Pakistan Air Force | News & Discussions.

[syed_yusuf]

Everything in the list is ok except paf have around 50 .f-7pg and around 100 mirage all varients

 

[ziaulislam]

According to PAF active aircraft list on wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Pakistan_Air_Force_aircraft

F-16s = 76
Mirage 3s = 75 (2025 retirement)
Mirage 5s = 82 (2025 retirement)
JF-17 = 100
F-7PGs = 60

Total = 393

F-7Ps have been replaced by JF-17s with F-7PG variant remaining in service. But now instead of retiring Mirages PAF chose to raise a new squadron.

Mirages alone are 75+85 = 160. Looking at numbers it's unlikely JF-17s alone can fill these numbers.

What are your opinions. Looks like JF-17 will receive further PAF order beyond the 50 JF-17 Block-3s but still in my opinion there is room in the fleet for another aircraft before the 5th Gen project Azm (rumored J-31). Because combined Mirage and F-7PG its 220 aircraft and even with a eventual 250 fleet size of JF-17 their is a balance of 70 jets. Otherwise PAF will need to shrink the overall fleet size.

5th Gen project Azm is slated for a aircraft to start replacing F-16s.

Original plan was to get more f16s and some j10s and reduce the size (not squardon give high serviceability of newer gen ac)

Now I guess it has to be thunders and or if possible USED or FMF f16s...as PAF doesn't think newer f16 are worth their price

 

[fatman17]

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman who is supposed to be retired on 19th March requested government to grant him brief extension as he wants to take pride to lead 23rd March fly-past for last time in his career. He will be leading this Pakistan's Day parade & will retire on 26th March https://t.co/VEkNU6gPuC

 

[fatman17]

JF-17B prototype 01 has gained the serial number 17-601 in Pakistan, where it is currently conducting test flights at PAC Kamra Air Base. https://t.co/KCN3y8dWIZ

 

[GriffinsRule]

It should've been 18-601! Nice to see it up in Pakistan skies still

 

[fatman17]

It should've been 18-601! Nice to see it up in Pakistan skies still

Manufacture date is 17, delivery date is 18.

 

[fatman17]

JF-17B Fierce Dragon/Thunder


This tandem-seat trainer version wasdeveloped at the request of Pakistani AF, which also pre-ordered the first prototype. JF-17B is believed to have been based on the JF-17Block II configuration with a IFR probe and an LED probe light installed on the starboard side of the forward fuselage. The aircraft features an enlarged and raised spine which creates additional space for flight instruments and fuel in order to compensate the space occupied by the rear cockpit. The aircraft also features a more swept vertical tail in order to reduce drag and to maintain the center of gravity. A new color LED landing light was installed above the front landing gear. A more powerful cockpit environmental control system has been installed as well to accommodate two pilots. More composite materials have been used in order to reduce the weight and to strengthen the structure. JF-17B is reportedly controlled by a new 3-axis digital FBW system replacing the old analog system. The aircraft is equipped with the same KLJ-7 PD fire-control radar and retain the same BVR as well as precision air-to-ground strike capabilities as JF-17 Block II. As the result JF-17B represents a very attractive option to foreign customers with limited budget and resources. Its length is 14.5m, height is 4.6m, TO weight is 9.4t, max external load is 4.6t. A model of the aircraft was first unveiled at the 2013 Paris Airshow by CATIC. The development started officially in 2014. The 01 prototype of JF-17B wasconstructed in December 2016 andconducted its first taxiing test on April 21, 2017. The JF-17B BC0001 prototype conducted its maiden flight on April 27, 2017. The JF-17B 02 prototype flew for the first time on December 7, 2017. Currently the 01 prototype (17-601) is conducting test flights at PAC.
- Last Updated 3/11/18

 

[Maxpane]

Waiting for block 3

 

[fatman17]

During the 2012 Zhuhai Airshow a new anti-radiation air-to-ground variant was unveiled as LD-10 with a range of 60km, which could equip JF-17 as well.

 

[Tank131]

PAF already operates the MAR-1 which has similar abilities. Not sure why they will also induct LD-10 rather than just offer it with the aircraft for buyers

 

[Shabi1]

PAF already operates the MAR-1 which has similar abilities. Not sure why they will also induct LD-10 rather than just offer it with the aircraft for buyers

Although the JF-17 can fire the MAR-1, it primarily equips the Mirage, PAF already ordered 100 LD-10s with 50 delivered 2014-15 and range from some sources is 80km. Commonality with SD-10A justifies procuring it will simplify maintenance, only seeker is different. Also if the JF-17 Blk-3 gets the dual SD-10 racks, it can be assumed it can carry LD-10s on those racks as well or a SD-10/LD-10 combo.

