F-35 is out budget plane , its waste of money and every 2-3 months it gets grounded by US airforce due to problems its in systems, we should have just opted for Hornets F18 if we had that option considering , Canada and other nations are selling their units off, on avarage asking 1 Billion per plane or something ridiculous figure for 1 fighter jet
Sukhoi-35 is better suited for our NAVY's need , 40-50 Units , we can thus retire our Mirage fleet (70 planes or so) Endurance & Radar coverage and performance in air, from specialization point of view , the plane would be 100% dedicated would help retire Mirage fleet
JF17 Thunder
(150)/ F16 (150) Combination is enough for the Air Defense for Time being.
For F-7PG , ideal replacement would be Gripen with AESA - 50 Units , we retire 90 F-7PG
the new Gripen units would help bring in new Technology , close integration with SAAB erie eye and we can replace older F-7PG
For 1, F-35 (
8 Missile in air), We can get
6 JF17 Thunders (Armed with
42 Missiles in Air).
Specially with JF17 Thunder introducing double seat version & introduction of AESA radar the value of JF17 Thunder rises even further!! for Pakistani Airforce
The problem with its Oxygen sensors and body problems are of great concern , and most folks in USA state that it good fighter in close range battle
IDEAL SCENARIO for Pakistan Air force:
150 JF17 Thunder (Our on going project)
150 F16 C/D (Our on going project) negotiate better radar/spare engines
Off the shelf purchase
- 50 Sukhoi-35 units for NAVY (GWADAR/KARACHI), and coastal areas dedicated focus, retiring 70 Mirage units
- 50 Gripen NG, retiring 70 F-7PG units, only if equipped with AESA
Focus for 2016-2022
Option 1: 6 Year Project with Turkey
Start of Stealth Plane project with Turkey: For 5th Generation plane
Option 2: Off the shelf purchase with China
Off the shelf purchase of J20 , 20 Units for specialized missions