PAF speeds up fighter force modernisation with JF-17 Block III- Gulf News

[TheSolution]

all those still wondering whether we are getting J10c or not. 25 J10cs have been operational with the Paf since last year with the first one inducted in the beginning of 2021. So stop putting so much stress on your minds.

Source?

 

[arjunk]

I have been here for 16 years

It's been 16 years since 2006?

 

[Zarvan]

SPECIAL REPORT
Pakistan Air Force speeds up fighter force modernisation with JF-17 Block III
JF-17 Block III, J-10 induction to bolster country’s air power, meet future requirements

Published: January 16, 2022 08:56 Sana Jamal, Correspondent

Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder flying over Nanga Parbat mountain.Image Credit: PAF Hamid Faraz

Islamabad: The year 2022 will be the most significant for Pakistan Air Force as it is set to replace its ageing fleet and modernise its fighter force to maintain superiority in air combat.
The most anticipated news is the rollout of JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets built at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra, which will become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fleet. The rollout ceremony of Block III was held in December and the first of the 50 jets will officially join PAF in early 2022.


Another noteworthy development is the reported induction of the advanced Chengdu J-10C aircraft in the coming months. Experts say that modern and more powerful aircraft would bolster Pakistan’s air power, meet future requirements, and balance power in the region.

The latest PAC Kamra-built JF-17 Block III aircraft rolled out in late December 2021.Image Credit: PSFAero Twitter

JF-17 Block III packs a big punch
JF-17 Thunder is a single-engine, lightweight, multirole combat aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan. PAC Kamra has delivered nearly 120 JF-17 Block I and II fighter jets to the PAF since 2009. “JF-17 fighter jet program is continuing at a startling speed as Pakistan achieved the development to operational capability to the launch of upgraded versions in a short span of 20 years.

The progress has been spectacular as more than 100 aircraft have already joined the PAF,” said retired Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan who is currently serving as President of Islamabad-based Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS). He served for 36 years with the PAF retiring as Vice Chief of Air Staff and also worked as chief project director of the JF-17 program.
Pakistan’s first 4.5-generation aircraft
The Block III variant of JF-17 will be the country’s first 4.5-generation aircraft and most advanced jet equipped with a modern radar system, upgraded sensors, software, and engine to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies. “One of the key features will be the world’s most advanced Airborne Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar” which is the gold standard in modern aircraft, Khan told Gulf News.
Block III will see “massive upgrades in the airframe and systems which will significantly improve the aircraft’s performance and allow it to carry additional armaments.” The new variant of the combat and battle-proven JF-17 fighter jet “will attract international interest as it will be the only aircraft of its type packing advanced features but is also affordable,” he added. Nigeria and Myanmar are the first export customers for the JF-17 while Malaysia, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq have expressed interest.

New batch of dual-seat JF-17 fighter jets joined Pakistan Air Force on December 30, 2020.Image Credit: Supplied
What makes JF-17 Block III versatile?
Pakistan’s JF-17 Block III version is considered to be in the same league as Sweden’s next-generation JAS 39 Gripen NG - both featuring cutting-edge avionics and high performance while maintaining increased levels of operational readiness. Defence analyst Shahid Raza considers the more capable AESA radar one of the major features in Block III. “This radar provides detection of fighter-sized targets at 170 kilometres away, include multimode look-down, shoot-down capability, and can also engage over the horizon threats, making this lightweight aircraft a great asset,” Raza told Gulf News.

Other key features include a wide-angle holographic heads-up display which offers a field of view larger than that of F-16, three-axis fly-by-wire digital flight control system, integrated cockpit with single piece man-machine interface, helmet mounted display (HMD) to take full advantage of the PL-10 imaging infrared-guided (IIR) missile’s high-off boresight (HOBS) abilities as well as electronic warfare suite.
Block III weapon payload
“Block III includes one additional hardpoint, making a total of eight, to carry extra pods, weapons, smart munitions, sensors. It will carry IIR-guided PL-10 HOBS air-to-air missiles which is of the same class as American AIM-9x Sidewinder, French MICA ER and IRIS-T German missiles,” Raza explained.
What makes JF-17 Block III more powerful is the access to the “Extended range beyond-visual-range (BVR) PL-15 missiles with 200 km range, which outranges the American AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).” It can also carry two CM-400AKG anti-ship missiles, laser and GPS guided weapons and cruise missiles.

J-10C aircraft.Image Credit: Chinese media

Is Pakistan acquiring J-10C from China?
Although there is no official confirmation or denial from the air force yet, however, insiders say the country will soon acquire 25 Chengdu J-10 ‘Vigorous Dragon’ multirole fighters. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has announced that J-10C would take part in the Pakistan Day event on March 23, adding that the jets are a “counter to India’s Dassault Rafale jets.”

