In a sense, Pakistan's upgrade of the HQ-9B system is one of the reasons why India is accelerating the pace of procurement of F-35AI.

Why?

Theoretically, only fifth-generation multirole fighters such as the F-35AI are capable of breaking through the air defense interception of the HQ-9B.

In fact, before purchasing the F-35AI, the Indian Air Force had considered the EA-18G, and at that time it also sent a delegation to the United States for inspection.

If only against Pakistan's air defense systems, the EA-18G is clearly a more desirable option.

It's just that, after looking at it, the Indian Air Force abandoned the idea.

First of all, the EA-18G is too expensive.

Boeing's offer is $150 million, and it does not include supporting electronic warfare equipment, which is the all-important electronic warfare pod.

The reason is actually very simple.

This electronic warfare pod is not produced by Boeing, so the Indian Air Force has to negotiate with the manufacturer, which has nothing to do with Boeing.

The problem is that electronic warfare pods are not cheap at all!

Theoretically, the EA-18G should be equipped with at least 3 electronic warfare pods, and the total purchase price of 3 different models of electronic warfare pods is up to $70 million.

Including the supporting anti-radiation missiles, an EA-18G will cost about $250 million.

Obviously, this price is simply unaffordable for the Indian Air Force.

Even if only 40 aircraft are purchased, that is, 20 aircraft are deployed in each of the two strategic directions, it will cost 10 billion dollars!

The problem is that 40 is not enough.

Spending tens of billions of dollars on a single-purpose fighter?

Obviously, the Indian Air Force has not yet had the luxury to such an extent.

Second, the U.S. authorities may not approve the contract.

Why?

So far, the United States has not sold the EA-18G!

According to the usual tactics of the US authorities, even the most important allies do not need the EA-18G, all they need is a supporting electronic warfare pod.

In fact, the United States is only selling supporting electronic warfare pods.

For example, Israel has procured a batch of electronic warfare pods to arm the F-16I and let the fighter jets carry out anti-aircraft suppression missions.

It is already more than enough to deal with the air defense system of an average country.

From another point of view, even if the United States is willing to sell the EA-18G, it will definitely be a reduced version, and it will definitely not sell the most core equipment to India.

It's not a matter of leaks, with the Indian Air Force's ability to drop planes, maybe a few planes will be dropped at any time.

Besides, if the Indian Air Force uses the EA-18G in the war against Pakistan or even against China, it will certainly not be able to keep it secret.

You know, the EA-18G is one of the few trump cards in the hands of the United States.

Although Huaxia already has a J-16ADG, which surpasses the EA-18G in terms of range and bomb load, and Huaxia has also developed a supporting electronic warfare pod, the United States has always had doubts about the combat capability of the J-16ADG, believing that this fighter is not as good as the EA-18G.

Last, and most importantly.

The EA-18G's purpose is too simple.

Although theoretically, EA-18G also has strong air combat and strike capabilities, in the US military exercises, even defeated the F-22A, hanging bombs can also perform ground strike missions, but the same task, can be handed over to other fighters to perform, so at any time, EA-18G's main task is to suppress the air defense system, and generally will not be sent to perform other combat missions.

With such a single purpose, the number of purchases and equipment will naturally not be much.

You must know that even the US Navy, which has deep pockets, has purchased dozens of EA-18Gs, and each carrier-based aviation wing has been allocated a few.

The low purchase quantity has become the main reason for the high price of the EA-18G.

How much can India buy?

Also, does the Indian Air Force really need such a single-task, and expensive fighter?

After weighing up, the Indian Air Force finally chose the electronic warfare pod, that is, modeled after Israel's practice, to build the F-16E/F into an anti-aircraft suppression fighter.

In fact, the F-16E / F with the electronic warfare pod attached is not bad.

At least, it is more than enough when dealing with the air forces of weak countries.

The problem is that when dealing with the air forces of powerful countries, this kind of halfway air defense suppression fighter is far from enough.

The Indian Air Force itself knows that the F-16E/F, which performs the task of air defense suppression, has almost no survivability when it comes to air defense systems of the S400 level.

Quite simply, the suppression ability is too weak.

Theoretically, the EA-18G needs at least three electronic warfare pods of different models to effectively suppress the S400 air defense radar, so that the fighter with the attack mission can safely enter the attack range and then launch missiles, which cannot be done without an electronic warfare pod.

Herein lies the problem.

The F-16E/F can only be hung on two electronic warfare pods.

Send one more?

Then there is the problem of fine strips, and coordination happens to be the shortcoming of the Indian Air Force.

In addition, the EA-18G has a lot of on-board electronic warfare equipment, and it is precisely by relying on these equipment that it has extremely powerful electronic warfare capabilities.

Does the F-16E/F have it?

It can be seen that this is also one of the reasons why Huaxia insists on developing the J-16ADG, that is, the professional anti-aircraft suppression fighter itself is a powerful electronic warfare platform.

In addition, when promoting the anti-aircraft suppression version of the JF-20, Huaxia has also been emphasizing its professionalism.

To put it simply, the electronic warfare pod is only a supplement to the air defense suppression fighter, that is, it is used to enhance the combat capability of the air defense suppression fighter, and not to give it combat capability.

If it is used on ordinary fighters, the electronic warfare pod is more used for self-defense.

Let the F-16E/F use the "Hamm" with a range of only 80 kilometers to deal with an air defense system with a range of 400 kilometers?

It's impossible to look at it.

Well, what about strike missions with stealth fighters?

Obviously, this is the approach that the Indian Air Force has come up with, and it is also the key to the urgent procurement of the F-35AI, and does not emphasize the combat use of the F-35AI in the air.

According to the tactics of the Indian Air Force, when performing the air defense suppression mission, at least 2 F-16E/F will jam and suppress at a distance, cover the F-35AI for low-altitude penetration, and then the F-35AI will complete the strike mission, that is, destroy the enemy's air defense system with bombs such as JDAM.

It works in theory.

Of course, there is a premise.

That is, the F-35AI on strike duty must remain hidden throughout the entire process and cannot be detected until the bomb is dropped.

As long as it is discovered, it is more than lucky.

Why?

The range of the JDAM is only about 20 kilometers, and it will not increase much if it is equipped with gliding wings, so the F-35AI will inevitably enter the strike range of the air defense system.

If it is against a single air defense system, there is nothing wrong with it.

In any case, the detection range of air defense radars for ultra-low-altitude targets is extremely limited, and even shorter for stealth fighters flying at ultra-low altitudes.

However, in the face of an enemy with a well-developed air defense system, this trick will not work.

You know, it's not that the radar can't detect the F-35AI, it's just that the distance is not far enough.

It is precisely this concern that the Indian Air Force has not allowed the F-35AI to carry out bombing missions deep into Pakistani airspace, let alone sent to bomb Pakistan's air defense systems.