Different aircraft for large versus small countries?

[riggerrob]

A recurring problem for air forces is deciding which aircraft to buy and how many of each.
While large air forces can afford multiple different aircraft to cover a wide range of missions. A USAF strike package might include dedicated bombers protected by dedicated long-range fighters and dedicated EMC all re-fueled by orbiting tankers. A handful of combat search and rescue helicopters hover just past the horizon. Orbiting drones up-load real-time TV images of the target. Top cover is provided by AWACS and satellites. Some of those planes took-off from concrete runways while others launched from ships. The USAF and USN try to kill bad guys thousands of miles from American shores.

Meanwhile, smaller air forces struggle to even a dozen older combat airplanes with obsolete avionics. Mind you, smaller air forces tend to focus on transports and helicopters to quell local up-risings. They only interceptors faster than sub-sonic drug smugglers. Hopefully the air force is powerful enough to scare neighboring armies to stay on the correct side of the border. They struggle to afford a handful of amateur-quality drones with little more than cameras.

Since the vast majority of R&D money is spent in first-world countries, what types of manned fighter/bomber airplanes can they produce to equip their small allies? Let's limit the first round of discussion to light fighters that are useful to both large and small countries.

 

[helmutkohl]

it depends

for small air forces/countries.. if they are facing a significant threat from another country, especially one that is a major power.
its more important that rather than specific aircraft types, they buy into some kind of relationship with another major power that could defend them, either militarily, or in international relations.
That means buying a US type, or Russian type, etc

other wise, I believe its more practical for small air forces to buy used light fighters like the F-16 or especially, lead in fighter trainers that can do both basic interception and patrols as well as training. Something like the Golden Eagle or M-346FA would be appropriate for most air forces, especially countries that dont have great geographies to cover.
The operating costs of a Golden Eagle or M-346 should be a lot lower than a traditional fighter, acquisition costs also lower, making it easier on the pocket books of small governments.

Then you have cases of small air forces but big spaces. Like Mongolia which is huge, but has a very small air force.
what would you do there? those light fighters dont have enough range to cover the country.

 

[zen]

Small aircraft...
Like F5?
Jaguar?
Orao?
MiG21?
Gnat?
Mirage III?
Mirage F1?
Etendard and Super Etendard?
Grippen?
Lavi?
Mirage 2000?