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JF-17, not F-16, used in air combat: report
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https://nationalinterest.org/blog/b...ersial-love-affair-f-16-fighting-falcon-47682
Fighting Falcon
March 16, 2019 Topic: Security Region: South Asia Blog Brand: The Buzz Tags: Pakistan Air ForceIndian Air ForceMig-21F-16Pakistan
It's really complicated.
by Sebastien Roblin
5 Sobering Facts About The Power Of China's Military
During an aerial skirmish on February 27, 2019, an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison was shot down by a radar-guided missile. The Pakistani Air Force (PAF) claims the kill was scored by a JF-17 Thunder, a domestically-built fighter built with Chinese assistance.
However, India subsequently revealed fragments of an AIM-120C-5 missile—a U.S.-built weapon only compatible with the American-built F-16s in PAF service. Pakistan has incentives to deny the use of F-16s, as secret end-user agreements may restrict the aircraft’s use against India—despite that being an obvious application of the venerable fourth-generation jet . India, meanwhile, claims the MiG-21’s pilot managed to shoot down an F-16.
Air Cover for the Mujahideen
Pakistan’s F-16s have been no stranger to controversy for nearly four decades.
In response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Islamabad and Washington collaborated to train, organize and arm mujahideen resistance fighters in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. In retaliation, Afghan and Soviet warplanes began bombing the camps—and the PAF’s Chinese-made J-6 jets proved too slow to catch them.
Report Advertisement
Thus in 1981, Pakistan convinced the United States to sell it F-16 Fighting Falcon single-engine multi-role fighters —a then cutting-edge yet inexpensive-to-operate design with fly-by-wire controls affording it extraordinary maneuverability. The agile Falcon could attain speeds as high as Mach 2 and lug heavy weapons loads, though it did have a limited combat radius (around 350 miles) and early production models lacked beyond-visual-range missiles.
Between October 1982 and 1986, a total of twenty-eight F-16As and twelve two-seat F-16Bs were delivered to Pakistan via Saudi Arabia in Operations Peace Gate I and II. These outfitted the PAF’s No. 9, 11 and 14 Squadrons which flew patrols along the Afghan border, typically carrying two advanced AIM-9L and two cheaper AIMP-9P-4 Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles.
Report Advertisement
Unlike earlier heat-seekers which could lock on to the hot tail-pipe at the rear of an aircraft, the AIM-9L “Lima” Sidewinders could engage from any angle. The AIM-9L’s ability to hit opponents in a head-on-pass would soon prove particularly effective.
Between 1986 and 1990, the PAF credited th F-16 with shooting down ten Afghan and Soviet jets, helicopters and transport planes, with many additional claims unconfirmed. Soviet and Afghan records definitively confirm only six losses: four Su-22s supersonic fighter-bombers , one Su-25 “flying tank ” piloted by future Russian vice president Alexander Rutskoy, and one An-26 cargo plane.
The PAF lost a single F-16, apparently struck by a missile fired by its own wingman. The F-16 patrols reportedly deterred more extensive bombardment of refugee camps on Pakistani soil, and disrupted Soviet efforts to resupply isolated outposts.
The Nuclear F-16 Controversy
By 1990 Pakistan had already placed Peace Gate III and IV orders for seventy-one improved F-16A/B Block 15s. But in October 1990, Pakistan’s nuclear research program led the United States to impose sanctions. Thus, twenty-eight newly-built F-16s for which Pakistan had already paid $23 million apiece were consigned to the desert Boneyard facility in Arizona, where they remained for over a decade.
In the late 1990s, the Clinton administration offered to deliver the jets in return for Pakistan refraining from nuclear tests—but such was not to be. On May 28, 1998 Pakistan detonated five underground nuclear devices in response to an Indian nuclear test. It became evident that the heavy-lifting F-16s would serve as one ofPakistan’s primary nuclear-weapon delivery systems , and intelligence reports indicated that No. 9 and No. 11 squadron F-16s were modified to deliver nuclear gravity bombs on their center pylons.
Report Advertisement
A year later the two nuclear powers engaged in a limited war when Pakistani commandos infiltrated the mountainous Kargil region of India. As Indian Mirage 2000spounded the infiltrators while escorted by MiG-29s , F-16s flew combat air patrols along the Pakistani side of the Line of Control reportedly painting the Indian jets with their targeting radars—and vice-versa—in an effort to intimidate.
