cockpit with a large AMLCD display and a new HUD, a new hand controller and stick top, GPS, TERPROM Terrain Referenced Navigation, an Improved Data Modem datalink, and improved Night vision goggles compatibility." (from Wikipedia)

 

It is just beyond belief that UK ditched this aircraft. India is sticking to it, for many good reasons!

 

Until you have a hydraulics failure and can't lower the flaps...

Creedence Clearwater Revival:worthy:

Posted

not that long surely..

 

The reason is the defence budget got cut, the Tiffy and F35 is replacing it along with the Tornado and Harrier.

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.

"Me, the 13th Duke of Wybourne, here on the ED forums at 3 'o' clock in the morning, with my reputation. Are they mad.."

https://ko-fi.com/joey45

 

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