I have few answers and few suggestions..........
Pakistan top priority is replace legacy aircrafts with Jf17 and F16s while keeping a few squadron of Top quality aircraft as sharp edge. We are operating couple of SAM systems and searching for more from Russia and South Africa. So clearly by time Rafale arrive they have to face new level of threat from Pakistan in the form of Medium/long range and High altitude SAM systems.
For sea Daniel we are working fine. We cannot beat Indian navy but sure we can gather enough power to defend our Sea shore and avoid naval blockage.
1: Subs with AIP. Got five, working for 8 more to add/replace the existing fleet.
2: Surface vessels, particularly Missile Boasts have important role to play against Surface vessels of Indian army.
3: Air force squadron armed with anti ship missile. Recently we replaced F7P with Jf17 in 2nd squadron. Armed with BVR and C802 antiship missiles, this squadron provide capable punch against IN Mig29 as well as surface vessels. In future we can replace Mirages (Exocet missile) with Jf17 and introduce CM400 AKG for enhanced anti ship role.
4: In the form of ''Azaab Missile'' we are working/deploying on dedicated Coastal defense as last line to defense to avoid any blockage.
(Below Jf7 with C802 & CM400 AKG)
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Yes why not. Work on IFR probe installation is going on, AESA will arive in Blk 3. Enhanced use of Composite in air frame is expensive but offer More strength, lower radar signature and light weigh increasing the performance of aircraft. Better version of RD93 with more thrust along with composite use in frame can increase T/W ratio with prominent margins.
These are the best options available. Produce and improve Jf17 and induct Second hand F16s along with New ones if possible. Second hand F16 with MLU is fast and effective way of replacing old air craft with capable platform.
One thing is worth considering that we need appropriate upgrade for our both Jf17 and F16. Our Jf17 need better targeting pod, I do wish for Asalpod as it offer us Stand off and precise strike capabilities at appropriate cost and in a effective way. More over there is need of Installing IFR probe ASAP, as we need to free two hard points from Drop tanks inorder to carry more air to ground munitions. I don't know ECM capabilities of Jf17, but we need to keep an eye on international market and if necessary integrate ECM pod on external hard point depending upon mission requirement.
AselPod
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F16 lack two important attributes. They need High Bore Offsight Missile (HBOS : AIM9X) from USA for better WVR air to air engagements. Also they lack Infra Red Search and Track ability. Something which IAF Mig29, Su30 have and Rafale will have. We cannot integrate IRST in airr frame now, but do carry it in the from of pod at external hard point. Tiger Eye system allow you to carry both Targeting pod and IRST pod at same hard point! Some thing we should try to get from USA.
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We already have and we will have some capable SAM systems in near future. We are looking in markets from China, Italy, Russia, Turkey and South Africa for required modern SAM systems. As per rumor, Hq9 already exist in our arsenal but if it is not, then it is worth considering that we can follow Hq9 from China when ever we want.
As per 4++ Generation air craft, we do need one with long range and heavy payload. Discussion regarding Su35S is on its way with Russia (initial stages). But it may or may not happen. Two squadron of Su35S will be a big boast in our capabilities of deep strike. Moreover inducttion of Su35 will open doors for more Russian tech like weapon stations for PAF.
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You wait, and you are dead. Its requirement of now and we cannot take ''risk'' of waiting as war never come with warning. We should pursue 4++ Platform (Su35) before even thinking about J31. J31 is long way to go and I seriously doubt that it will be able to qualify as 5th Generation aircraft. India progress in FGFA will decide how early we need a stealth platform in our airforce. Until then, focus on what we have and what we can have in near future with out waiting taking risk for waiting what is in distinct future.
Indians can answer better (senior members of course)
Pakistan is increasing its budget and spending in Defense. General Raheel is conducting meeting with Ishaq Dar time to time for major increment in defense budget as we are lagging behind in many key areas which are needed to be filled as soon as possible. So hope for bit economic support for PAF too.
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And yes replacement of 190 aircraft is achievable or atleast close to it. Do consider the fact that among those 190 aircraft 16 are already replaced when F7P of Minhas Squadron was replaced with Jf17. F7PG and Mirage Rose will be replaced after 2019 by Block III. So right now as we speak, there are roughly 150 aircraft awaiting replacement by end of 2019.
We are increasing production rate of Jf17 to 24 per aircraft per year and by 2019 we will add another 125 (approximate). If we add two more squadrons of F16 (New/surplus) to achieve target of 110 F16 aircrafts then we can successfully replace huge bunch of legacy fighters. Even without any 4++ Generation aircraft, PAF will become very capable force.
Say NO to J10 or J10b/c.
That aircraft offer little edge over Jf17 and after replacing legacy fighters we can upgrade our Thunder fleet with modern western avionics by which Jf17 can SURPASS J10 in most fields. So no need for J10 as long as Jf17 production and upgradation is going on in smooth and balanced way.
Do note that J10 will be deployed in PAF only in case of Conflict with India as a short time ability boasters. Just like we saw in case of F5 back in 1971. In normal conditions, this aircraft is now highly unlikely to find its way into PAF.
If France and India finalize deal of 36 Rafales then say bye bye to any French sub system in Future for PAF. Although doors for Subsystems from China, South Africa, Turkey, Brazil, Italy, Sweden and Spain will remain open. Its not dead end for PAF.
Rafales offer many new things to Indian Air force which even Mig29K and Su30MKI don't or can't.
1: AESA radar.
2: Very low RCS
3: A wide array of French avionics and weapon package for existing IAF fighters
4: Very Long range with 3 drop tanks
5: Multiwarhead BVR capability
6: Advance ECM capabilities.
Those 36 Rafales if used properly can become bigger threat than 220 Su30MKI. It is an aircraft slightly bigger than M2K but payload equal to that of Su30 MKI.
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In case of war, Air crafts are sitting ducks when they are on ground. As enemy always try to hit your air bases and forward operating bases. Short loiter time (IFR absence) mean that aircraft have to land again and again when ever its tanks dry from fuel. With Higher loiter time ( IFR ability) aircraft can remain in air for long time with weapon stations and stay on ''stand by'' for mission instructions, can tarvel more distance and deliver more punch (IFR & CFT free hard points for carrying more weapons/pods instead of drop tanks). So in war, Loiter time is key role as it also reduces the time of reaction against any aggression.
Answers to what? Indian Air force and Navy? Of course yes.
With bigger ships (Destroyers) you can carry advance long range anti air- anti ship and anti sub systems in Sea away from main land and act as first line of defense with AWACS, Anti Ship Jets and Anti Submarine helicopter can carry out required surveillance.Destroyers can be protected by Light frigates and Sub take role of first offense and can filter any threat coming towards your surface vessel fleet.
Long range-High altitude SAM systems provide you more and better cover from Aerial threats, from jets to cruise missiles and you can move your Sea assets in sea as well as Armored divisions on land under their cover, ruling out any threat of Air force. Presence of Mobile Medium Range SAM systems in armored division can provide you protection from enemy air force even at stand off distance.
Cruise missile are meant to hit those targets which are out of scope of your air force, Pakistan has Land based Cruise missile system (Babur) , working on integration of aerial cruise missiles (RAAD) have Shore based anti ship cruise missile and developing Sub based (nuclear role) as well as ship based (anti ship) cruise missile.
So answers are always here , all it need bit more focus, better policies and ofcourse funds to carry out whole this plan and keep power balance in South Asia.
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