However, neither air arm was authorized to engage the other, so no air battles occurred. Nonetheless, three years later a PAF F-16B shot down an Indian Searcher II drone that had penetrated deep into Pakistani airspace.
Report Advertisement
Pakistan Finally Gets More Falcons
Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the United States intervened against the Taliban—a fundamentalist faction Pakistani intelligence agencies had cultivated to assert Islamabad’s influence in its war-torn neighbor. Seeking to wheedle half-hearted cooperation from Pakistan, in 2006 the Bush administration finally authorized the “Peace Drive” deal (“Peace Gate” having become poisonous brand) in which the United States handed over twenty-three remaining Peace Gate F-16As and Bs, and sold nineteen far more capable F-16Cs and D Block 52s.
Report Advertisement
The $5.1 billion deal also involved modernizing Pakistan’s by-then dated F-16A and Bs with the F-16AM/BM “Mid-Life Update.” This involved stripping down and repairing the aging air frames, replacing hundreds of wiring harnesses, exchanging old monochrome cockpit displays with color multi-function displays, and installing wide-angle HUDs and a new modular, digital flight computers which added support for laser and GPS-guided bombs.
Furthermore, an improved APG-66V2 doppler radar allowed the F-16AMs to employ beyond-visual-range AIM-120C-5 air-to-air missiles with a maximum range of sixty-five miles. 600 of the radar-guided fire-and-forget missiles were also sold. Pakistan also acquired DB-110 electro-optical reconnaissance pods capable of scanning 10,000 miles of terrain per hour.
Report Advertisement
As the Taliban forces expanded across Pakistan’s Swat Valley and Waziristan province, the Pakistani military finally counterattacked in 2009. PAF F-16s flew hundreds of combat missions through 2011, first using DB-110 pods to identify camouflaged Taliban positions, then destroying them with laser-guided 500 and 2,000-pound bombs.
Islamabad’s thirst for the agile jets was not yet sated. In 2013, it purchased nine more F-16As and four F-16Bs directly from Jordan.
Today, Pakistan operates around sixty-six F-16A/Bs and nineteen F-16C/Ds in four active squadrons, including No. 9 Griffins multi-role squadron in Sargodha, the No. 19 Sherdills training and air defense squadron at Thatta, and the No. 11 Arrows multi-role squadron based at Shahbaz near Jacobabad. The last base also hosts No. 5 Falcons multi-role squadron, the only F-16C/D unit.
Besides the F-16A downed by friendly fire, Pakistan has lostsix F-16As and two F-16Bs in accidents. In addition to bird strikes, engine failures, and pilot disorientation, one F-16B was consumed by fire after a collision with a wild boarduring takeoff caused the nose gear to collapse!
India’s recovery of AIM-120C-5 missile fragments after the air battle on February 27 provides convincing evidence that Pakistani F-16s scored their first kill since 1990. However, India also claims an F-16 was downed by a MiG-21 using an R-73 missile. The PAF denies the claim, though its candor about F-16 involvement is suspect, while Indian media has also circulated demonstrably false “proof of an F-16 loss. The only evidence of an F-16 loss was a Pakistani ground observer who claimed seeing two jets, not one, shot down.
The mere possibility that a Falcon was downed by a 1950s-era MiG-21 should not be over-interpreted. India’s MiG-21 Bisons, though outdated, feature upgraded radars, data-links, self-defense jammers, and agile heat-seeking R-73 missiles targeted with a helmet-mounted sight. The airframe has always had a smallish radar cross-section, is Mach 2 capable, and performed well in exercises against U.S. F-15s and F-16s !
While an F-16 is superior in many respects, particularly situational awareness, an R-73-armed MiG-21 that managed to close within visual range (as ostensibly occurred) would still pose a formidable threat.
In any case, the recent aerial skirmish highlights the important capabilities F-16s continue to provide Pakistan’s military, and the continuing tensions that may evoke as Pakistan aligns itself more with China, and the United States with India. Ironically, just days before the recent skirmish, F-16 manufacturer Lockheed launched a new pitch to move F-16 production to India for a heavily modernized spinoff dubbed the F-21 .
