Tank131
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I'm aware that JF-17 operates under the PAF, however I was under the impression that the NAVY also operates Mirage V with its own (Navy) pilots on PAF Aircrafts.
I was just wondering if the Navy had any intention of acquiring its own JF-17...
I think the pilots and aircraft (mirage V) are PAF but operating in conjunction with/under the command of PN, but they belong to PAF. I don't think PN has any intention at this point of operating fighters but it operates fixed winged props/jets (P-3C, ATRs, Raytheon/BAE hawkers, fokkers ect).
Block III work has been ongoing, and CAC has a lot of experience turning around prototypes modifications quickly. Air Frame Redesigns might be in store If the PAF pushes for it and is willing to pay for the final product at the higher cost. CAC will be happy to do the work.
What work exactly has been done for Blk 3 itself. I would say it is more correct to say that work has been done on blk 3 components (radars, ew suits, ect). Given the fact that final decisions for the various components are yet to be selected or were recently selected, there remains a lot of work to do (fit them into the airframe, marry the sensors to be integrated into a complete and holistic unit so that the various components talk to each other. Then test the new block prototypes amd certify the systems (all this is especially important if a new engine is also selected).
Their could be some airframe changes in the along the lines of the twin seater but semi-stealth is, in my opinion, for blk 3.
Remember that the time between block 2 prototype/production and inductions was nearly 1.5yrs. This is a bigger jump. I expect it to take 2-2.5 years.