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There's a middle path too. We can properly align military and political needs to the economy, and in turn, build the economy to support the former two. So, while an aggressive focus on HDI is an option, we have to keep in mind we also made very little or zero investment in developing critical...

Indeed. If they can't guarantee the Meteor, another option is to pull for gains elsewhere. So, for ex. ask for T1s at low cost as part of a contract for T3s (if they're still interested in the Typhoon).

So, is the PAF at the stage of just taking what's on offer from wherever, or stick to its guns, even if it'll mean waiting for Project Azm?

Let's keep expectations low. But the PAF needs this fighter, especially as the likelihood of a jet in the interim is unlikely now. Going less than 5 could also mean getting the jet sooner than later

Well the interesting thing is that the KF-X Block 2 will have internal bays. So, you could design for it, but to save time and cost in the near term, you can skip it. If the PAF can't get additional new F-16s or some other jet, then what other option is there to expedite Azm as a bayless fighter...

Speculation: I think the PAF FGFA design will be similar in concept to the KF-X. You'll notice that the launch version of the KF-X also lacks an internal bay @messiach @Oscar. The PAF seems to be more focused on getting a specific range and payload level up in the air (with a complex line of...

Since Pakistan's Maritime Technologies Complex (MTC) bought the design rights, I think we'll see more of these ships in the long-run.

For anti-ship warfare, I'd equip the supersonic ASCM (i.e. on MILGEM, 054A/P, F-22P and the Damen corvettes). Leave land attack to the FACs.

Yes. @aziqbal https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/together-for-peace-aman-19-multinational-naval-exercise-pakistan-turkey-defence-cooperation-3454 The PN came in clutch.

16 cell VLS for the HQ-16. The ships will also use an 'indigenous missile system,' so either Harbah or the supersonic missile the PN is developing (as per 2017-2018 MoDP report).

You can just barely see the VLS, but it's there. I think @cabatli_53 is witness to the fact that this forum willed the VLS on MILGEM into reality. Let's now proceed to the TF-2000 :P

Wasn't that a different time though? It seemed as though the BNP broadly OK with Pakistan, while the Awami League is vehemently against it...?

Because each Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C cost the PAF around $90 m (as the PAF absorbed all of the required infrastructure to operate it), which is a really good deal. A new AEW&C platform with new aircraft type would cost 2-3X that easily.

The biggest game changer is the Meteor. That might also explain why the Grifo-E is still kicking about as an option for Block 3. But the irony here is that as one of the Meteor partners, France will have a say in any such deal (takes us back to the original Thales/MBDA deal for Block-I/II).

I'd say the difference is that the folks asking for a Mirage reframe want an extra few squadrons of SOW carriers. So, attack distant targets from well within Pakistani borders, don't cross them. For that role a refresh is a good idea. It'll free up the JF-17s for air-to-air, which makes...

tbh that's the behavior of many Pakistani uncles... walks in to negotiate for a Merc/BMW, walks out to sign the deal for a Corolla. The Mirage is like the old 86 that is really cool to those who know what it's about.

Any idea if the PN got China to insert VLS large enough for long-range SAMs in the 054A/P?

I think the F-22P, Jinnah and 054A/P will be general purpose (incl. ASW), while the Damen corvettes & FAC(M) will focus on peacetime sea control, and in war, deploy Harba AShM/LACM.

It can be a capacity limit too. The JF-17 is taking up PAC's jigs and tooling, so in this case, it might be cheaper to work with some company like Denel which already has the infrastructure in place than to frontload overhead costs on doing it at home.

For all intents and purposes, no one cares for Pakistan enough for that except for Pakistanis (and some might dispute that too). In terms of complete fighter platforms, we're on our own.