Sébastien Roblin holds a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a university instructor for the Peace Corps in China. He has also worked in education, editing, and refugee resettlement in France and the United States. He currently writes on security and military history for War Is Boring.
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/b...ersial-love-affair-f-16-fighting-falcon-47682
Fighting Falcon
March 16, 2019 Topic: Security Region: South Asia Blog Brand: The Buzz Tags: Pakistan Air ForceIndian Air ForceMig-21F-16Pakistan
It's really complicated.
by Sebastien Roblin
5 Sobering Facts About The Power Of China's Military
During an aerial skirmish on February 27, 2019, an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison was shot down by a radar-guided missile. The Pakistani Air Force (PAF) claims the kill was scored by a JF-17 Thunder, a domestically-built fighter built with Chinese assistance.
However, India subsequently revealed fragments of an AIM-120C-5 missile—a U.S.-built weapon only compatible with the American-built F-16s in PAF service. Pakistan has incentives to deny the use of F-16s, as secret end-user agreements may restrict the aircraft’s use against India—despite that being an obvious application of the venerable fourth-generation jet . India, meanwhile, claims the MiG-21’s pilot managed to shoot down an F-16.
Air Cover for the Mujahideen
Pakistan’s F-16s have been no stranger to controversy for nearly four decades.
In response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Islamabad and Washington collaborated to train, organize and arm mujahideen resistance fighters in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. In retaliation, Afghan and Soviet warplanes began bombing the camps—and the PAF’s Chinese-made J-6 jets proved too slow to catch them.
Report Advertisement
Thus in 1981, Pakistan convinced the United States to sell it F-16 Fighting Falcon single-engine multi-role fighters —a then cutting-edge yet inexpensive-to-operate design with fly-by-wire controls affording it extraordinary maneuverability. The agile Falcon could attain speeds as high as Mach 2 and lug heavy weapons loads, though it did have a limited combat radius (around 350 miles) and early production models lacked beyond-visual-range missiles.
Between October 1982 and 1986, a total of twenty-eight F-16As and twelve two-seat F-16Bs were delivered to Pakistan via Saudi Arabia in Operations Peace Gate I and II. These outfitted the PAF’s No. 9, 11 and 14 Squadrons which flew patrols along the Afghan border, typically carrying two advanced AIM-9L and two cheaper AIMP-9P-4 Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles.
Report Advertisement
Unlike earlier heat-seekers which could lock on to the hot tail-pipe at the rear of an aircraft, the AIM-9L “Lima” Sidewinders could engage from any angle. The AIM-9L’s ability to hit opponents in a head-on-pass would soon prove particularly effective.
Between 1986 and 1990, the PAF credited th F-16 with shooting down ten Afghan and Soviet jets, helicopters and transport planes, with many additional claims unconfirmed. Soviet and Afghan records definitively confirm only six losses: four Su-22s supersonic fighter-bombers , one Su-25 “flying tank ” piloted by future Russian vice president Alexander Rutskoy, and one An-26 cargo plane.
The PAF lost a single F-16, apparently struck by a missile fired by its own wingman. The F-16 patrols reportedly deterred more extensive bombardment of refugee camps on Pakistani soil, and disrupted Soviet efforts to resupply isolated outposts.
The Nuclear F-16 Controversy
By 1990 Pakistan had already placed Peace Gate III and IV orders for seventy-one improved F-16A/B Block 15s. But in October 1990, Pakistan’s nuclear research program led the United States to impose sanctions. Thus, twenty-eight newly-built F-16s for which Pakistan had already paid $23 million apiece were consigned to the desert Boneyard facility in Arizona, where they remained for over a decade.
In the late 1990s, the Clinton administration offered to deliver the jets in return for Pakistan refraining from nuclear tests—but such was not to be. On May 28, 1998 Pakistan detonated five underground nuclear devices in response to an Indian nuclear test. It became evident that the heavy-lifting F-16s would serve as one ofPakistan’s primary nuclear-weapon delivery systems , and intelligence reports indicated that No. 9 and No. 11 squadron F-16s were modified to deliver nuclear gravity bombs on their center pylons.
