Is Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet a Better Choice than HAL Tejas?

[NOWorNEVER]

Is Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet a Better Choice than HAL Tejas?
By
Syed Shafiq
-
April 18, 2018


With reports of Malaysia and Pakistan discussing the export of the JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet, comparisons between Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder and the Indian HAL Tejas have surfaced. Although the JF-17 Thunder and HAL Tejas are comparable at many levels like easy maintenance, lightness and manoeuvrability, the fact that the JF-17 Thunder is ready for sale, has given it a head-start. So is the JF-17 Thunder really better than the HAL Tejas?

India’s Make In India Program Gets US Support to Counter Russian Influence & Counter China

After the Defense Services Asia exhibition 2018, a Pakistani official announced that Malaysia and Pakistan had begun discussing the export of the JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet, for the Royal Malaysian Air Force combat fleet.

Is Malaysia Ready to Enlist the JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet?
The official from Pakistan clarified that the discussions were ‘preliminary’ and no deals between the governments had been signed yet. In fact, Pakistan has extended support to locally manufacture, maintain, repair and take care of overhaul in partnership with Malaysia’s local industry.

As reported in The Diplomat:

“POWERED BY A RUSSIAN DESIGNED BUT CHINESE LICENSE-BUILT KLIMOV RD-93 (AN RD-33 DERIVATIVE) TURBOFAN ENGINE, [THE JF-17 THUNDER] CAN REPORTEDLY REACH A TOP SPEED OF UP TO MACH 1.6 AND HAS AN OPERATIONAL RANGE OF UP TO 1,200 KILOMETRES WITHOUT REFUELLING,”

Malaysia has stated its interest in acquiring a twin-engine fighter plane for over 10 years, however, a dearth of funds has not allowed the country to go ahead with the plans. In fact, Malaysia plans to replace it’s Mig-29s with around eighteen new combat jets.

JF-17 Thunder vs Tejas
Both the nations – India and Pakistan – are aware of the potential of combat planes such as the JF-17 Thunder and the HAL Tejas in the current market. While both models may be similar, the availability of Pak’s fighter jet makes it more popular. However, both the JF-17 and Tejas hold a very wide customer base in economically weakened nations that require low cost but effective air defence.

There was news about Sri Lanka interested in buying the JF-17 Thunder but India supposedly derailed the deal by offering upgraded versions of the Mig 27s, free of cost, in a hope to sell the Tejas to Sri Lanka in the future. However, the fact is that India is not ready to offer the Tejas to the international market, while the JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet is ready and up for sale.

Why India’s Defence Export Strategy for BrahMos & Tejas is Failing with Make in India?

Will India’s Make In India Program Outshine the JF-17 Thunder?
India is trying to shift from one of the world’s largest importer to being an exporter with PM Modi’s Make In India program focusing on military development. However, lack of resources and poor execution have not allowed India to go ahead with its plans.

The HAL Tejas is a matter for pride for the Indian defence industry, however, it has taken nearly 3 decades for the project to reach its current stage and that is something India needs to reflect upon. On the other hand, the JF-17 Thunder by Pakistan has gathered operational experience and made it a bigger buying potential for foreign buyers.

Other News:

https://eurasiantimes.com/jf-17-thunder-vs-tejas/

 

[Maxpane]

Really

 

[El Sidd]

Its not even a contest.

Tejas never took off the ground as a project.

 

[KapitaanAli]

Thunder will be a big step backwards for Malaysia. Blk3 is a different matter.

Tejas Mk1 will be a big step forward in terms of avionics, but we're not ready for export.

So, Malaysia should just stick to Russian wares if they don't have money. Do the deal with us for Su30 spares in exchange for Mig29.

 

[Vapnope]

Some wise man once said "1 bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush"

That settles everything !

 

[El Sidd]

Thunder will be a big step backwards for Malaysia. Blk3 is a different matter.

Tejas Mk1 will be a big step forward in terms of avionics, but we're not ready for export.

So, Malaysia should just stick to Russian wares if they don't have money. Do the deal with us for Su30 spares in exchange for Mig29.

awww so desperate ?

