PAF F16-Blk70 possibly coming - TO BE CONFIRMED

[Haris Ali2140]

My 2 cents:

India has released tender for MMRCA 2. Which to my knowledge is for a single engine. Only F-16 and Gripen fall into the category for IAF. Gripen will be sanctioned because US will sell its own product. If IAF chooses F-16 then it will be difficult for PAF to maintain F-16 fleet till 2030-40 as mentioned by some members. Even if we get our hands on some F-16s it will be used B-52s which won't stand a chance against the inventory of IAF in the coming future.

Now besides F-16s only viable options for PAF are Russia and China. US,UK and France won't sell not only because of finances but also for their strategic interests. Russians are notorious for maintenance and they wont be willing to transfer either production or assembly for the numbers which PAF will go.

From China the obvious jet is J10. Many members say that J10 doesn't offer much with respect to JF-17. But it can carry can carry almost 10000 kg's & 9 HPs of armament as compared to 6000 kg's & 7 HPs carried by JF-17 and also has higher range. Since it is going to be the back bone of PLAAF it will be constantly upgraded. Pakistan can get it on easy terms and can persuade Chinese to move production to Pakistan.

As for M3/M5 we have them in 100+ numbers. If finances allow Pakistan should definitely go for cheetah like upgrade. As @denel mentioned that mirages engine can be swapped by RD-93s which is ligher,smaller and has higher thrust. Manufacture spares with help from China. The upgraded Mirages will deliver quite a punch to PAF. They will provide PAF a very potent deep strike platform.

The induction of J-10 and upgrade of mirages will be costly but it will give breathing room to PAF. Because AZM which will be available close to 2040s. The gap is too large and F-16s won't hold that long if IAF decides to induct F-16. We need an immediate solution.

Anyone can give his opinion.

@fatman17 @denel @ziaulislam @Quwa @Thorough Pro @Code_Geass @The Eagle @Karam Ali @Windjammer @MUSTAKSHAF @Signalian @Hodor @Knuckles @messiach@pakistanipower @loanranger

 

[Ultima Thule]

You need a counter to Rafale . Blk 70 provides the solution BUT it is not a long term solution for other problems. So fifth gen fighter procurement is a top priority

What option for 5th gen fighter jet we have, Project AZM wont come until after 2030 (first flight) same goes to Turkish TFX, J-31 currently private project and not funded by PLAAF/PLAAN and for Su-57/F-35 just forget it , we need interim fighter that would be inducted to counter RAFALE untill 5th gen jet will be inducted by PAF, and these options are either we can go for MIG-35 or J-10C @loanranger

 

[ziaulislam]

My 2 cents:

India has released tender for MMRCA 2. Which to my knowledge is for a single engine. Only F-16 and Gripen fall into the category for IAF. Gripen will be sanctioned because US will sell its own product. If IAF chooses F-16 then it will be difficult for PAF to maintain F-16 fleet till 2030-40 as mentioned by some members. Even if we get our hands on some F-16s it will be used B-52s which won't stand a chance against the inventory of IAF in the coming future.

Now besides F-16s only viable options for PAF are Russia and China. US,UK and France won't sell not only because of finances but also for their strategic interests. Russians are notorious for maintenance and they wont be willing to transfer either production or assembly for the numbers which PAF will go.

From China the obvious jet is J10. Many members say that J10 doesn't offer much with respect to JF-17. But it can carry can carry almost 10000 kg's & 9 HPs of armament as compared to 6000 kg's & 7 HPs carried by JF-17 and also has higher range. Since it is going to be the back bone of PLAAF it will be constantly upgraded. Pakistan can get it on easy terms and can persuade Chinese to move production to Pakistan.

As for M3/M5 we have them in 100+ numbers. If finances allow Pakistan should definitely go for cheetah like upgrade. As @denel mentioned that mirages engine can be swapped by RD-93s which is ligher,smaller and has higher thrust. Manufacture spares with help from China. The upgraded Mirages will deliver quite a punch to PAF. They will provide PAF a very potent deep strike platform.

The induction of J-10 and upgrade of mirages will be costly but it will give breathing room to PAF. Because AZM which will be available close to 2040s. The gap is too large and F-16s won't hold that long if IAF decides to induct F-16. We need an immediate solution.