Report Advertisement
A year later the two nuclear powers engaged in a limited war when Pakistani commandos infiltrated the mountainous Kargil region of India. As Indian Mirage 2000spounded the infiltrators while escorted by MiG-29s , F-16s flew combat air patrols along the Pakistani side of the Line of Control reportedly painting the Indian jets with their targeting radars—and vice-versa—in an effort to intimidate.
However, neither air arm was authorized to engage the other, so no air battles occurred. Nonetheless, three years later a PAF F-16B shot down an Indian Searcher II drone that had penetrated deep into Pakistani airspace.
Report Advertisement
Pakistan Finally Gets More Falcons
Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the United States intervened against the Taliban—a fundamentalist faction Pakistani intelligence agencies had cultivated to assert Islamabad’s influence in its war-torn neighbor. Seeking to wheedle half-hearted cooperation from Pakistan, in 2006 the Bush administration finally authorized the “Peace Drive” deal (“Peace Gate” having become poisonous brand) in which the United States handed over twenty-three remaining Peace Gate F-16As and Bs, and sold nineteen far more capable F-16Cs and D Block 52s.
Report Advertisement
The $5.1 billion deal also involved modernizing Pakistan’s by-then dated F-16A and Bs with the F-16AM/BM “Mid-Life Update.” This involved stripping down and repairing the aging air frames, replacing hundreds of wiring harnesses, exchanging old monochrome cockpit displays with color multi-function displays, and installing wide-angle HUDs and a new modular, digital flight computers which added support for laser and GPS-guided bombs.
Furthermore, an improved APG-66V2 doppler radar allowed the F-16AMs to employ beyond-visual-range AIM-120C-5 air-to-air missiles with a maximum range of sixty-five miles. 600 of the radar-guided fire-and-forget missiles were also sold. Pakistan also acquired DB-110 electro-optical reconnaissance pods capable of scanning 10,000 miles of terrain per hour.
Report Advertisement
As the Taliban forces expanded across Pakistan’s Swat Valley and Waziristan province, the Pakistani military finally counterattacked in 2009. PAF F-16s flew hundreds of combat missions through 2011, first using DB-110 pods to identify camouflaged Taliban positions, then destroying them with laser-guided 500 and 2,000-pound bombs.
Islamabad’s thirst for the agile jets was not yet sated. In 2013, it purchased nine more F-16As and four F-16Bs directly from Jordan.
Today, Pakistan operates around sixty-six F-16A/Bs and nineteen F-16C/Ds in four active squadrons, including No. 9 Griffins multi-role squadron in Sargodha, the No. 19 Sherdills training and air defense squadron at Thatta, and the No. 11 Arrows multi-role squadron based at Shahbaz near Jacobabad. The last base also hosts No. 5 Falcons multi-role squadron, the only F-16C/D unit.
Besides the F-16A downed by friendly fire, Pakistan has lostsix F-16As and two F-16Bs in accidents. In addition to bird strikes, engine failures, and pilot disorientation, one F-16B was consumed by fire after a collision with a wild boarduring takeoff caused the nose gear to collapse!
India’s recovery of AIM-120C-5 missile fragments after the air battle on February 27 provides convincing evidence that Pakistani F-16s scored their first kill since 1990. However, India also claims an F-16 was downed by a MiG-21 using an R-73 missile. The PAF denies the claim, though its candor about F-16 involvement is suspect, while Indian media has also circulated demonstrably false “proof of an F-16 loss. The only evidence of an F-16 loss was a Pakistani ground observer who claimed seeing two jets, not one, shot down.
The mere possibility that a Falcon was downed by a 1950s-era MiG-21 should not be over-interpreted. India’s MiG-21 Bisons, though outdated, feature upgraded radars, data-links, self-defense jammers, and agile heat-seeking R-73 missiles targeted with a helmet-mounted sight. The airframe has always had a smallish radar cross-section, is Mach 2 capable, and performed well in exercises against U.S. F-15s and F-16s !
While an F-16 is superior in many respects, particularly situational awareness, an R-73-armed MiG-21 that managed to close within visual range (as ostensibly occurred) would still pose a formidable threat.
In any case, the recent aerial skirmish highlights the important capabilities F-16s continue to provide Pakistan’s military, and the continuing tensions that may evoke as Pakistan aligns itself more with China, and the United States with India. Ironically, just days before the recent skirmish, F-16 manufacturer Lockheed launched a new pitch to move F-16 production to India for a heavily modernized spinoff dubbed the F-21 .
