How many countries are still flying JH-7, F-111, Su-24, Jaguars or Tornado? Better still, ask the question that how many countries are buying new uni-role aircraft of this nature? When was the last fighter for a role like that developed? Its easy enough to gather empirical evidence of an outdated concept being passed over by most every country in the world now. The air forces still operating these legacy aircraft are doing so for fiscal reasons only as no one retires prematurely aircraft with life still left in them (unless downsizing) or are countries that can't afford to buy replacement due to geo-political issues (like Syria, Iran). Yet you guys want Pakistan to spend its meager resources on an obsolete POS and have it stuck with for the next 30 years? Wow
@MastanKhan ... you don't miss any chance to bash the short-sighted PAF while showing such lousy foresight.
So JF-17 is short-legged? Fine, then buy a larger multirole aircraft like the Su-27 series, F-15, or EF Typhoon/Rafale. But realistically speaking, even mid-sized jets like the M2000, F-16, Mig-29s etc have more than enough range in the context of Pakistan vs India. If you just want endurance for CAPs or patrols, well similar sized jets can manage just fine with A-A refueling.
It doesn't mean you buy an outdated airplane just because it can carry enough fuel but is a dud otherwise. And giving B-52 as an example is not just applicable in the context of a fighter, it shows how little time you have actually spent thinking about this or are trying to mislead on purpose.
And this range issue is being brought up so much, as if the short range (comparatively) of the JF-17 is somehow PAF's Achilles heel. For the targets and bases that will be of most detriment for Pakistan, they are all located close enough for the border that even F-86s were able to make it there and back.
http://www.indiandefencereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Defence-Map-of-India.jpg
With today's advantage of having longer range precision weaponry, I don't see how anyone can imagine "deep strikes" by PAF in any scenario beyond IAF forward operating bases and airfields close to the border. Unless you envision thinking of sending them on one-way suicide missions without top cover of course in a heavily monitored and well defended air space...
The only context I can see PAF operating aircraft with longer legs than afforded by F-16s is in the maritime role and in that too, A-A refueling can play a crucial role to compensate for patrols. Otherwise buy a twin-engine aircraft like the Su-35/F-15C/Typhoon that is capable for longer patrols, maritime strikes, and every other role PAF uses its other multirole aircraft and call it a day.