J-10C to help PAF achieve air dominance
Pakistan has long expressed interest in the advanced J-10 as part of ongoing efforts to replace its ageing fleet of F-7, and Mirages as PAF continues to adapt and modernise warfighting capabilities. If confirmed, the acquisition would mark “a major milestone,” making it the most modern and capable fighter in the Pakistani fleet.
“J-10C is a capable platform with advanced avionics and able to conduct multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, making it a valuable addition to PAF’s inventory. The induction will also help regain the balance of power in the region, which had been adversely affected with the induction of Rafale jets by the Indian Air Force,” said retired Air Marshal Ashfaque Arain, director at CASS.
J-10C - ‘True swing-role aircraft’
Pakistan is expected to buy the latest J-10C model, which has Chinese-built WS-10 engines and features AESA radar and compatibility with extended range PL-15 BVR missiles. The J-10C can help PAF “achieve air dominance and conduct Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD/DEAD) missions to disrupt and destroy adversary air defence systems” said Shahid Raza. “J-10C features a true swing-role capability as it is able to swing between air to air combat, anti-surface and ground attack roles.”
PAF rethinking high-low mix
The news of possible induction of J-10C has prompted debate whether Pakistan requires another advanced jet along with the rollout of the locally developed capable JF-17 Block III fighter jet. Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail, a former pilot who has flown all PAF fighter jets until 2005 when he retired after 30 years of service, explained the reason for acquiring both aircraft.
“There’s a concept in air force called ‘high-low mix’ which means a mix of a smaller number of expensive and extremely capable aircraft (high) along with a large number of cheaper yet lethal fighter jets (low).” The low-cost and lightweight fighter JF-17 “is the workhorse of Pakistan Air Force which we will have in large numbers. But PAF would also require a smaller fleet of high-end fighters like J-10C which is the most capable yet affordable,” he said, citing the example of the US Air Force that considered the F-16 as a low-end aircraft to augment the F-15 air superiority.

J-10C vs Rafale
Many Pakistani commentators including the interior minister have described the J-10 acquisition as a “counter” to the Rafale jets acquired by India. The J-10C is considered Chinese equivalent to the American F-16s but it will be a significant leap for Pakistan, which relies on older F-16s that have not received upgrades. Comparing the J-10C with Dassault Rafale, Tufail said that “Rafale is one of the world’s most advanced non-stealthy fighters.
One of its key features is the next generation Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) weapon called ‘Meteor’ which has an estimated range of over 150 kilometres. J-10C will fill this gap as it boasts the capable AESA radar and long-range PL-15 missiles that can outrange the missile on Rafale,” he said. The “J-10 is currently the best option for PAF in terms of capability and affordability” to modernize its fleet as well as to achieve and maintain air dominance.

Pakistan Air Force speeds up fighter force modernisation with JF-17 Block III

JF-17 Block III, J-10 induction to bolster country’s air power, meet future requirements

gulfnews.com

Let's create a news. Based on chatter which is taking place on twitter and hints I am getting from this forum. I am predicting one more thing or let say one more fighter jet. There is something other then J 10 C in play here also. Which jet I have no clue, but something is going on.


@Tipu7

 

[TheSolution]

Let's create a news. Based on chatter which is taking place on twitter and hints I am getting from this forum. I am predicting one more thing or let say one more fighter jet. There is something other then J 10 C in play here also. Which jet I have no clue, but something is going on.


@Tipu7

Only option I think is the F-16 (there was a rumour one jet will be from the west while another from the east [J-10C] )

Any other jet the costs would probably be too high, and F-16 is the easiest one to add, but relationship with the USA seems odd for them to allow it. They didn't allow the engine for the T-129.

 

[wali87]

Source?

My dear Aap aam khao, guthliyaan na ginno.

 

[Zarvan]

Only option I think is the F-16 (there was a rumour one jet will be from the west while another from the east [J-10C] )

Any other jet the costs would probably be too high, and F-16 is the easiest one to add, but relationship with the USA seems odd for them to allow it. They didn't allow the engine for the T-129.

I don't know what other option it would be. But something other then J-10 C is cooking up

 

[Windjammer]

Hi,

Actually the word is " Chappairr".

I'm quite aware of that but as said before certain Urdu alphabets are missing on my phone so why not give some publicity to BATA.

 

[araz]

Know it all attitude does not pertain to asking questions and seeking answers. It entails making final pronouncements. Apparently, asking questions also causes insecurity. The end result would be more and more people abandoning this forum for stifling even inquisitiveness.

As explained I have asked questions and have had reasonable answers most of the time. Sometimes due to secrecy beyond basic sketch finer info is not available. Persistence in those spheres makes life difficult for the persons who has to answer them. This maybe one of the reasons why queries are not answered. No one is stifling anyone and neither is anyone stopping any one from moving on if they desire to do so.
You need to get that chip off of your shoulder and relax and spend some time. Everything will be fine. Just a bit more patience.
Regards
A

It's been 16 years since 2006?