Sébastien Roblin holds a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a university instructor for the Peace Corps in China. He has also worked in education, editing, and refugee resettlement in France and the United States. He currently writes on security and military history for War Is Boring.
Cuirassier
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One basic misunderstanding is that only F16s were involved. PAF used three types of a/c in the confrontation.
The Mirages to deliver the strike package, the JF-17 CAP to provide WVR cover, and the F16 CAP to provide BVR cover.
While an F16 fired a BVR missile, this doesn't mean it shot down the MiG-21 Bison, as it was dealt with by the JF-17 CAP. Indians claim using R-73 short range missile to shoot down an F16 who shot it down with a BVRM, this doesn't make sense, as had the F16 encountered the MiG-21 Bison at WVR, it would've used a Sidewinder rather than an AIM120.
End case is that the Bison was shot down by a JF17, not the F16.
The Mirages to deliver the strike package, the JF-17 CAP to provide WVR cover, and the F16 CAP to provide BVR cover.
While an F16 fired a BVR missile, this doesn't mean it shot down the MiG-21 Bison, as it was dealt with by the JF-17 CAP. Indians claim using R-73 short range missile to shoot down an F16 who shot it down with a BVRM, this doesn't make sense, as had the F16 encountered the MiG-21 Bison at WVR, it would've used a Sidewinder rather than an AIM120.
End case is that the Bison was shot down by a JF17, not the F16.
Trailer23
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Exactly..., the F-16 shot down the Su-30MKi
.Look, I may be one of the few 'fanboys' who still has a Long, Controversial Love Affair with the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
I've said it before that when I was a kid, my dream fighter jet was the F-16. Now, 40, and my dream jet is still the F-16. Others may have the figures and data - but i'll stick to my opinion.
Pied Piper
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I was under the impression that it was JF-17 Thunders that made both kills.. MIG-21 Bison and a Su-30 MKI?
OCguy
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No.
Pied Piper
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https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/art...efeated-after-dogfight-with-indian-air-force/
BREAKING NEWS
Breaking: Russian Air Force unleashes massive assault across Idlib
US spending $250 million to build border security force in Syria
Netanyahu hints at secret relations with 6 Arab nations
Syrian Army recovers stolen artifacts from rebel bases in rural Damascus (video)
Algeria: Students, judges continue protests despite Bouteflika’s withdrawal
HTS accuses Syrian, Russian spies of targeting their leaders in Idlib
Iran threatens to ‘respond’ to Israeli naval blockade of their oil sales
Protesters clash with Venezuelan police in Caracas (video)
Breaking: Militants launch first attack on Latakia city this year
Turkish military sends new convoy to northwestern Syria
Houthi forces claim Saudi Coalition suffered 100+ casualties in failed border offensive
Syrian Army attacks Idlib city for first time this year
ISIS leader ‘photographed’ in US armored vehicle: Turkish media
Russian jets stalk jihadist positions in Idlib as offensive looms
Israel claims new Hezbollah network along Syrian border
Home World News
Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jet remains undefeated after dogfight with Indian Air Force
By
News Desk
-
2019-03-08
46
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:45 P.M.) – On February 27th, the Pakistani and Indian air forces met above Kashmir to engage in a fierce dogfight that would only last for a short period of time.
The Pakistani Air Force was able to shoot down two Indian warplanes, killing one pilot and capturing the other in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir region.
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“IAF crossed LOC [Line of Control]. PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace,” Pakistan’s military spokesman said shortly after the dogfight.
“One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K [Azad Kashmir] while other fell inside IOK [Indian-occupied Kashmir]. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on the ground while two in the area,” they added.
India later confirmed that one of its jets was shot down by the Pakistani Air Force, adding that they also downed a PAF F-16 during the engagement.
“The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action,” the Indian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
However, Pakistan has since denied the Indian Air Force’s claims, pointing out that they did not use an F-16, but rather, their domestically-made JF-17 fighter jets.
“Proud to announce, I was project director for JF-17 Thunder program jointly produced by Pakistan and China during the tenure of General Pervez Musharraf,” retired PAF Air Marshall Shahid Latif said in a statement on social media today.
