PAFAce
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In addition to what MastanKhan has said above (that the need of the hour is multiple operational JF-17 squadrons more than anything else), I would like to add that these squadrons must be made fully BVR capable ASAP. BVR capability will be, in every way, a force multiplier, and the one capability that will be the greatest "shot in the arm" for the Pakistan Air Force. A single squadron, or even a single formation of aircraft, will be able to secure a larger portion of our land with BVR missiles. In addition, we must also diversify our weapon system arsenal, and integrate as many A2A and A2G American, European and Chinese systems as soon as possible.
Considering our current credible threats and requirements, CFTs are of little importance. We share a long border with our greatest conventional enemy, so the distances needed to cover tis small. Also, the enemy that is causing us the most trouble right now is within our borders, so the distances to cover are even smaller. Refueling capability will increase loiter time in any case, and will be an across-all-platforms capability, so this should be our obvious target before CFTs on the JF-17.
Conventional wisdom suggests that an engineer must follow the incremental pattern of accomplishing tasks, where you start small and work towards the big tasks. However, when constrained by time and budget, it is often smartest to go for the task that will give you the greatest amount of return in the shortest amount of time. This is the pattern that the PAF will have to follow now, as we must build our conventional aerial war-fighting potential in the shortest amount of time. For the JF-17, this means that the smartest route to go would be to work "under the hood", so to speak. This includes weapon system integration in the both BVR and WVR domain, multi-sensor integration for night-attack capability, precision delivery, etc., aerial refueling, data-linking with AEW&Cs, etc. Things like added external hardpoints, Conformal Fuel Tanks, newer engine, or any major airframe redesign will offer limited capability for greater investment of resources. It just doesn't make sense for us to go that route right now.
Considering our current credible threats and requirements, CFTs are of little importance. We share a long border with our greatest conventional enemy, so the distances needed to cover tis small. Also, the enemy that is causing us the most trouble right now is within our borders, so the distances to cover are even smaller. Refueling capability will increase loiter time in any case, and will be an across-all-platforms capability, so this should be our obvious target before CFTs on the JF-17.
Conventional wisdom suggests that an engineer must follow the incremental pattern of accomplishing tasks, where you start small and work towards the big tasks. However, when constrained by time and budget, it is often smartest to go for the task that will give you the greatest amount of return in the shortest amount of time. This is the pattern that the PAF will have to follow now, as we must build our conventional aerial war-fighting potential in the shortest amount of time. For the JF-17, this means that the smartest route to go would be to work "under the hood", so to speak. This includes weapon system integration in the both BVR and WVR domain, multi-sensor integration for night-attack capability, precision delivery, etc., aerial refueling, data-linking with AEW&Cs, etc. Things like added external hardpoints, Conformal Fuel Tanks, newer engine, or any major airframe redesign will offer limited capability for greater investment of resources. It just doesn't make sense for us to go that route right now.