JF-17 Thunder Multirole Fighter [Thread 6]

[his5850]

Look's like SU-35 or J-10 deal still on the table

Pakistan is all set buy another ten F-16 fighter planes from Washington after a move to block sale of eight F-16 jets to Pakistan was rejected by the US Senate.

“Pakistan has bought eight F-16 planes, two single seat F-16Cs and six twin-seat F-16Ds, along with some relevant equipment against US$699 million and recently a decision has been reached to buy another ten such planes,” the US based IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly quoted an unnamed military sources as saying.

The official however added that exact time to approach the United States for this purpose is yet to be decided.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) mainly comprises of old mirage planes and F-6 jets, and 190 planes from the PAF fleet need to be retired till 2020.

Now Pakistan desperately needs to induct more fighter planes such as F-16 and JF-17 Thunder in the coming years.

Pakistan, currently, has as many as 76 operational F-16 jets while incoming eight F-16 of C/D type will make it 84. Acquiring another ten F-16s will raise the number to 94.

On the other han,d PAF has also inducted 66 JF-17 Thunder -locally prepared in coordination of China- and hundred more such planes will join the fleet by mid-2018.

This means that Pakistan will approximately need to buy another fifty fighter planes to replace the retiring 190 aircraft in coming four years.

It is also relevant to be mentioned here that Pakistan had recently expressed interest to buy Russian and Chinese aircraft such as Sukhoi Su-35 or Chengdu J-10 in 4th generation category and Shenyang J-31 or Chengdu J-20 in 5th generation category.

 

[fatman17]

April issue AFM

Thunder in Qatar
Alan Warnes reports on another milestone of Pakistan’s indigenous JF-17 Thunder – as it makes a week-long visit to Qatar.

 

[Dr Shaheryar]

JF 17 reaches 100+ ..Wikipedia

 

[RAMPAGE]

April issue AFM

Thunder in Qatar
Alan Warnes reports on another milestone of Pakistan’s indigenous JF-17 Thunder – as it makes a week-long visit to Qatar.

Again?

 

[fatman17]

China and Pakistan Air Forces Launch Joint Training Exercise
The joint training exercise was launched this Saturday and is slated to run until April 30.

By Franz-Stefan Gady for The Diplomat
April 12, 2016

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) kicked off a joint training exercise this weekend, Xinhua news agency reports. The military drill, code-named “Shaheen (Eagle)-5” began on April 9 in Pakistan and is scheduled to run for three weeks until April 30.

“China’s Air Force hopes to widen the scope of cooperation and dialogue with all countries and regions,” the Chinese Ministry of Defense statement said in a statement quoted by Reuters. Neither China nor Pakistan offered additional details on where the exercise is being held or how many aircraft and troops –including combat pilots, air defense controllers, and technical ground crew–will be involved in the next three weeks.

Last year’s installment of the military drill, dubbed Shaheen-4, featured fourth-generation fighter jets and bombers as well as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The PAF alone participated with three different types of frontline fighter aircraft from different squadrons (likely the JF-17 Thunder, Dassault Mirage III/5, and F7 PG fighter aircraft).

The PLAAF and PAF have held regular drills since March 2011 with the first Shaheen exercise held in Pakistan. The second training exercise took place in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in western China in September 2013, the third was held in Punjab, Pakistan, in May 2014.

Speaking to Reuters, the PAF second-in-command, Air-Vice Marshal Muhammad Ashfaque Arain, said that the PAF heavily relies on its fleet of around 70 U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets in its anti-terrorist operations in Pakistan. Whether any F-16 aircraft will participate in the training exercise is unknown. In February, the United States finally approved a possible of eight additional F-16 Block-52 fighters to Pakistan in a deal valued at $699 million.

This Monday, the PAF also inducted 16 upgraded JF-17 Thunder Block II combat aircraft during a handover ceremony in Kamra, also known as Aviation City, the center of aircraft manufacturing in Pakistan. The JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft has been jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (PAC/CAIC) and is meant to replace the PAF’s aging fleet of Dassault Mirage III/5 fighter jets by 2o20.

The chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, said that Pakistan achieved its goal of producing 16 JF-17 Thunder aircraft in 2015 and intends to up the production to 24 jets in 2016. Pakistan is looking to replace 190 aircraft—primarily Chengdu F-7 and Dassault Mirage III/5 fighter jets—by 2020 presumably with a mixture of F-16 and JF-17 aircraft. Pakistan, however, is also allegedly in talks with Russia over the purchase of Su-35 multi-role fighters.

Pakistan Seeks Thales Damocles Targeting Pod For JF-17 Aircraft
Our Bureau
02:42 PM, April 7, 2016

Thales-made Damocles Multifunction Targeting Pod
- A +
Pakistan is assessing the Thales-made Damocles targeting pod to be mounted on its JF-17 aircraft for giving the fighter precision-targeting capability.

Pakistan Air Force deputy chief Muhammad Ashfaque Arain, currently in Paris to discuss the possibility of acquiring the Domacles pod was quoted by Reuters today as saying, “the Damocles is a battle- proven system and the other options are not. If we do not get the Damocles pod for example, then we will need to look for alternate options that may not be proven.”

