PAF F-16s Do have the Harpoon capability

[Windjammer]

I have learned from a reliable source that PAF's F-16 units do have the Harpoon capability.

Yes No 5, 9 and 11 all three Squadrons have the capability to carry Harpoon and strike targets 100km's away. Whilst the 8 Sqn 'Haiders' Mirages will be used to defend and protect the coastline with Exocets (30-40km range) the 2 Sqn 'Minhasians' Thunders have the capability, reach, loiter-time and power-punch to strike three-four times as far thanks to C-802 (180km) ensuring our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) is clear and there is no question of any kind of economic blockade like in '71, and this is the game that is going on thanks to CPEC and deployment of F-16s at Bholari AB. 19 Sqn 'Sherdils' are merely there to further strengthen and consolidate the excellent and menacing multi-role offensive capability we now already have. 28 Sqn is actually the CCS Sqn i heard ;-) but will get it confirmed! ''

Furthermore looking through some other details, i have come across the following information. Whilst the Block-52s come with this capability, the earlier models attained the capability of firing the AGM-84 Harpoon during their upgrades.

PAF F-16s will be brought up to blk 52 standard minus 3 things

1. there are no improvements to the Block 15s mission range and loiter time;
2. there are no engine improvements; and,
3. there are no improvements to payload capacity

It has other things that come with blk 52 like APG-68v9 radar, JHMCS, JDAM, AGM-84 Harpoon capability, etc.

 

[Maxpane]

really

 

[Raider 21]

I have learned from a reliable source that PAF's F-16 units do have the Harpoon capability.


Furthermore looking through some other details, i have come across the following information. Whilst the Block-52s come with this capability, the earlier models attained the capability of firing the AGM-84 Harpoon during their upgrades.

PAF F-16s will be brought up to blk 52 standard minus 3 things

1. there are no improvements to the Block 15s mission range and loiter time;
2. there are no engine improvements; and,
3. there are no improvements to payload capacity

It has other things that come with blk 52 like APG-68v9 radar, JHMCS, JDAM, AGM-84 Harpoon capability, etc.

No need for engine improvements....the A/B models still climb faster than the C/D models during scramble. One of the primary reasons why NATO kept their aircraft with the same engine and airframe, albeit with other major internal upgrades (MLU program eventually). Shame that JHMCS helmets are in short number in PAF, will help greatly if every squadron pilot was to have one.

The capability of the Harpoon is great provided if the missiles are in the inventory, other than in the navy's stockpile. Similarly the BVR capability existed way earlier back in the day (1983), before it was ever introduced into PAF service (2010), just the missiles was never acquired.

 

[Windjammer]

No need for engine improvements....the A/B models still climb faster than the C/D models during scramble. One of the primary reasons why NATO kept their aircraft with the same engine and airframe, albeit with other major internal upgrades (MLU program eventually). Shame that JHMCS helmets are in short number in PAF, will help greatly if every squadron pilot was to have one.

The capability of the Harpoon is great provided if the missiles are in the inventory, other than in the navy's stockpile. Similarly the BVR capability existed way earlier back in the day (1983), before it was ever introduced into PAF service (2010), just the missiles was never acquired.

Being lighter than the Block-52, no doubt the A/B version will accelerate away much faster however i did hear that their engine were tweaked during upgrades in Turkey.
I doubt the Harpoon specification are any different to those deployed by PN.
If Pakistan can fit and fire Exocet from Seakings. !!!

 

[Raider 21]

Being lighter than the Block-52, no doubt the A/B version will accelerate away much faster however i did hear that their engine were tweaked during upgrades in Turkey.
I doubt the Harpoon specification are any different to those deployed by PN.
If Pakistan can fit and fire Exocet from Seakings. !!!

The air-launched Harpoon is different than the surface and submarine-launched version. It is different in weight, performance and employment parameters. Plus flight-testing and service integration cannot be done without permission from the manufacturer.....the jet's FBW will not recognise the new weapon right away....just giving out one of the examples. Currently since there is a capability of carrying the missile then that is good for training during SIM mode. It will only become a great asset if the actual air-launched versions of the missile are acquired in the near future. Just my opinion. Cheers !!!

