IrbiS
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For February issue 2014 AIRFORCES MONTHLY's Georg Mader interviewed Deputy Chief Project Director JF-17 for PAF HQ and PAC KAMRA Air Commodore Mahmood Khalid at Dubai Air Show.
I'm just quoting our question of interest here:
"
AFM: Is there a possibility of an FC-20 export version of the J-10 to Pakistan? Do you imagine that this could happen, maybe at the cost of Thunder programme?
Air Cdre Khalid: My personal thoughts? Wishful thinking. But while this would be decided at a higher level than mine, from what I know or can see, an FC-20 or whatever will not be introduced into the PAF, at least not in the near or mid-term future. Why? The PAF is amidst the build-up of JF-17 squadrons - just last March, President Zardari honoured and awarded more than 30 air
commodores, wing commanders, group captains and squadron leaders for the successful launch of the Thunder into the PAF
fleet.
No other 'plane gives us this much capability at this cost. It's already carried out well over 10,000 sorties, and with towards 50 delivered, a third squadron is forming. In-flight refuelling from an IL-78 has been done. In parallel, the introduction of the Block 52 F-16s is happening, with systems like Goodrich recce pod(meaning Goodrich DB-110) to master. So this means we are well served by fast jet assets and there in no real need to add a third platform, especially when the J-10 is also a fourth-plus generation jet we already have, and our planners and analysts should be focusing on the future fifth generation!
But, as said, all this is beyond my daily business and responsibility.
"