I would disagree ... with the title and the title alone i.e "JFT is the wrong aircraft for Pakistan" -- because that isn't simply true -- cost effectiveness + less strings to deal with + a good all around fighter for it's weight class make JF-17 the ideal fighter for PAF --
In my opinion the problem doesn't lie with the platform i.e JFT -- but with the sheer number of opportunities PAF has missed -- That includes Mirage 2000, additional F-16's and the J-10.. Now one can argue different conditions prevalent at the time could have caused such and such decision to be made -- but then again we did genuinely miss out on the Mirages, even if a case can be build for the J-10's ..
The problem we face now is that -- we cant go out and open up a project worth 8-9 Billion dollars getting two new platforms in numbers that many of us here advocate ... and lets face it the procurement over the next 5 years will determine our shape vis a vis IAF -- thankfully the IAF is alot worse when it comes to handling procurement projects so we have a little room to breath .. Today, we face over 350 odd 4th generation aircrafts from the IAF side with 125 odd 4th generation fighters on our side a ratio of roughly 2.8 : 1 -- which is okay-ish for PAF -- and when you consider in the maintenance and force multipliers in a defensive doctrine -- we can conclude that PAF does have enough capability to not only defend PAF skies -- but to give the IAF a bloody nose in the process ...
But it's not the same thing as -- " You come anywhere near my airspace -- and I will seriously F*CK you UP!" --
I think this is the right time to strike the decisive blow and cut down the numerical and technological disparity that IAF has traditionally enjoyed against the PAF ... Our economy is recovering and while we cannot go out and get execute a MMRCA type of project -- what we can do is convince the US to let more nations who plan on retiring their F-16's -- sell those pieces at low prices ... while making a similar MLU deal with the US which I think back then was around 1+ billion dollars while acquiring 3 squadrons of used F-16's (roughly 40/45 odd jets) -- we would be having a fleet of 120 F-16's @ blk 50 level .. I wouldn't wanna go with the complexity of adding an air superiority fighter like the J-10 because even 2 odd squadrons of J-10 B would be VERY costly -- and then we'd need time and training to finally put them in to use -- with the F-16's -- its more like plug & play kind of thing .. With ISIS coming in to Afghanistan it seems more likely the US would still want to keep check on such an organization and stay in Afghanistan as the ANA has repeatedly shown its lack of ability to cope with the Taliban threat much less ISIS -- and the peace talks as it seems have not ended in a way that many wanted them to ...
Secondly, with the MMRCA practically going down the drain -- and rumors of the french willing to renegotiate the deal for JFT, its time that Pakistan gives the Indians a taste of their own medicine and negotiates a new deal with the french for the upgrades of the JF-17 -- we already have Selex willing to give us an AESA and with weapons like MICA and EW suites based on SPECTRA, the kind PAF was negotiating for in the previous deal -- a "western JFT" will not only be a formidable foe for anything it goes up against -- but also will increase the prospects of exports as customers who prefer a western version of the JFT could peruse that --- As it stands now with the new weaponry coming out of China the likes of new versions of SD-10, 5th generation WVR missiles -- A darter from S.Africa/Brazil --- the thunder is only going to get much more venomous ..
Lastly, the navy should chip in for the acquisition of a platform like JH-7B as it will also serve the navy -- with the CPEC and such Chinese interests -- It shouldn't be that hard to purchase something like 3 squadrons cost effectively ..
If we play our cards well, we do have the potential to cause a considerable shift in the current balance of air power, where we can use our air power as a deterrent similar to how we use our missiles and nukes as powerful deterrents ...