Bhai main bhuka tha. Agar kuch maheenay kha liye to kya hua. Logg to adha mulk hazam kar gaye. Much ghareeb per he kyon Etaab?

 

[Zarvan]

How are they paying for all this? I thought they were financing most of this equipment but more just keeps on coming

Kinda worried because some, although unreliable, people are claiming sovereign guarantees... but I think they are wary of this already

I know WION, even though it's an Indian propaganda channel, claims Gwadar is used to peddle drugs, could that somehow be true and funding military equipment?

Nothing is compromised. We are master at this game thanks to ALLAH. We know what to do.

 

[TheSolution]

Nothing is compromised. We are master at this game thanks to ALLAH. We know what to do.

I hope you are correct

 

[Tank131]

The one thing people need to be cautious of is equating J-10 and rafale. Electronically, rafale is likely quite a bit superior to J-10 with respect to maturity and capability of its systems. But does thst superiority translate to enough of an advantage to allow India to dominate the field using rafale and its other fighters. I think that while rafale is superior the J-10 makes up enough ground on it to a) be a real threat to it and b) prevent domination of Pakistani air space. Furthermore with a fleet of JF-17 block 2/3 and 71 F-16 IAF will not be in a position to dominate anything, especially with PAFs fleet of AWACs and Falcon EW aircraft in play and HQ-9. The other advantage is that PAF has a significant advantage in air launched stsnd off weapons which puts its ability to hit India while safely covered in Pakistani airspace far ahead of Indias to do the same. J-10 further improves this as it will likely be able to carry RAAD 2 whereas that has always been a question with JF-17.

 

[Scorpiooo]

Only option I think is the F-16 (there was a rumour one jet will be from the west while another from the east [J-10C] )

Any other jet the costs would probably be too high, and F-16 is the easiest one to add, but relationship with the USA seems odd for them to allow it. They didn't allow the engine for the T-129.

American can do anything when they want any solid favour ... EDA F16 with V standard will reduce same useless stock jet and some dollars and offcouse there terms for Afghanistan

 

[FuturePAF]

The one thing people need to be cautious of is equating J-10 and rafale. Electronically, rafale is likely quite a bit superior to J-10 with respect to maturity and capability of its systems. But does thst superiority translate to enough of an advantage to allow India to dominate the field using rafale and its other fighters. I think that while rafale is superior the J-10 makes up enough ground on it to a) be a real threat to it and b) prevent domination of Pakistani air space. Furthermore with a fleet of JF-17 block 2/3 and 71 F-16 IAF will not be in a position to dominate anything, especially with PAFs fleet of AWACs and Falcon EW aircraft in play and HQ-9. The other advantage is that PAF has a significant advantage in air launched stsnd off weapons which puts its ability to hit India while safely covered in Pakistani airspace far ahead of Indias to do the same. J-10 further improves this as it will likely be able to carry RAAD 2 whereas that has always been a question with JF-17.

The J-10 is also interoperable with the PLAAF, so in the event of combat losses, they can be replaced in the way the Israelis were resupplied in the 1973 war.

Secondly, China is still improving the J-10 because it will face modern aircraft all throughout the first island chain, so electronic upgrade are just a few years away, and those can be shared with Pakistan quietly.

The J-10 acquisition (and JF-17 Block 3) also ends the F-16 acquisition saga, so from a psychological point of view, these acquisitions have been major developments, even if they currently lag behind the Rafale in anyway.

 

[Beast]

The one thing people need to be cautious of is equating J-10 and rafale. Electronically, rafale is likely quite a bit superior to J-10 with respect to maturity and capability of its systems. But does thst superiority translate to enough of an advantage to allow India to dominate the field using rafale and its other fighters. I think that while rafale is superior the J-10 makes up enough ground on it to a) be a real threat to it and b) prevent domination of Pakistani air space. Furthermore with a fleet of JF-17 block 2/3 and 71 F-16 IAF will not be in a position to dominate anything, especially with PAFs fleet of AWACs and Falcon EW aircraft in play and HQ-9. The other advantage is that PAF has a significant advantage in air launched stsnd off weapons which puts its ability to hit India while safely covered in Pakistani airspace far ahead of Indias to do the same. J-10 further improves this as it will likely be able to carry RAAD 2 whereas that has always been a question with JF-17.

I strongly disagree. How do you know rafale is much superior electronically than J-10? Purely based on assumption and data of 20 years ago comparison? China is leader in AI and electronic sector currently. Leaving Europe far behind. China even currently fielding a 5th gen fighter which EU struggles to matched.

 

[TNT]

I know WION, even though it's an Indian propaganda channel, claims Gwadar is used to peddle drugs, could that somehow be true and funding military equipment?

That is a cheap and pathetic allegation. Shameful for a Pakistani to even consider any such news real.