Pakistan has been really effective in hiding procurements for as late as possible and its a good thing as we know there are always surprises available.

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/pakistan-receives-ld-10-anti-radiation-missiles.445188/

 

[Tps43]

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman who is supposed to be retired on 19th March requested government to grant him brief extension as he wants to take pride to lead 23rd March fly-past for last time in his career. He will be leading this Pakistan's Day parade & will retire on 26th March https://t.co/VEkNU6gPuC
View attachment 458744View attachment 458745

He is retiring on time

 

[fatman17]

Chengdu J-20 to become multi-role platform

13 MARCH, 2018 SOURCE:
FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM BY: GREG WALDRON SINGAPORE
Beijing will evolve the Chengdu J-20 fighter into roles well beyond aerial supremacy.

The aircraft’s primary mission for the time being is “making way for other aircraft in an air battle,” says Zhang Hao, who heads an air force flight test centre.

Zhang made the remarks in a story carried by Beijing’s official China Daily news organ.

The type will be developed into variants and will also allow for the opening of research into a “sixth generation fighter,” says Yang Wei, a deputy director of science and technology at AVIC.

"We are not complacent about what we have achieved,” Yang is quoted as saying. “We will develop the J-20 into a large family and keep strengthening its information-processing and intelligent capacities. At the same time, we will think about our next-generation combat plane to meet the nation's future requirements," Yang added that the J-20 is “the best fighter in China, so it would be used in the most crucial moments during a war.”

The 418-word story is surprisingly candid about the J-20, which has been shrouded in secrecy since it first appeared on social media in 2010. The type made its maiden flight in 2011. At the 2016 iteration of Airshow China in Zhuhai, two examples flew above the crowd at the show’s opening, but AVIC officials declined to discuss the aircraft. The China Daily story, however, says the type was “de-classified” in November 2016.

A recent, seperate two-line story from state news agency Xinhua proclaimed that the type had been commissioned into combat service, but gave few details.

Apart from a plan to develop more J-20 variants, the story reveals that the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) will not allow exports of the type. It also revealed that the type has participated in beyond-visual-range (BVR) test engagements.

It does not reveal how many aircraft have been produced, how many will be operated, or the specific missions for which the J-20 will be developed.

Observers have suggested that a key mission for the type in the aerial supremacy role will be not just engaging enemy combat aircraft, but attacking critical support aircraft such as tankers and airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft. To this end China is developing the PL-21, a ramjet-powered missile guided by an active radar. Performance is believed to be comparable to the long-range MBDA Meteor.

A guide to possible missions is provided by Lockheed Martin’s mission list for the F-35. Apart from the air-to-air mission, it says the type is suitable for electronic attack, air-to-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The F-22, originally developed as a fighter, is also capable of electronic attack and can carry bombs.

The report claims that the J-20 is the third fifth generation fighter to enter service after the F-22 and F-35. In addition, it reiterated that AVIC’s FC-31 is aimed at the international market, but gave no other details about development plans for this aircraft.

"In the past, we had to follow others' paths when it came to designing military aircraft because our research and development capabilities were primitive in this regard, but now we have become capable of designing and making what we want to have," said Yang.

 

[ghazi52]

THE NEW PAKISTAN AIR FORCE HOSPITAL IN ISLAMABAD

 

[Tank131]

Although the JF-17 can fire the MAR-1, it primarily equips the Mirage, PAF already ordered 100 LD-10s with 50 delivered 2014-15 and range from some sources is 80km. Commonality with SD-10A justifies procuring it will simplify maintenance, only seeker is different. Also if the JF-17 Blk-3 gets the dual SD-10 racks, it can be assumed it can carry LD-10s on those racks as well or a SD-10/LD-10 combo.

Pakistan has been really effective in hiding procurements for as late as possible and its a good thing as we know there are always surprises available.

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/pakistan-receives-ld-10-anti-radiation-missiles.445188/

Missiles are not reserved for one type or another. The notion that MAR-1 equips mirages and so LD-10 is necessary is not well thought through given mirages are being retired and replaced by JF-17. Now one could say LD-10 is a better weapon than MAR-1 but there is no evidence of this. The stated range of both is 60km, but some reports suggest longer ranges for both with 80km for LD-10 and 100km for MAR-1. Something as simple as the PAF wants multiple options or it was bought to appease China or show that PAF stands behind thr Chinese weapons packages for the sake of marketing the aircraft and weapons, or even they dont have enough MAR-1 in the inventory would all be reasonable answers, but not because it primarily equips Mirage. MAR-1 integration on the JF-17 has been completed. PAF should try to keep as diverse a group of suppliers for all weapons and aircraft as possible for those areas whdre it doesnt have indigenous solutions, obviously with China getting the lions share.