It's a snippet from that article: "The past PAF leadership’s investment in the MRF is reaping dividends decades later, and the work will continue until the JF-17 Thunder is mature enough, or a new fighter has been acquired, to take on most of the Mirage’s roles." @Oscar That should pretty much authenticate what you had been saying about the PAF seeking (at one point) a new strike fighter to supplant the Mirages. Seems that road has split to also (or only) see a more strike-capable JF-17.
I think if the engine is more capable tben increasing the Hardpoints seems more logical. However a safer bet may well be DERS for BVRs which might make things good enough at a cost. Inlet mounted HP is certai to accomodate the Aselsan pod.
I second that JH-7 with combo JF17 and ZDK 3 will be good enough to strike Indian task force coming towards our waters cheap easy to maintain twinengine heavy load is good enough .
If they can't get the Su-35 or Typhoon, then IMO they'll just hold out until a suitable 5th-gen solution is available. I don't think we could expect Project Azm that soon, likely post-JF-17 if the aim is to keep most of the design and development work in-country. Rather, they'll seek the FC-31, TFX or J-20.
I read yesterday indians pulling out from SU 57 5th generation programe if it is true our chances for Su family r bright plus F35 coming india very likely .Mind no Airforce is happySo far F35 performance including israel.its pretty much American forcing other countries to buy them .
