Bulgaria to be offered JF-17 fighter by Pakistan

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Pakistan is to make its own proposal to Bulgaria concerning the overhaul of its aircraft fleet, media reports suggest.

Currently the US, Italy and Sweden have been bidding to answer Bulgaria's need to have a squadron of 16 fighter jets replacing the existing one which is made up of Russian-made outdated MiGs.

Islamabad's offer is to include JF-17s, multirole 4++ generation fighters which it has been producing jointly with China since 2007, according to daily Presa.

JF-17's engine is Chinese-made, but is constructed under Russian license and resembles that of MiG-29. The Pakistani vehicle is however considered to be more advanced, since MiG-29s are 4-generation aircraft.

Bulgaria has been seeking for a few years to update its aircraft fleet, with various governments in a row failing to take any decision.

Out of 15 offers submitted to Bulgaria's Defense Ministry, a total of 3 have been shortlisted, coming from Italy (offering Eurofighters), Sweden (Gripen) and the US (F-16).

The US option, F-16 fighters from Tucson, Arizona, includes aircraft that have already been removed from service. However, the author notes that even though the vehicles would virtually be a "gift", the need for thorough repairs would generate higher costs for the buyers than if new jets are acquired.

Sweden's proposal to sell Gripen aircraft is the only one involving new vehicles which are to be delivered two years on from sealing a contract. According to Presa's report, within this stretch of time, Sofia could be granted used Gripen fighters for training. Various officials are backing the idea of buying newly-built fighters, including Air Force Commander Maj Gen Rumen Radev and his predecessor Miho Mihov (also ex-Chief of Defense, currently an MP heading Parliament's Defense Committee).

Pakistan 'to Table Own Fighters Offer' to Bulgaria - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

 

[Dalit]

Good news. Table it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[Kompromat]

Competing against world's biggest plsyers itself is a lot of experiance for us. Good luck to the team Thunder.

 

[Rank]

Buy whatever they like but don't go for Amreekanzzz

 

[Imtiaz_Sarwar]

The actual sale of the aircraft will be a morale booster for the nation. Until then good luck with salesmanship to team Thunder.

 

[rockstar08]

JF against , Eurofighter and F-16 got very less chance , but best of luck .

 

[razgriz19]

F-16 will be too expensive for them to maintain, Gripen would be costly to procure, and typhoon is obviously expensive as well.
JF-17 actually has a decent chance here, considering Bulgaria operates MiG-29, hence the engine commonality and plus its cheaper to procure and maintain than the rest.

 

[Basel]

Pakistan is to make its own proposal to Bulgaria concerning the overhaul of its aircraft fleet, media reports suggest.

Currently the US, Italy and Sweden have been bidding to answer Bulgaria's need to have a squadron of 16 fighter jets replacing the existing one which is made up of Russian-made outdated MiGs.

Islamabad's offer is to include JF-17s, multirole 4++ generation fighters which it has been producing jointly with China since 2007, according to daily Presa.

JF-17's engine is Chinese-made, but is constructed under Russian license and resembles that of MiG-29. The Pakistani vehicle is however considered to be more advanced, since MiG-29s are 4-generation aircraft.

Bulgaria has been seeking for a few years to update its aircraft fleet, with various governments in a row failing to take any decision.

Out of 15 offers submitted to Bulgaria's Defense Ministry, a total of 3 have been shortlisted, coming from Italy (offering Eurofighters), Sweden (Gripen) and the US (F-16).

The US option, F-16 fighters from Tucson, Arizona, includes aircraft that have already been removed from service. However, the author notes that even though the vehicles would virtually be a "gift", the need for thorough repairs would generate higher costs for the buyers than if new jets are acquired.

Sweden's proposal to sell Gripen aircraft is the only one involving new vehicles which are to be delivered two years on from sealing a contract. According to Presa's report, within this stretch of time, Sofia could be granted used Gripen fighters for training. Various officials are backing the idea of buying newly-built fighters, including Air Force Commander Maj Gen Rumen Radev and his predecessor Miho Mihov (also ex-Chief of Defense, currently an MP heading Parliament's Defense Committee).

Pakistan 'to Table Own Fighters Offer' to Bulgaria - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

too much flaws in OP, JF-17 still don't use Chinese engine also it is not 4++ gen fighter yet and it is not more advance the latest blocks of Mig29/35.

 

[Mughal-Prince]

too much flaws in OP, JF-17 still don't use Chinese engine also it is not 4++ gen fighter yet and it is not more advance the latest blocks of Mig29/35.

Did you read any offering document ??? It has not even tabled yet and they are planning to offer it. Block 2 is going to be offered with French or Other mix of Avionics and Engine could be Chinese or Russian Origin. And that would be a pretty strong contender against any pitted adversary.

 

[fatman17]

Pakistan is to make its own proposal to Bulgaria concerning the overhaul of its aircraft fleet, media reports suggest.

Currently the US, Italy and Sweden have been bidding to answer Bulgaria's need to have a squadron of 16 fighter jets replacing the existing one which is made up of Russian-made outdated MiGs.

Islamabad's offer is to include JF-17s, multirole 4++ generation fighters which it has been producing jointly with China since 2007, according to daily Presa.

