They are working to regain and than retain the edge in terms on BVR capabilities ....they are putting entire weight on Rafales. It also shows (as some reports are suggesting) they may cancel 110 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircrafts acquisition in favour of Rafales and the numbers may increase to 100 plus....
one report suggests the future outlook of IAF ...2020 and beyond as:
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The are focusing their future plans mainly based on PLAAF & PAF plans and capability....the reports says:
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PAF has been regarded as a highly professional force by its opponents as well as its allies. Pakistan, by virtue of being part of the western allies in the cold war era and afterwards as well, PAF has had the opportunity to operate state of the art aircraft and equipment of the times including US systems like F-86s, F-104s, and F-16s. However, soon after the Soviets left Afghanistan, tough economic and military sanctions were imposed by the US due to which Pakistan military in general and PAF in particular lost out on to any new acquisitions, upgrades and refurbishments of the aging equipment and hence the entire decade of the 1990s was consumed in maintaining and training on the relatively older equipment. It was only after 9/11 that the US developed interest in the region and Pakistan was once again requested for support assistance for the US and NATO operations in Afghanistan and hence the flow of money and machines resumed.
"AMRAAM and also undertaking Mid-Life Upgrades of its older version of F-16s alongside inductions of JF-17s. PAF has also been concentrating on the procurements of ground-based radars, and surface to air and air to air weapons.
Training of its air and ground crew has been a priority for the PAF to successfully and smoothly induct the modern weapon systems. For the purpose, PAF has procured simulators and modernized its training institutions and firing ranges with state of the art simulation systems. PAF is training hard to fulfill its assigned mission which reads, “To provide in synergy with other services, the most efficient, assured and cost effective aerial defense of Pakistan”.
Analysis of PAF mission reveals that meaningful joint operations with effective air defense are the primary objectives of its leadership. PAF does not have aggressive designs but to ensure the assured aerial defense of Pakistan, it would have to undertake counter offensive operations for which it would need multirole aircraft supported by force multipliers. 40. PAF plans to build its future force structure around its own coproduced fighter JF17. PAF is expected to have at least 10-12 squadrons with a total fleet of 250-275 aircraft. These JF-17s would be equipped with advanced sensors and air-to-air weaponry. Also, these aircraft would be fitted with aerial refueling probes to enhance the loiter time. This large fleet of JF-17 would be led by multi-role advanced fleet of around 100 F-16s armed with wide ranging capabilities of carrying AMRAAMs, EW suits and variety of ground attack weapons. The exact number of these aircraft would be largely dependent on PakUS relations during the next ten years. PAF is also evaluating Chinese FC-20 aircraft and if funds become available, it may induct at least 36-40 aircraft anytime between 2015- 2017.
full report can be accessed at:
https://www.defence.gov.au/ADC/Publications/documents/Commanders/2012/Shamsi-2012.pdf
