Pak PM: PAF interrested in L-159 AJT

[TaimiKhan]

Has PAF released any specs or RFI or RFP for an AJT?

Why has an AJT become necessary for PAF? And Why a Western platform?

Sir, there is no confirm news about L-159 being evaluated or tested.

Most probably, the PM said this to make happy the Czech, as this is a very expensive platform and whole deal also.

Better then to make a twin seater JF-17 version for AJT role, compared to hundred of millions spent on this deal.

A JF-17 in AJT role would a more beneficial as in war it can be used in fighting role too.

Even if PAF does for for AJT role, i sense it would be a Chinese version.

 

[Quwa]

Although I am not any airforce expert. But would like to share my thoughts in regards to Mark Sien comments.

a - Wont it be a better idea to do all advance tech training using Simulators and then gradually doing them on the JF-17s themselves. Majority of the new tasks are related to shairing data with other plateforms. using HMD, Why to learn all this 5km up in the sky, when you can perfectly learn the same in a sim.

b - Instead of investing heavily into L-159 for localisation etc. Why not go for a more advanced local version of K-8 .. or even better work on a two seater JF-17 since it will be the working horse. Last 2 options would be more promising for us.

Regarding the first point, I think the end fact remains that a level of training will still need to occur in the air. That said, the need of a LIFT platform is to familiarize pilots with general knowledge and good practical experience before they move on to learning more sophisticated systems. A LIFT aircraft is essentially a bridge between intermediate jet training and conversion to specific fighters.

I think the problem with starting out with a twin seat JF-17 is the concern that such a platform might still be too advanced for new pilots. These might play a part in JF-17-conversion, or even delegated to more specialized tasks such as strike and EW. As for K-8...I wonder what drove the Chinese to fund development of new aircraft as opposed to simply working on K-8? And what about the fact that K-8 production within Pakistan has ended?

Most likely PAF will end up with L-15 down the line...

However, defense analyst Usman Shabbir of the Pakistan Military Consortium believes the interest in the L-15 is understandable.

The K-8 had been examined by the Air Force as a possible replacement for the current FT-5, a Chinese-made twin-seat MiG-17 Fresco, in the fighter conversion role when it first entered service in the early 1990s, he said. Pakistan also uses a small number of FT-6 trainers, a Chinese-made two-seat Mig-19 Farmer.

However, the Air Force "most likely felt that a dedicated aircraft purpose-built would be a better option," he said. The 1990s were also a time of considerable financial hardship for Pakistan, so the FT-5 therefore continued in service.

Shabbir further stated, "Now that the availability of an affordable and dedicated aircraft from China is assured, it probably led to the decision to go for the type in preparation for the future high-tech jets such as FC-20 andF-16C/D training requirements."

Pakistan Eyes Acquisition of Chinese Training Aircraft - Defense News

 

[Tajdar adil]

Insha Allah we will get them soon.

 

[fatman17]

there will be a 2-seat JF-17 for OCU just as we had for the F-6 and F-7. the most likely 'AJT' at this time is the JL-9.

 

[Tajdar adil]

Hope we will get this soon...