Czech Media : Pakistan shows interest in buying L-159

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

I have another idea as well... Running a L-39NG-like upgrade on the K-8. Basically, it would be a program to re-manufacture the K-8 with some new components to reduce the aircraft's weight, give it new avionics, etc.

 

[Chak Bamu]

I have another idea as well... Running a L-39NG-like upgrade on the K-8. Basically, it would be a program to re-manufacture the K-8 with some new components to reduce the aircraft's weight, give it new avionics, etc.

That would be an excellent project. It would test tge mettle of PAC engineers, plus provide the missing link in trainer lineup that could be sold to other countries. FBW would need to be incorporated somehow though.

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

That would be an excellent project. It would test tge mettle of PAC engineers, plus provide the missing link in trainer lineup that could be sold to other countries. FBW would need to be incorporated somehow though.

Absolutely. The JF-17 Block-III alone would result in at least 3 new fighter squadrons with very sophisticated equipment, and that number (of squadrons) will only grow, be it with the 5th-gen fighter or even 4.5 gen intermediary (if that dream is realized).

Rookie pilots will need to be acclimated to the workload of a next-gen fighter with AESA radar, HMD/S, targeting pods and possibly even data and/or sensor fusion.

It'd be a good idea to work on a way to begin acclimation earlier on, so a K-8NG with multiple MFDs - or even single large panel - FBW and onboard simulator for an AESA radar, modern EW/ECM, etc could be valuable. Trainees will acclimate gradually with each new platform thereafter, so by the time they reach the OCU, they'll worry about the specific fighter and not the overarching concepts.

 

[nang2]

How about China's JL9 (FTC-2000) or JL10 (L-15) for a change?

 

[denel]

This makes no sense. K-8 is in the same league. Making these various claims shows there is no coherence roadmap for K-8 in terms of development and next gen; it is laughable that they are going here and there on tax payers money for free.

 

[New World]

How about China's JL9 (FTC-2000) or JL10 (L-15) for a change?

Don't know about JL-9, but L-15 is expensive to procure and maintain.

L-15 is in the same league as K-50, expensive expensive and expensive..

 

[Jaanbaz]

What advantage might this aircraft have over K-8?

I see no reason to opt for something like this. If anything, K-8 should be upgraded to enable it to undertake light ground attack missions.

Your talking too much sense, way too much for the PAF.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

JF17 Block 3 Might be a bit too much for new pilots to absorb , so seems like plan is to give them some exposure on Ligther Jet.

900km /hr speed not as fast as F16 or JF17 thunder which is fine but gives people taste of faster things to come

Good Trainer to do basic weapon's training

Training & Patrol

• Super Mushak , a nice introductory platform , basic theory
• HURKS - C Introduction to weapons , light ammunition
  
• K-8 Introduction to Jet Engine craft
• L-159, Introduction to Advance Jet Engine Craft

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Duty

• Promotion to F7 / Mirage
• Promotion to F16 C/D Airspace Defense Platform
  
• Promotion to JF17 Multi Mission Platform

I would imagine this plane could also be used on Border patrol
K-8 also has reasonable weapons combination

However not an urgent item

The L-159 gives you some exposure to mid air refueling some of the air to ground weaponry is quite useful

 

[Raider 21]

Thanks.

This goes to show why I am not convinced that L-159 or L-39 is needed. Both K-8 & L-159 seem to have similar flight performance based on the air-frame.

A trainer having FBW can be tailored to mimic another combat plane's performance. This could be the only reason for PAF to go for another platform.

The K-8 is not on the same class as the L-159. The K-8 was built as an intermediate jet trainer and later modified for light-attack. The L-159 is an advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft. The avionics are newer, the engine is more powerful, the cockpit is better.....overall a bigger aircraft. Had the K-8 been modified by PAC, it would've been a serious contender to fill in the coming-soon gap for OCU but R&D is being pushed further more for a new JF-17 variant, a new fifth generation fighter (impressive with the lack of experience on 4th generation eh ??) and supposedly commercial aircraft. I personally prefer the T-50A, the T-50A can be a great addition in my opinion to PAF for OCU (commonality of spare parts with existing F-16s would help too), then again it all depends on US-Pakistan relations. Cheers !!!

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

The K-8 is not on the same class as the L-159. The K-8 was built as an intermediate jet trainer and later modified for light-attack. The L-159 is an advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft. The avionics are newer, the engine is more powerful, the cockpit is better.....overall a bigger aircraft. Had the K-8 been modified by PAC, it would've been a serious contender to fill in the coming-soon gap for OCU but R&D is being pushed further more for a new JF-17 variant, a new fifth generation fighter (impressive with the lack of experience on 4th generation eh ??) and supposedly commercial aircraft. I personally prefer the T-50A, the T-50A can be a great addition in my opinion to PAF for OCU (commonality of spare parts with existing F-16s would help too), then again it all depends on US-Pakistan relations. Cheers !!!

It's also worth noting that the L-159, like the CZ-807 assault rifle, would get a strong shot in the arm in terms of publicity if Pakistan were to order it (especially after publicly looking at the T-50). One could try leveraging that to pull a better deal.

 

[Raider 21]

It's also worth noting that the L-159, like the CZ-807 assault rifle, would get a strong shot in the arm in terms of publicity if Pakistan were to order it (especially after publicly looking at the T-50). One could try leveraging that to pull a better deal.

Agreed....

 

[BATMAN]

The L-159 is between the K-8 and JF-17.

In between jF17B would fit perfectly, however IMO, K-8 must be replaced with Hurkus.

News its self is speculation... if its any bit accurate, it simply translate to that PAF looking for better alternates to K-8 and instead of spending resources and energies improving it, they prefer to keep focus on 5th generation and blk3+.

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

In between jF17B would fit perfectly, however IMO, K-8 must be replaced with Hurkus.

News its self is speculation... if its any bit accurate, it simply translate to that PAF looking for better alternates to K-8 and instead of spending resources and energies improving it, they prefer to keep focus on 5th generation and blk3+.

It's a news report more so than speculation. Euro is claiming it spoke to Aero Vodochody and the Czech MoD, both of whom told Euro that they're in talks with Pakistan re: the L-159.

 

[BATMAN]

It's a news report more so than speculation. Euro is claiming it spoke to Aero Vodochody and the Czech MoD, both of whom told Euro that they're in talks with Pakistan re: the L-159.

OK... than I guess it's for transition to F-16.
It's preferred over Hurkus, maybe because mid air refueling training is not possible with Hurkus.

 

[Rajput_Pakistani]

In marketing & sales term, every company has cash cows, stars, dogs and problem child. There are customers coming for Stars and smart management sometime ask them, oh okay, we will sell our stars but for each star, you would need to buy 2 of our problem child as well.
I think, its something like this.

VERA we love you

Its purely my speculation, could be stupid I think