 

[Windjammer]

The air-launched Harpoon is different than the surface and submarine-launched version. It is different in weight, performance and employment parameters. Plus flight-testing and service integration cannot be done without permission from the manufacturer.....the jet's FBW will not recognise the new weapon right away....just giving out one of the examples. Currently since there is a capability of carrying the missile then that is good for training during SIM mode. It will only become a great asset if the actual air-launched versions of the missile are acquired in the near future. Just my opinion. Cheers !!!

Actually the air launched version, AGM-84L has been in PN service for a decade.

https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ahoy-pakistan-requesting-150-harpoon-missiles-02332/

 

[HRK]

It will only become a great asset if the actual air-launched versions of the missile are acquired in the near future.

PN dose have air launched Harpoons (in limited numbers) for their P-3C Orion ... but as you said and as per public knowledge PAF does not have air launched Harpoons and it is a news for many that our F-16 are already configured to carry Harpoons ....

 

[mingle]

Great stuff now we have strike package with Indian task force.

 

[Super Falcon]

Whats new in it we got them in 83 with f 16 blk 15

 

[ziaulislam]

No need for engine improvements....the A/B models still climb faster than the C/D models during scramble. One of the primary reasons why NATO kept their aircraft with the same engine and airframe, albeit with other major internal upgrades (MLU program eventually). Shame that JHMCS helmets are in short number in PAF, will help greatly if every squadron pilot was to have one.

The capability of the Harpoon is great provided if the missiles are in the inventory, other than in the navy's stockpile. Similarly the BVR capability existed way earlier back in the day (1983), before it was ever introduced into PAF service (2010), just the missiles was never acquired.

how does lack of aim 9x factors in..
i mean you have JHMCS but u dont have a good weapon for it

 

[Maarkhoor]

PN dose have air launched Harpoons (in limited numbers) for their P-3C Orion ... but as you said and as per public knowledge PAF does not have air launched Harpoons and it is a news for many that our F-16 are already configured to carry Harpoons ....

PAF F16 do have the capability but not the missiles.

 

[Tank131]

Actually the air launched version, AGM-84L has been in PN service for a decade.

https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ahoy-pakistan-requesting-150-harpoon-missiles-02332/

Exactly

PAF F16 do have the capability but not the missiles.

They have had the missile for decades. PN has been using the P-3C Orions as the platform of delivery for air launched Harpoons.

 

[Raider 21]

how does lack of aim 9x factors in..
i mean you have JHMCS but u dont have a good weapon for it

Helps with air to ground, BVR and better SA during CAS.

 

[Windjammer]

PAF F16 do have the capability but not the missiles.

Ahem Ahem.... there was substantial reason for US to start pulling out it's hairs.

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/1H...-says-Pakistan-modified-Harpoon-missiles.html

 

[Raider 21]

Ahem Ahem.... there was substantial reason for US to start pulling out it's hairs.

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/1H...-says-Pakistan-modified-Harpoon-missiles.html

US confusion on Harpoon missile clarified: Naval Chief
KARACHI: The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, has made it very clear that Pakistan fully honours its international obligations, agreements and contracts.

“We do not violate these as this was our policy and principle in the past as is very much so today”, he said while replying to a question after the inaugural session of a conference held at a local hotel on Monday.

A reporter had asked about the American concerns regarding the alleged up gradation of naval anti-ship missiles.

The Naval Chief said that there was some misunderstanding regarding this which we have clarified.

“There was no such thing”, he remarked adding,”We honour our international obligations, contracts and do not violate these as this has been our principle”.

Admiral Noman Bashir said that misunderstandings sometimes are created inadvertently or at time deliberately.

“These have now been clarified and now there is no such issue”, he added.

https://web.archive.org/web/20091005201507/http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=87764