Anyone can give his opinion.

@fatman17 @denel @ziaulislam @Quwa @Thorough Pro @Code_Geass @The Eagle @Karam Ali @Windjammer @MUSTAKSHAF @Signalian @Hodor @Knuckles @messiach@pakistanipower @loanranger

That chapter is closed
IAF will go with more rafales and LCA
No space for gripen or f16

 

[Haris Ali2140]

That chapter is closed
IAF will go with more rafales and LCA
No space for gripen or f16

But they have released a tender. If they were going for Rafale why release the tender???

 

[ziaulislam]

But they have released a tender. If they were going for Rafale why release the tender???

Its RFI not tender

 

[Haris Ali2140]

Its RFI not tender

What is RFI???

 

[baqai]

RFI = Request For Information / Request For Interest this is normally followed by a RFP = Request For Proposals which contains financial and technical feasabilities

 

[Haris Ali2140]

RFI = Request For Information / Request For Interest this is normally followed by a RFP = Request For Proposals which contains financial and technical feasabilities

Feasibility for more Rafales???

 

[loanranger]

What option for 5th gen fighter jet we have, Project AZM wont come until after 2030 (first flight) same goes to Turkish TFX, J-31 currently private project and not funded by PLAAF/PLAAN and for Su-57/F-35 just forget it , we need interim fighter that would be inducted to counter RAFALE untill 5th gen jet will be inducted by PAF, and these options are either we can go for MIG-35 or J-10C @loanranger

I believe we can keep going as we are if we get those block 70s and nuture the JF-17 project and further build on the blk 3. It will buy us time till 2035. But then after 2035 we should have a fifth Gen up and running. Be it indigenous or of the shelf.

 

[MIRauf]

Indian RFI is a ( C... Block, ) a way to incite other countries to seek selling to IAF for multi-Billion $ product vs taking a chance for much smaller scale selling opportunity to PAF, they will hold that carrot up for years to drag it on. Something only US can resist as it knows it product is the best, Pak must do its best to keep open line of Comm with US.

 

[mingle]

Its RFI not tender

Currently they are

Indian RFI is a ( C... Block, ) a way to incite other countries to seek selling to IAF for multi-Billion $ product vs taking a chance for much smaller scale selling opportunity to PAF, they will hold that carrot up for years to drag it on. Something only US can resist as it knows it product is the best, Pak must do its best to keep open line of Comm with US.

My take is instead of extra platform a third type either EU or Russian would cost 3 to 4 billions why not go for F21 made is Pak with 10 to 14 Billion LM can come to Pak with having 200 +++ F16 blk 70 along JF17 blk 3 mirages will cover everything for PAF in mediam term.

 

[Haris Ali2140]

Currently they are

My take is instead of extra platform a third type either EU or Russian would cost 3 to 4 billions why not go for F21 made is Pak with 10 to 14 Billion LM can come to Pak with having 200 +++ F16 blk 70 along JF17 blk 3 mirages will cover everything for PAF in mediam term.

Wont happen.Strategic interests won't allow it.

 

[mingle]

Wont happen.Strategic interests won't allow it.

F16s are the best bet for Pak for many reason. We used them at feb27 no issue from US side having another platform will cost alot of extra money for infrastructure. Same cost we can have great deal.

 

[Haris Ali2140]

F16s are the best bet for Pak for many reason. We used them at feb27 no issue from US side having another platform will cost alot of extra money for infrastructure. Same cost we can have great deal.

We dont know what happened behind closed doors.What is visible is growing relationship between US and India.
Yes I know F16 is the best choice.If Pakistan can get them in this or the next year then good. Otherwise further wait to get F16 will be criminal negligence because the tech gap between IAF and PAF will drastically increase.

 

[The Eagle]

We dont know what happened behind closed doors.What is visible is growing relationship between US and India.
Yes I know F16 is the best choice.If Pakistan can get them in this or the next year then good. Otherwise further wait to get F16 will be criminal negligence because the tech gap between IAF and PAF will drastically increase.

If there is no fruition/done deal, I don't see any wait. PAF is pretty much aware of value of time and strategy.