F-16 has larger and stronger airframe - this coupled with a powerful engine and superior T/W ratio makes it a formidable fighter in conditions and altitudes that would absolutely stress a lightweight jet fighter.
F-16 can also be equipped with well-designed CFTs to expand its range by a significant margin. This allows PAF to use this jet fighter to conduct precision strikes deep inside India. PAF was able to obtain these CFTs from US.
Standoff munitions are helpful but in limited quantity. Jet fighters are suitable for providing CAS to troops on the ground and more. PAF has hundreds of Laser-guided Bombs (LGBs) and Bunker Busters that can be deployed through F-16.
PAF also obtained JHMCS for its F-16 pilots. JHMCS provides HOBS capability with compatible munition.
F-16 avionics are not a dud either. AN/APG-68(V)9 radar system is most advanced outside AESA options. The jet fighter is equipped with AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS and NATO standard networking capabilities. It is not easy for the Indian Air Force to jam these jet fighters.
J-10CE procurement makes sense for the reasons you mentioned. It is a decent jet fighter in its own right and brings those capabilities to the table that US has not provided yet. It is also bigger and more capable than JF-17 on the whole. Good force-multiplier for PAF.
I would say that each of the following:
1. F-16 variants
2. J-10CE
3. JF-17 variants
- are important in their own right. I see merits of each in view of Pakistani security dynamics.
See my perspective above.
You wouldn't want to debate F-16E/F Block 60 vs. J-10CE, dear.
F-16E/F Block 60 is a 4++ generation variant that was custom-built for UAE. It is a big leap from F-16C/D Block 52+ in the inventory of PAF.
But WE are good with J-10CE for now. I am not complaining. Chill pill.
I agree to what you have said.
I never undermined any platform in my original post. I only described the strongest point of each platform. Secondly when comparing aircrafts, the most important thing atleast for me is to foresee present & future scenario in terms of weapons compatibility, spares, maintenance, logistics & operations. For instance, F-16 with Egypt has lower potential as even AMRAAMs are not available to them, whereas F-16s of Turkey are beast as almost every type of weaponary from AMRAAMs to anti-shipping role is available to those. The same platform but vastly different potential.
So, the aircrafts which do not pose any software upgrades restrictions or any particular strike mission denial due to weapon restrictions or political reasons are the platforms that you want to bet on.
F-16s are beasts. But 10 years down the lane, the kind of weapons we'll be getting / building for JF-17s / J-10Cs will make these birds more and more relevant. I cannot expect that we'll be receiving any strike or even any other weapon package anymore for F-16s. The normal sustenance / maintenance packages may continue as it was approved this year earlier.
