Pak PM: PAF interrested in L-159 AJT

[Myth_buster_1]

Gilani hopeful for support in EU on trade issues

ISLAMABAD, Mar 24 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed the hope that the Czech Government would continue to support Pakistan’s case in the EU for institutionalization of Pakistan-EU Summit process, enhanced market access through GSP Plus facilities and for initiation of negotiations on FTA between Pakistan and the EU.

The Prime Minister was talking to Martin Bartak, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, who along with his delegation called on him this afternoon.
He appreciated Czech Republic’s important lead role as the rotating Chair of European Union in 2009, for arranging the first Pakistan-EU Summit.
The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction on signing of the MoU between the two countries on Defence Cooperation and hoped that it will open new vistas of cooperation in defence production, joint ventures in Defence and in training fields.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan could be interested in L-159 Trainer Jets being produced in the Czech Republic with the US collaboration and in upgradation of MI-17 helicopters at the Czech defence facilities.
The Prime Minister said it was gratifying to note that the bilateral trade between the two countries had tripled in three years’ period. That trend was reflective of the fact that a vast untapped potential still existed for further trade expansion.
He called for concerted measures by both the sides for focusing on this area.
He also identified power generation, particularly the solar and hydel power, mining, oil and gas exploration, education and science and technology sectors for future collaboration between the two countries.
Recalling his meetings with the former Czech Deputy Prime Minister in Beijing in 2008 and Czech President in Davos in January 2009, the Prime Minister proposed regular high level visits between the two countries including exchanges of parliamentary delegations for strengthening of the bilateral ties and imparting new impetus for cooperation in diversified areas.
The Czech Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence underlined the importance his country attaches to fostering ever stronger ties with Pakistan and termed Pakistan’s role as pivotal in the war against terror as well as in restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He reiterated the view held by his President at the First Pakistan-EU Summit that trade was more important than aid for development of Czech Republic itself and assured the Prime Minister of his country’s consistent support in the EU for greater market access to Pakistani products.
The Czech Deputy Premier and Defence Minister conveyed the willingness of his Government to consider joint ventures and increased business in defence production through sale of equipment including the L-159 Trainer Jets.
He invited the Pakistani defence delegation as well as technical experts to visit Prague to have a first-hand experience of the Czech defence production and defence equipment overhaul facilities to take forward the proposals of collaboration in these fields in the future.
He also agreed with the Prime Minister on the need for focusing on expansion of trade, and cooperation in economic, science & technology and research training by stating that Czech side was ready to assist Pakistan in these areas to the extent possible.
The visit of experts in various fields to Prague could explore opportunities for expanding trade and economic cooperation.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Well I think the trainer is useful bird , its alway good to test different platforms and most importantly get repairs done on our russian based helicopters

 

[Salahadin]

Hopefully we will be able to get this trainer

 

[Imran Khan]

it will trainer for future jf-17 and fc-20.i think we need more trainers then current k-8 but why not chinese dubble engine trainer?.

 

[Myth_buster_1]

it will trainer for future jf-17 and fc-20.i think we need more trainers then current k-8 but why not chinese dubble engine trainer?.

Main bulk of PAF fleet will still be western origin. almost 100 F-16s 100 JF-17s and 36+ FC-20 with western systems so a western trainer makes much more sense. Or i could be wrong.

 

[Materialistic]

Its a good piece of news.
This might become a channel for Pakistan to EU markets then and one more strong trading relationship acheived.

 

[Kompromat]

I think it should make much more sense having western Trainers + K-8's because if i am not wrong it is a time to say bye bye to T-37 and FT-5 .

Here is the Cockpit.

 

[mshoaib61]

 

[umair86]

Who cares about PM he doesn't know what he is saying.

 

[Luftwaffe]

I would prefer FTC-2000 with upgrades low cost highly productive..

 

[Myth_buster_1]

I would prefer FTC-2000 with upgrades low cost highly productive..

How will this modified J-7 help PAF to train pilots for Block 52 and MLU M3? Even JF-17 will be transformed into western system. They need a western trainer and L-159 is one of those option.
L-15 makes more sense as it has advance training systems which will be easier for pilots to be transferred to the fleet.

 

[Luftwaffe]

Its not like they've picked an old J-7 and chopped off things and made it into FTC-2000..there is a lot of room for upgrades of this FTC-2000 yes you can customized it with western..Italian radar is available to us..if you are talking about interior than take a look at JF-17/FC-1 looks too good same can be done to FTC-2000 i don't see any reason to reject this bird in favor of an expensive one. Do you have to acquire a western trainer to train pilots for F-16 blk52 & MLU-3..the answer is No
with funds available L-15 would be next choice if not FTC-2000 and it has Chinese avionics as well radar you can choose Italian or Chinese.

 

[ice_man]

how many times have we "EXPRESSED INTEREST!" only for nothing to materalize let's not get too excited and fall on our face! this time i pray we do finialzie a deal & it doesn't end up like the U214 deal!

 

[Luftwaffe]

correct ice_man..we show too much interest in western stuff and later on news breaks up deal is off and so on..
Its either going to be L-15 or FTC-2000..

 

[TaimiKhan]

What i see is just a bait for the Czech, to further deepen the trade and defence ties.

Isn't L-159 as an intermediate jet trainer ?? Becoz the specifications do suggest its kind of an advanced intermediate jet trainer, for which we already have K-8 and newer P version.

We need an aircraft for the OCU version, and my choice is a twin version of JF-17.

No need to get into service another type of aircraft.