 

[Mahmood-ur-Rehman]

Thunder will be a big step backwards for Malaysia. Blk3 is a different matter.

Tejas Mk1 will be a big step forward in terms of avionics, but we're not ready for export.

So, Malaysia should just stick to Russian wares if they don't have money. Do the deal with us for Su30 spares in exchange for Mig29.

Yes Malaysia should leeeeeep forward and have contract with India to get Teja in 2050

 

[alphapak]

If Malaysia buys the JF17 thunder that will make it 4 countries
operating the Thunder whereas Tejas is nowhere.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Its not even a contest.

Tejas never took off the ground as a project.

If you are comparing apples with oranges, this kind of misconception might happen. The JF 17 has always been acknowledged to have been assembled in Pakistan from parts made in China, notwithstanding the steady indigenisation that the Pakistani side has brought in. This is as good or as bad as the Indian assembly of the Gnat, later, the Ajeet, the MiG 21, the MiG 23, the MiG 27, the Jaguar, and currently the SU 30 MKI.

How do you people consistently, every time, every post, compare what you assemble with what others design and build?

 

[hussain0216]

If you are comparing apples with oranges, this kind of misconception might happen. The JF 17 has always been acknowledged to have been assembled in Pakistan from parts made in China, notwithstanding the steady indigenisation that the Pakistani side has brought in. This is as good or as bad as the Indian assembly of the Gnat, later, the Ajeet, the MiG 21, the MiG 23, the MiG 27, the Jaguar, and currently the SU 30 MKI.

How do you people consistently, every time, every post, compare what you assemble with what others design and build?

Jf17 is joint venture between PAF and a chinese company

Its not our fault you cant understand this

 

[Joe Shearer]

Jf17 is joint venture between PAF and a chinese company

Its not our fault you cant understand this

It's not anybody's fault that you can't understand who does what in the 'joint venture'.

 

[hussain0216]

It's not anybody's fault that you can't understand who does what in the 'joint venture'.

I get it your upset, but Pakistan is part and parcel of the JF17 venture

Not only this as JF17s were never really meant for China the developmental force pushing the JF17s direction was Pakistan as the more experienced airforce who has partaken in air combat against numerous states and who regularly trains and partakes in exercises with nations across the world most recent being gulf shield where we pitted JF17s against the gulfs best

The chinese company filled in the blanks


This is a J.V


Whilst you are just assembling mostly Russian parts

Even tejas is a hodge podge of parts from across the world

 

[Joe Shearer]

I get it your upset, but Pakistan is part and parcel of the JF17 venture

????

Never denied that.

Not only this as JF17s were never really meant for China the developmental force pushing the JF17s direction was Pakistan as the more experienced airforce who has partaken in air combat against numerous states and who regularly trains and partakes in exercises with nations across the world most recent being gulf shield where we pitted JF17s against the gulfs best

So with that experience, they sat and designed the air-frame, the aeronautical design, the avionics, the engine, the radar....is that what you are telling me? Or was the PAF the user, telling the Chinese what the blanks were, that they had to fill in?

The chinese company filled in the blanks

No problem with that. It's just that the blanks seem to have been the whole aircraft.

This is a J.V

Not denied anywhere.

Whilst you are just assembling mostly Russian parts

I agree that assembling solely Chinese parts makes a critical technical difference. You win. Screwdrivers ahead of any comparable effort.

 

[duhastmish]

the biggest and foremost issue i see is.

our armed forces deny to tejas
where as paf is proud to fly in jf17.

so the questions of specs and cost remains redundant.
for whatever be thw reason we ourselves say tejas is not worthy flying in a battle zone.

 

[hussain0216]

the biggest and foremost issue i see is.

our armed forces deny to tejas
where as paf is proud to fly in jf17.

so the questions of specs and cost remains redundant.
for whatever be thw reason we ourselves say tejas is not worthy flying in a battle zone.

Maybe because your military better understands the faults and failures and limitations of tejas above and beyond fanboys droolings