But the question is, would these F-16's be able to not only deny air superiority to MKIs but also be able to dominate them?
Inside Pakistan Airspace, with data linking to AWACS and ground stations, yes F-16's can easily counter MKI.
In Indian airspace, depends upon alot of factors like enemy AD aerial assets available, deception on PAF part, way points with least amount of SAM's etc. F-16 will encounter Mig-29 along with MKI backed by AWACS and ground SAM's so the picture is not so rosy.
18 Block 52+ might just be able to do that but they will have to contend with 270 MKIs.........and what happens when all MKIs are upgraded to Super MKI standard and our very small fleet of F-16's is still stuck on MLU largely and some on Block 52+?
18 is a small number but not everything depends upon F-16 Block 52+. There are 45 F-16 MLU available which are also capable of countering MKI entering Pakistani airspace.
The 13 F-16 ADF will always be used for CAP or intercept or escort role. So this is a dedicated squadron which will not be burdened like other F-16 for ground strikes.
Infact ,PAF can make active all retired F-6 to beef up the numbers in case of war. So the AD flight might look like this:
2 X F-16
2 X JF-17
2 X F-7 P
Or
2 X JF-17
2 X Mirage III
2 X active F-6
Or
2 X F-16
2 X Mirage III
2 X F-7 P
This can happen because PAF will always conserve F-16's for 100 kinds of other missions that it has planned in case of war.
Super Sukhoi's main advantage is AESA. JF-17 Block III is slated to have an AESA and HMDS with new gen A2A missiles, so lets see how that comes out. In any case, IRST is a good concept for A2A dog fights also.
Instead, we should rather have a JF-17 that has state of the art AESA radar, EM/ECM & ECCM, high usage of superior composites, RAM Coatings, largely stealth with the assistance of design/RAM & avionics, much more powerful engine with supercruise, higher service ceiling, longer range and duration
You should read QUWA on JF-17 Block III specs
http://quwa.org/2015/08/30/jf-17-iii-jf-17-block-3/
I propose that PAF makes a JF-17 Block IV, an EW aircraft on lines of EA-18G. This aircraft should be used to escort strike flight groups into enemy territory.
It should have High band and low band jamming pods apart from other pods like EW and detection. May or may not carry an A2A missile.
..........basically the JFT should be able to take on anything in the IAF arsenal and out-perform it with Pakistani skies. And on top of it all, they should have a weapons package like no other. And we should have atleast 300 of these.
JFT can already take on IAF in own skies but PAF will always use a combo of aircrafts in AD role like the way i wrote above because to counter F-16 or F-7P or JF-17, the IAF SU30MKI needs to use different tactics which is not possible in the short duration of engagement. PAF will fully exploit the advantages of every aircraft type in A2A combat and hide its weaknesses by complementing strength from another type of aircarft.
so if u have in mind that PAF will use 4 X JF-17 or 4 X F-16 to counter IAF, forget it. it will always send in mixed types of aircrafts.
The 300 number is massive. I think 150 Block III should be enough. Rest of the money should be spent on acquiring a 5th gen aircraft
Plus, we should have J-31's in service within the next 5-10 years.
I agree but J-31 in my opinion is a force multiplier kind of aircraft. This should be the main strike aircraft for attacks inside enemy territory. It cannot carry much ordnance, almost equal to Mirage III/V or F-7 P.
It will be interesting to see if PAF acquired and inducts 5th gen J-31 before IAF does. If its possible, this will give a huge boost to PAF offensive and defensive capabilities.
The AESA radar it uses will categorise its lethality e.g will it act as mini AWACS, will it use its radar to guide other 4th gen PAF aircraft towards targets, will it use its radar mainly for jamming enemy aircrafts radars and confusing or blinding them etc.
It will also be interesting to see how PAF uses it in combo with other aircrafts. will it lead the attack or stay behind the formation, will it act as deception aircraft only in a PAF strike in India, will it be configured to use external loads compromising stealth etc etc
It's time to let go of the F-16's, they served us well........but very soon they will only be a liability instead of an asset. That is unless we are able to get upgrade packages for all our F-16's that upgrade them to Block 60.......which again is a dream.
The F-16's have good capabilities which still other PAF aircraft dont have. These include range, targeting pod and payload. Pakistan has access to TAI to upgrade F-16's when required. Block 60 or newer F-16 V configuration is not possible.
The F-16 ADF can still carry 6 A2A missiles with a 2-3 fuel tanks unlike JF-17 (4 with 1 or 2 fuel tanks), Mirage III/V (4) and F-7 P (4).
So realistically, we need to put 80% of our eggs in JF-17's basket and 20% in J-31's basket. Within 5 years, the JFT can be a formidable 4.5 gen fighter.
I recommend 50% for JF-17 and 50% for a new aircraft like J-31.
