PAF to induct 188 JF-17 aircrafts including 26 JF-17B & 50 JF-17 Blk3

[RangeMaster]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1133305450517139457

 

[Lone Ranger]

PAKISTAN AIR FORCE CAS OUTLINES NEXT PROCUREMENT STEPS

In an interview with IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Mujahid Anwar Khan, laid-out the PAF’s upcoming procurement plans.These center on the procurement of additional JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighters alongside a new lead-in-fighter trainer (LIFT) as well as defining the PAF’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) program.

First, the PAF is in the process of concluding the JF-17 Block-II program, with the last three aircraft (out of an order of 62) slated for June 2019. Second, for the forthcoming JF-17 Block-III, the PAF will choose one of two active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars: the KLJ-7A by the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) or the LKF601E by Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI).

The PAF is aiming to induct the AESA radar-equipped JF-17 by March 2020.

Originally, the PAF opted to procure 150 JF-17s split across three equally sized tranches (i.e., Block-I, Block-II, and Block-III). However, to keep Pakistan Aeronautical Complex’s (PAC) production line warm, the PAF added 12 Block-IIs to its order. Now as per the CAS’ most recent statements, the PAF will also add 26 twin-seat JF-17Bs to its fleet, thus bringing the JF-17 roadmap to 188 fighters.

Having first flown in April 2017, the JF-17B was not only intended as the twin-seat training variant of the JF-17, but it was also the basis of the JF-17 Block-III. It introduced a new three-axis fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system (replacing the hybrid FBW of prior variants) and purportedly longer wingspan.

However, the primary goal of the JF-17B was to meet the needs of certain overseas users, while the PAF was satisfied with using simulators. It now appears that the PAF has pivoted to backing the JF-17B as well. It is likely that the PAF will configure these aircraft along identical lines to the JF-17 Block-III. Thus, the PAF will induct 76 new AESA radar-equipped JF-17s, and it may add more in lieu of an interim off-the-shelf jet.

It is unclear why the PAF is procuring the JF-17B. The CAS stated that the objective was to train new pilots “without first putting them through the F-16, Mirage or F-7P/PG as they are now.” On first glance, one might take it as a sign that the PAF will use the JF-17B for LIFT or as a Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU). However, in the same interview, the CAS listed the LIFT as a separate requirement.

source: https://quwa.org/2019/05/26/pakistan-air-force-cas-outlines-next-procurement-steps-2/


26 JF17Bs???

 

[Jinn Baba]

What benefit is there to inducting the Bs other than as trainers? Will they act as dedicated jammer or strike platforms?

 

[war&peace]

Wow good news especially the 26 JF17B's

and I remembers one "insider" (won't mention his name) was suggesting PAF won't get any JF17Bs since we don't need dual seaters.

 

[RangeMaster]

What benefit is there to inducting the Bs other than as trainers? Will they act as dedicated jammer or strike platforms?

 

[Lone Ranger]

@Khafee @MastanKhan @Quwa @Bilal Khan 777 @Deino @Dazzler @Zarvan @The Eagle @The Deterrent @fatman17 @Horus @Imran Khan @Irfan Baloch @Rashid Mahmood @Signalian

 

[Aryeih Leib]

Why do I feel that I know to whom you are referring to

Wow good news especially the 26 JF17B's

and I remembers one so called "insider" (won't mention his name) was suggesting PAF won't get any JF17Bs since we don't need dual seaters.

 

[Aryeih Leib]

Sir I think it can be used as a test bed project azm

What benefit is there to inducting the Bs other than as trainers? Will they act as dedicated jammer or strike platforms?

 

[RangeMaster]

NRIET KLJ-7A

KLJ-7A has a range of 170 km against aerial target with 3m² RCS (radar cross-section) or 200 km against aerial target with 5m² RCS. It can track 15 targets and engage four simultaneously
VS
LKF 601E

LKF 601E uses a 3GHz bandwidth at the X-band, provides detection of fighter-sized targets at 170 km, tracks up to 15 targets simultaneously and engages four with air/air missiles. The radar also supports air/ground modes, with one-meter SAR resolution and terrain mapping at 300 km. Searching targets at sea, the radar can detect large targets from 200 km.

 

[Imran Khan]

Araam se pardhta hoon

 

[litman]

188 JFTs are not enough to replace all of our mirage and F-7s. i am sure PAF will go for more JFTs as we wot get any new FGFA any time soon and induction of more JFTs will be our only option.

 

[Maxpane]

2 different jet for LIFT ? why is that?

 

[RangeMaster]

188 JFTs are not enough to replace all of our mirage and F-7s. i am sure PAF will go for more JFTs as we wot get any new FGFA any time soon and induction of more JFTs will be our only option.

So PAF will be relying on JF 17, No plans of inducting new platforms like EF or J10s to fill the gap until FGFA?

 

[Reichsmarschall]

will they upgrade Blk 1 and 2s to Blk 3 standard?

 

[RangeMaster]

will they upgrade Blk 1 and 2s to Blk 3 standard?

I think they won't. Aren't blk 1 already upgraded to blk 2?