The JF-17 is a China- Pakistan joint venture manufactured in Pakistan. Arain said that the JF-17 with the Pakistan Air Force had been performing well but its usefulness in current operations was limited because it lacks precision-targeting, a need which would be fulfilled if Thales sold it the Damocles pod.

Arain revealed that 16 JF-17s will be produced this year in Pakistan and a further 20 in 2017. The aircraft are equipped to carry air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and bombs.

The Damocles is a 3rd generation targeting pod, modular, eye-safe laser and a high performance pod. It is currently operated by Malaysia’s Su-30MKM jets, UAE Mirage 2000-9 jet, Saudi’s Tornado and Typhoon aircraft, as well as France’s Rafale and Mirage 2000D jets.

 

[Sulman Badshah]

in Greek Magazine

In Greek magazine

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

Readers must go back a few years---the JF17 was only dedicated for ground strike missions---remember that time---no BVR's---and we were all pis-sing vinegar and mad as hell----.

So what pod did we have---the WMD7----. We know that the paf wants to get the best----but what if they don't-----.

It is all a drama----about the pod----.

 

[Shabi1]

Its a good marketing ploy. JF-17 already has the WMD-7 pod but the Domecles Pod they can say it has the exact same AG capability as the Rafael. Even if not procured in large numbers PAF will be wise to start procuring western systems (ECM, Munictions etc) in small numbers and get them integrated. Plus evaluations after integration will allow fine tuning Chinese systems already in inventory. Will be a huge marketing boost for foreign clients.

 

[Shabi1]

It has WMD-7 pod precision targeting pod and can carry laser guided bombs. Also its participating in anti ground precision bombings.

Just a marketing stunt or bad reporting.

 

[Windjammer]

I will take the word of deputy chief of PAF before some random nobody's(like you) words

Don't be too dis hearted or shall we say, don't mischief yourself, the LGB is displayed with purpose.

 

[Sulman Badshah]

Nishan e Haider as Tail Marking of Squadron num 2

 

[Windjammer]

The bitter reality is when an Indian officials exposes own weakness, fan boys consider it a ploy for more funding or weapons but when some one else makes a statement.....it's the harsh truth....seems an acute case of indigestion to me.

 

[Zarvan]

What PAF Air Marshal said is JF-17 lack good targeting pod and yes we need a good third Generation targeting pod and we would get them either from France or from some where else.

It has precision targeting but due to bad targeting pod it doesn't match F-16 precision strike capability but we would get new third Generation targeting pod really soon.

 

[RAMPAGE]

I really hope that common sense prevails this time and PAF rolls out a true 4+ Generation JF-17 Block 3. Block 3 should not be found wanting in any area when compared to its direct competition, JAS-39 Gripen NG.

Also, This may sound trivial, But PAF needs to pay some attention to the cosmetic aspects of the aircraft. Its looks should not give the impression of a 3rd generation aircraft. Looks play a significant role the pilot-fighter relation. A good looking machine will always increase the confidence of its owner. I remember asking Sir @gambit about the importance of looks a few years ago and receiving a very educating answer. Can't seem to find it but if any of you can, Do post it.

@Khafee @Pakistanisage

Your opinion on the latter part of my post will be very much appreciated.

 

[Paksanity]

I really hope that common sense prevails this time and PAF rolls out a true 4+ Generation JF-17 Block 3. Block 3 should not be found wanting in any area when compared to its direct competition, JAS-39 Gripen NG.

Also, This may sound trivial, But PAF needs to pay some attention to the cosmetic aspects of the aircraft. Its looks should not give the impression of a 3rd generation aircraft. Looks play a significant role the pilot-fighter relation. A good looking machine will always increase the confidence of its owner. I remember asking Sir @gambit about the importance of looks a few years ago and receiving a very educating answer. Can't seem to find it but if any of you can, Do post it.

@Khafee @Pakistanisage

Your opinion on the latter part of my post will be very much appreciated.

If PAF would have tried to get everything installed right at the manufacturing stage, we would still be talking dates of raising first unit. Wrong strategy IMO. When JF-17 was being inducted, three requirements were on priority.

1. Replace legacy aircraft
2. Boost airspace defence through BVR capability
3. Increase maritime defence capability

As you can see this is where PAF has stressed first. Precision strike is a broad term. Any guided weapon is a precision weapon. C-802 is a precision weapon so are LS series bombs. What we are talking here is thermal/ electro-optic acquisition and laser designation / guidance in a targetting pod. This capability was not required immediately as F-16s already had it and they were performing very well. And if it was to be required on urgent basis, WMD Chinese pod could fulfil the requirement. PAF did not see such need and focus remained on first three priorities as I mentioned.

It is only now that PAF is turning it's attention to precision strike capability. Good thing that technology has advanced and meanwhile options have increased as well (e.g. French / European hardware). As is evident by Air Marshal's statement who is visiting France, PAF is now examining these options and logically this will be next capability to be added. PAF is/ should now focusing on following capabilities.

1. Targetting pod integration
2. Air refuelling
3. EW suite integration (DRFM included)
4. Reconnaissance pod integration

As to why not have all these capabilities right from the beginning? Answer lies in my first sentence. Integration and upgradation is a painfully slow process and our resources as well as expertise are limited compared to aviation giants like Lockheed or Dassault. Better to have critical capabilities first than to have none at all.