JF-17's engine is Chinese-made, but is constructed under Russian license and resembles that of MiG-29. The Pakistani vehicle is however considered to be more advanced, since MiG-29s are 4-generation aircraft.

Bulgaria has been seeking for a few years to update its aircraft fleet, with various governments in a row failing to take any decision.

Out of 15 offers submitted to Bulgaria's Defense Ministry, a total of 3 have been shortlisted, coming from Italy (offering Eurofighters), Sweden (Gripen) and the US (F-16).

The US option, F-16 fighters from Tucson, Arizona, includes aircraft that have already been removed from service. However, the author notes that even though the vehicles would virtually be a "gift", the need for thorough repairs would generate higher costs for the buyers than if new jets are acquired.

Sweden's proposal to sell Gripen aircraft is the only one involving new vehicles which are to be delivered two years on from sealing a contract. According to Presa's report, within this stretch of time, Sofia could be granted used Gripen fighters for training. Various officials are backing the idea of buying newly-built fighters, including Air Force Commander Maj Gen Rumen Radev and his predecessor Miho Mihov (also ex-Chief of Defense, currently an MP heading Parliament's Defense Committee).

Pakistan 'to Table Own Fighters Offer' to Bulgaria - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Very difficult. They will probably opt for the US made F16.

 

[monitor]

Financially its right choice for Bulgaria but A NATO countries is equipping itself with Russian engine . I think second hand F-16 will have more chance then JF-17as US can use its political power to infuence the decision .

 

[rockstar08]

without a Twin seat Variant , its very low chance for JF-17 to make any exports ...

 

[Kompromat]

Its Block-II, and it will give the Gripen a fair run for its money.

 

[OTTOMAN]

Bulgaria to be offered JF-17 fighter by Pakistan - IHS Jane's 360

Bulgaria is to be offered the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft, according to national media reports.

The single-seat, single-engined fighter is to be offered by Pakistan as an alternative to the several Western aircraft types that are all vying to be selected by Bulgaria as it looks to replace its ageing MiG-29 'Fulcrum' and Sukhoi Su-25 'Frogfoot' platforms, the novinite.com Sofia News Agency reported on 4 March.

No details pertaining to costs or potential delivery timelines were revealed.

The Bulgarian government has stated that it will choose to buy new or secondhand Western fighters, or commit to a further MiG-29 upgrade. The acquisition of 'new' fighters is expected to cost more than BGN500 million (USD282 million), although actual new aircraft, such as Lockheed Martin Block 52 F-16s, are almost certainly unaffordable.

Contenders for secondhand jets include surplus Block 25 F-16s from the US Air National Guard, F-16 midlife upgrade aircraft from Belgium, early tranche Eurofighter Typhoons from the Italian Air Force, or surplus Saab Gripens from Sweden.

Developed jointly by China (where it is designated the FC-1) and Pakistan, the JF-17 Thunder made its maiden flight in 2004. Powered by a single Russian-designed but Chinese-built Klimov RD-93 (RD-33 derivative) turbofan, it has a top speed of Mach 1.6 (at altitude); a radius-of-operation of 648 n miles (1,200 km) as a fighter and 378 n miles (700 km) as a ground attack platform; a range of 971 n miles (1,798 km) on internal fuel, or 1,100 n miles (2,037 km) for ferry; a service ceiling of 52,500 ft; and a g-rating of +8.5/-3.5.

It has seven underwing/fuselage hardpoints, and is equipped with an internal GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon. Weapon options include up to four PL-5, -7, -8 or -9 short-range air-to-air missiles (AAMs) or four PL-12/SD-10B medium-range AAMs; two C-802A anti-ship missiles; two anti-radiation missiles; five 500 kg bombs; twin launchers for up to eight 250 kg, MK-20, GBU-12 or anti-runway bombs; single 1,000 kg bomb or GBU-10; or up to three mission pods.

ANALYSIS
Although widely offered for export with countries such as Argentina, Serbia, and even Saudi Arabia, the JF-17 has yet to secure its first international customer.

While Bulgaria's economic situation would appear to make it a good candidate for the approximately USD30 million fighter (a comparable Western type would likely cost double this at least), its status as a NATO member would not.

As one of the alliance's newest members, Bulgaria is striving towards achieving full interoperability with its NATO partners, and indeed this is one of the primary reasons that it is looking to replace its Soviet-era MiGs and Sukhois. The JF-17 is not a NATO-compatible aircraft (although it can be upgraded to be so), and so is not a good fit for Bulgaria operationally.

Politically, such a procurement of a joint Chinese-Pakistani platform would be extremely difficult for Bulgaria, as evidenced by the reaction to Turkey's proposed procurement of the China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CPMIEC) HQ-9 air and missile defence system in 2013.

That decision caused a fury, with Turkey's alliance partners saying that the Chinese system would never be integrated with NATO systems, effectively forcing a back down from the Turkish government, which is now moving away from the HQ-9 and is restarting negotiations with US and European suppliers instead.

Being a new and enthusiastic member of NATO, Bulgaria will be loath to place itself in a similar position, and for this reason primarily it would seem that a JF-17 buy is not likely to happen.

 

[Hurter]

It depends if they accept this offer. We had also offered JF-17 to other countries as well, but the deal is not final yet.