“Today, same jets targeted and shot down Indian Jets which entered Pakistani Airspace,” he added.
ALSO READ Russia is seeking to prevent military intervention in Venezuela: official
The JF-17 ultimately proved itself during the fierce battle over Kashmir, as these jets were reportedly responsible for the downing of the two Indian MiG warplanes.
This domestically-made jet was previously developed to replace the Pakistani Air Force’s Dassault Mirage III/5 fighter planes.
As of now, the Pakistani Air Force is expected to induct another 150 JF-17 jets over the next three years, as they continue to replace the old planes in their arsenal.
JF-17, not F-16, used in air combat: report
ANWAR IQBAL
WASHINGTON: Apparently, it was a JF-17 fighter jet that brought down an Indian warplane in Azad Jammu and Kashmir last week, says a CNN report as an American diplomat said Washington wanted to know if Pakistan used a US-built F-16 jet to shoot the plane.
The JF-17 is a Chinese-designed fighter jet produced jointly by Pakistan and China.
“It may have been one of those jets that on Wednesday downed an Indian Air Force fighter plane, leading to the capture by Pakistan of an Indian pilot” Abhinandan Varthaman, said the CNN report released this weekend. The report also noted that the Indian jet was a MiG-21, a Soviet-designed aircraft, which has been in service since the 1960s. The MiG-21 “forms the backbone” of the Indian Air Force, which has about 200 of those in its inventory.
Nishank Motwani, a visiting fellow at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, Acton, Australia, told CNN that Indian pilots called the plane “a flying coffin” because it had been involved in multiple accidents.
“And that illustrates a problem for India. While it has a massive military budget, a significant chunk of that goes toward maintenance of existing equipment, and salaries,” the report added.
The report included a quote from a recent inquiry by an Indian parliament committee, saying: “Modernisation gets a mere 14 per cent (of allocated funds), which is grossly inadequate.”
A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Islamabad told the Reuters news agency on Sunday that the United States was “seeking information” on whether Pakistan used US-built F-16 jets to down the Indian warplane, which may violate the F-16 sale agreements between Washington and Islamabad.
Pakistan said it did not use F-16s in shooting down the Indian fighter jet when it crossed the Line of Control. Islamabad also said that this was an act of self-defence.
“We are aware of these reports and are seeking more information,” the US Embassy spokesperson said. “We take all allegations of misuse of defence articles very seriously.”
The US often inserts restrictions on how its exported military hardware can be used through so-called end-user agreements.
India claimed that AIM-120C-5 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile had been fired recently, showing that F-16 Viper fighter jets were “at least involved” in recent strikes in the region. Pakistan rejected the Indian claim as completely baseless. India also claimed that it shot down one of the Vipers.
Pakistan rejected this claim as well, saying that since it had not used any F-16 jets, the question of one being shot down did not arise.
Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2019
BREAKING NEWS
Breaking: Russian Air Force unleashes massive assault across Idlib
US spending $250 million to build border security force in Syria
Netanyahu hints at secret relations with 6 Arab nations
Syrian Army recovers stolen artifacts from rebel bases in rural Damascus (video)
Algeria: Students, judges continue protests despite Bouteflika’s withdrawal
HTS accuses Syrian, Russian spies of targeting their leaders in Idlib
Iran threatens to ‘respond’ to Israeli naval blockade of their oil sales
Protesters clash with Venezuelan police in Caracas (video)
Breaking: Militants launch first attack on Latakia city this year
Turkish military sends new convoy to northwestern Syria
Houthi forces claim Saudi Coalition suffered 100+ casualties in failed border offensive
Syrian Army attacks Idlib city for first time this year
ISIS leader ‘photographed’ in US armored vehicle: Turkish media
Russian jets stalk jihadist positions in Idlib as offensive looms
Israel claims new Hezbollah network along Syrian border
Home World News
Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jet remains undefeated after dogfight with Indian Air Force
By
News Desk
-
2019-03-08
46
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:45 P.M.) – On February 27th, the Pakistani and Indian air forces met above Kashmir to engage in a fierce dogfight that would only last for a short period of time.
The Pakistani Air Force was able to shoot down two Indian warplanes, killing one pilot and capturing the other in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir region.
