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Iraq to buy 12 JF-17 Thunder jets from Pakistan

The UK manufactures parts for the Gripen - so there is a UK veto there. Same with the Korean ( political veto, not industrial unless they want UK eject seats and Meteors AAMs ). Argentinas only options are F16s(cause the USA dont give a crap), Russian and Chinese.

If Argentina has taken a look at Zuhai 2021 they should be see which country (Russia, China) has industry momentum. You are looking to buy a product with a shelf life of 30-40 years from start to finish..

The Mig-35 is an old design that is a dead end as far as mid-life upgrades go and addition of new weapons etc.

China is the only game in town for Argentina.

Not with AUKUS happening, no.
 
Not with AUKUS happening, no.
I think the UK will be more than happy if Argentina acquires US F-16s. For one it will prevent China from getting a foot hold in South America. Secondly once the acquisition is made UK can always talk the Americans into restricting the add-ons and weapons that come with the F-16s. The number of aircraft delivered now and ordered in the future might also need a nod from the UK. If somewhere down the line Argentina gets any ideas, the UK can always ask the US to sanction the Argentinian air force

With the JF-17 the UK would have no such leverage. In fact it will pave way for the Argentinian air force to acquire advanced Chinese aircraft and associated goodies in the future
 
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It’s not just aim120 t
It’s too expensive and restrictive for them as well mostly supported by LM employees or contractor for major support plus parts
 
Iraq wont buy any JF-17s. they want a mix of F-16s and Rafale fighters and Bayraktar TB2s from turkey for the air force. and recently they signed a maintenance deal with USA and south Korea to support it's fleet of F-16s and T-50s.

JF-17s deal is only talks and rumors by media, no deal signing or payments were paid for the JF-17s, they didn't even go for modern mig-29s when Russia offered to sell it to them with cheap prices.
 

Two Points:
1. I hope the PAF has or trains Technical Advisors that can speak Arabic to facilitate these sales and support services. It would make it a lot easier to Liaison with Iraqi Pilots, maintainers, and politicians.

2. I hope the PAF works on an IR version of the SD-10 for the Anti-Drone Mission (Similar to the Mica-IR). Coupled with a JF-17 carrying an IRST pod, it opens up opportunities against stealthier drones that will be developed once those drone makers start seeing their birds shot down.
 
Iraq wont buy any JF-17s. they want a mix of F-16s and Rafale fighters and Bayraktar TB2s from turkey for the air force. and recently they signed a maintenance deal with USA and south Korea to support it's fleet of F-16s and T-50s.

JF-17s deal is only talks and rumors by media, no deal signing or payments were paid for the JF-17s, they didn't even go for modern mig-29s when Russia offered to sell it to them with cheap prices.
Why Rafale?
 
Iraq wont buy any JF-17s. they want a mix of F-16s and Rafale fighters and Bayraktar TB2s from turkey for the air force. and recently they signed a maintenance deal with USA and south Korea to support it's fleet of F-16s and T-50s.

JF-17s deal is only talks and rumors by media, no deal signing or payments were paid for the JF-17s, they didn't even go for modern mig-29s when Russia offered to sell it to them with cheap prices.

The question is why you would think "modern Mig-29s" are better than JF-17 block 3. Especially when Mig-35 is a fraction of Russia's original sales pitch and not even picked up by RuAF https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/35500/why-russias-mig-35-is-starting-to-look-like-a-dead-duck

I'm sure picking up F-16s of used/new variety is probably the most logical move for Iraq, but that may not be something Iraqis go for it they are wary of future relationship with America. I don't see why Iraq needs or could afford something like Rafale.

Even if JF-17 is not the capable fighter jet option, they are sufficient for a lot of countries. There are also reasonable industrial support or other high end military hardware that China could offer as a package deal. For Arab countries, the relationship with Pakistan may have play a role in their decisions.
 
Two Points:
1. I hope the PAF has or trains Technical Advisors that can speak Arabic to facilitate these sales and support services. It would make it a lot easier to Liaison with Iraqi Pilots, maintainers, and politicians.

2. I hope the PAF works on an IR version of the SD-10 for the Anti-Drone Mission (Similar to the Mica-IR). Coupled with a JF-17 carrying an IRST pod, it opens up opportunities against stealthier drones that will be developed once those drone makers start seeing their birds shot down.

Why waste SD-10 on cheap drones that cost a fraction of its cost? Even PL-5E is overkill.
 
Why waste SD-10 on cheap drones that cost a fraction of its cost? Even PL-5E is overkill.
Some times there is a need to hit them further out, or detection maybe too late to be engaged with guns or a shorter range missile.
 

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