What's new

K-8 kitted out for counter insurgency

Windjammer

ELITE MEMBER
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
41,319
Reaction score
181
Country
Pakistan
Location
United Kingdom
After qualifying for combat earlier, ideally for point defense armed with a couple of sidewinder types of missiles, the K-8 now seems to be geared up for counter insurgency operations.
This example apart from being equipped with close combat missiles, is also carrying bomblets on under wing stations.



18582000_293314727783029_6670230604121192296_n.jpg
 
. . .
That isn't being fitted for COIN. They will need to configure the K-8 with an EO/IR (w/laser illumination) pod and laser-guided bombs, rockets and missiles. It may need a countermeasures suite (e.g. chaff, flares and DIRCM) as well. This is all possible, no guarantee the PAF would push ahead with it though.
 
. .
That isn't being fitted for COIN. They will need to configure the K-8 with an EO/IR (w/laser illumination) pod and laser-guided bombs, rockets and missiles. It may need a countermeasures suite (e.g. chaff, flares and DIRCM) as well. This is all possible, no guarantee the PAF would push ahead with it though.
We have already seen some variants with gunpods and rockets, and looking at the developments on the Super Mashaq, it shouldn't be too difficult to apply same on K-8.

JiaoLian-8+%2528JL-8%2529+K-8+Karakorum+Light+Attack+Jet+Trainer+Aircraft+rocket+gun+pod+Hongdu+Aviation+Industry+Corporation+%2528HAIC%2529+of+China+Aeronautical+Complex+%2528PAC%2529++Pakistan+Air+Force+%2528PAF%2529+People%2527s+Liberation+Army+Air+Force+%25286%2529.jpg


img_3673-jpg.397860
 
. .
That isn't being fitted for COIN. They will need to configure the K-8 with an EO/IR (w/laser illumination) pod and laser-guided bombs, rockets and missiles. It may need a countermeasures suite (e.g. chaff, flares and DIRCM) as well. This is all possible, no guarantee the PAF would push ahead with it though.

All they need to do is integrate it with Link-17. That should allow firing of REK at least. And if they can turn it into a drone, they can hand it over to the army as their 'personal airforce'.

To the extent possible, the army should be self-sufficient in both defending from aerial targets, and attacking ground targets from the air. That will leave PAF with aiming for air-superiority role, target enemy fighters both in the air and on the ground.
 
.
All they need to do is integrate it with Link-17. That should allow firing of REK at least. And if they can turn it into a drone, they can hand it over to the army as their 'personal airforce'.

To the extent possible, the army should be self-sufficient in both defending from aerial targets, and attacking ground targets from the air. That will leave PAF with aiming for air-superiority role, target enemy fighters both in the air and on the ground.
This is the new concept that air superiority fighters should be used for Ctr Air Operations where as ground attack be left to light combat aircraft. USA is providing Nigeria with propellers planes and in the process of inducting one plane in USAF as well.
 
.
After qualifying for combat earlier, ideally for point defense armed with a couple of sidewinder types of missiles, the K-8 now seems to be geared up for counter insurgency operations.
This example apart from being equipped with close combat missiles, is also carrying bomblets on under wing stations.



View attachment 398439
Nice but not new since Bangladesh already using them, means armed one
bangladesh%2Bair%2Bforce%2Breceived%2BK-8W.JPG
 
.
Nice but not new since Bangladesh already using them, means armed one
bangladesh%2Bair%2Bforce%2Breceived%2BK-8W.JPG
That's a Venezuelan aircraft. :-)
Anyways, the K-8 has been in PAF service since 1994 as a an IJT. It always had the concept as a light attack aircraft however only recently the PAF utilized it's potential, possibly due to experience in WOT.
 
. . . . .
Back
Top Bottom