Let Us Help Generate Extra Income w/ Crypto Trading. Do It w/ Bloomberg's Guru
Ext Investment
Ads by Revcontent
Find Out More >
“IAF crossed LOC [Line of Control]. PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace,” Pakistan’s military spokesman said shortly after the dogfight.
“One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K [Azad Kashmir] while other fell inside IOK [Indian-occupied Kashmir]. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on the ground while two in the area,” they added.
India later confirmed that one of its jets was shot down by the Pakistani Air Force, adding that they also downed a PAF F-16 during the engagement.
“The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action,” the Indian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
However, Pakistan has since denied the Indian Air Force’s claims, pointing out that they did not use an F-16, but rather, their domestically-made JF-17 fighter jets.
“Proud to announce, I was project director for JF-17 Thunder program jointly produced by Pakistan and China during the tenure of General Pervez Musharraf,” retired PAF Air Marshall Shahid Latif said in a statement on social media today.
“Today, same jets targeted and shot down Indian Jets which entered Pakistani Airspace,” he added.
ALSO READ Russia is seeking to prevent military intervention in Venezuela: official
The JF-17 ultimately proved itself during the fierce battle over Kashmir, as these jets were reportedly responsible for the downing of the two Indian MiG warplanes.
This domestically-made jet was previously developed to replace the Pakistani Air Force’s Dassault Mirage III/5 fighter planes.
As of now, the Pakistani Air Force is expected to induct another 150 JF-17 jets over the next three years, as they continue to replace the old planes in their arsenal.
JF-17, not F-16, used in air combat: report
ANWAR IQBAL
WASHINGTON: Apparently, it was a JF-17 fighter jet that brought down an Indian warplane in Azad Jammu and Kashmir last week, says a CNN report as an American diplomat said Washington wanted to know if Pakistan used a US-built F-16 jet to shoot the plane.
The JF-17 is a Chinese-designed fighter jet produced jointly by Pakistan and China.
“It may have been one of those jets that on Wednesday downed an Indian Air Force fighter plane, leading to the capture by Pakistan of an Indian pilot” Abhinandan Varthaman, said the CNN report released this weekend. The report also noted that the Indian jet was a MiG-21, a Soviet-designed aircraft, which has been in service since the 1960s. The MiG-21 “forms the backbone” of the Indian Air Force, which has about 200 of those in its inventory.
Nishank Motwani, a visiting fellow at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, Acton, Australia, told CNN that Indian pilots called the plane “a flying coffin” because it had been involved in multiple accidents.
“And that illustrates a problem for India. While it has a massive military budget, a significant chunk of that goes toward maintenance of existing equipment, and salaries,” the report added.
The report included a quote from a recent inquiry by an Indian parliament committee, saying: “Modernisation gets a mere 14 per cent (of allocated funds), which is grossly inadequate.”
A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Islamabad told the Reuters news agency on Sunday that the United States was “seeking information” on whether Pakistan used US-built F-16 jets to down the Indian warplane, which may violate the F-16 sale agreements between Washington and Islamabad.
Pakistan said it did not use F-16s in shooting down the Indian fighter jet when it crossed the Line of Control. Islamabad also said that this was an act of self-defence.
“We are aware of these reports and are seeking more information,” the US Embassy spokesperson said. “We take all allegations of misuse of defence articles very seriously.”
The US often inserts restrictions on how its exported military hardware can be used through so-called end-user agreements.
India claimed that AIM-120C-5 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile had been fired recently, showing that F-16 Viper fighter jets were “at least involved” in recent strikes in the region. Pakistan rejected the Indian claim as completely baseless. India also claimed that it shot down one of the Vipers.
Pakistan rejected this claim as well, saying that since it had not used any F-16 jets, the question of one being shot down did not arise.
Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2019
OCguy
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There were two, one was absolutely a F-16.
BHarwana
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If people come here every day and ask what shot Indian jet down the reply would be same it was not an F-16.
Safriz
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Indians in their over confidence did not fly with jamming pods...
Path-Finder
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You have denied them the rhetoric by preemptive sir ji kal.
OCguy
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1 and 1 will always be the correct answer. Either way, it is a technicality, PAF was 2-0.
maximuswarrior
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100%. PAF and other officials have confirmed this.
There was no F-16 involved. The kills can be attributed to JF-17.
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