Pakistan Air Force | News & Discussions.

[Last Hope]

What could those requirements possible be to need more F-16s? What does it mean for our plans to move away from USA as military supplier given its historic unreliability as a friends?

Going towards F-16s mean not going with J-10s, for any possible reasons.

 

[Gryphon]

Going towards F-16s mean not going with J-10s, for any possible reasons.

Definitely not ... I think PAF is negotiating for those 18 F-16 Block 50/52's which were delayed due to funds shortage ...

The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of up to 36 F-16C Block 50 and F-16D Block 52 external link two-seater aircraft – a buy of 18 jets, with an option for another 18. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $3 billion.

$5.1B Proposed Sales, Upgrades, Weapons Pakistan’s F-16s

For J-10 deal, China has already tested the FC-20 variant for Pakistan and they will be delivered in 2015. I don't remember where I read China was producing one FC-20 / three months for Pakistan ...

 

[HAIDER]

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt sits inside the cockpit of a fighter aircraft and is briefed on the systems during IDEAS 2012. PHOTO: APP/FILE

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Tahir Rafiq Butt says that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) must prepare for a two-front situation in view of its combat role in the anti- terrorism campaign, which has evolved since the 9/11 attacks on the US, and in addition to its traditional adversarial role as India’s neighbour.
“Airpower can achieve much more in a short span of time if employed with clear understanding of its capabilities,” he said in an interview to Defence Jane’s Weekly.
“Its inherent flexibility has enabled nation states to successfully deter their conventional adversaries as well as prosecute irregular outfits.”
The air chief said that while it always had to be prepared for the external threat, it now had to reconfigure itself to deal with an internal threat too.
“We are now faced with a definite two-front scenario: external as well as internal.”
While claiming that the PAF has proven itself to learn quickly on the job, Butt conceded that it did take them some time to get up to speed with the new challenge.
“While we have always prepared for the traditional and ominous external threat, the new predicament did take us a while to get up to speed with, but …we did manage to learn on the job quickly and are very efficiently supporting our ground troops in all their operations against militants and terrorists.”
PAF seeks to enhance JF-17 capabilities
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is seeking to enhance its latest multi-role fighter, trying to enable the JF-17 aircraft to refuel in mid-air, even though it remains open to procuring the more established and technologically advanced F-16 fighter jets.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt in an interview to Defence Jane’s Weekly said that the PAF was enhancing the JF-17 Thunder, jointly produced by Pakistan and China, and its flight time through the Ilyushin Il-78 air tankers, with the tests set to be completed by the end of the summer.
“The ground tests have been very successful and I am satisfied. The air-to-air (refueling test) will be done successfully by end of this summer.”
Pakistan had acquired refueling air tankers Ilyushin II-78 from Ukraine back in 2010. The tankers are now synchronising with medium-to-high tech multi-role aircraft in the PAF fleet, enhancing their capability to stay in the air for longer periods.
“The JF-17 program has been an excellent project to pursue, owing to the hard work put in by our engineers, technicians and test pilots,” the Air Chief said, adding “all this would also not have been possible without the cooperation of China.”
The JF-17 Thunder programme was jointly pursued by Pakistan and China to give Pakistan a third generation mutli-role aircraft that will replace its ageing fleet of French-made Mirage aircrafts and supplement its powerful, yet limited US built F-16 fighters. The PAF hoped that with an attractive price tag, the JF-17’s capability of carrying a variety of weapons, it would in time ” become the PAF’s mainstay.”
Butt said that the PAF plans to induct between 200 and 250 JF-17 aircraft in an airforce which has an estimated strength of 400 fighter aircrafts.
Possibility for more F-16 buys
The PAF has come under pressure recently after traditional and conventional rival India stepped up efforts to upgrade its airforce last year with a major order for fighters made by Rafale.
The most advanced aircraft in the PAF fleet which can match this is the Lockheed Martin made F-16. Most of the F-16 fleet that the PAF had till early 2000s were Block 32 A and B aircraft purchased in the 1980s. It wasn’t till the late 2000s that the US Congress eased restrictions for Pakistan to upgrade the older aircrafts and purchases for new Block 52 D and C aircraft.
The Air Chief said that PAF has also been maintaining and operating a sizeable fleet of US F-16 aircraft for a considerable time and its air and ground crews were fairly experienced in handling the weapon system.
“The PAF received its last batch of F-16s in the recent past and even now there are US Congressional clearances available for the provision of additional F-16 aircraft. Owing to requirements, compulsions in the future, there exists a possibility of acquisition of additional F-16 aircraft,” he said.
But with the F-16s touted by some experts as an antiquated weapons platform in light of fourth generation aircraft being developed in the US, Russia and China and recent purchases made by India, Butt said that options are still open on the purchase of high tech weapons systems.
Chinese AWACs
Answering a question regarding the induction of Chinese-built ZDK-03 airborne early warning and control (AWACs) aircraft, Butt said it has so far shown that the platform’s capabilities work well over sea, plains and mountainous terrain.
Pakistan has four US built P-3C Orion AWACs aircraft. At least two of the aircrafts in Pakistan’s fleet were destroyed in the 2011 attack on the Mehran airbase in Karachi. The US agreed to replace the two destroyed aircraft.

PAF must prepare for a two-front situation in war on terror: Air Chief – The Express Tribune

Interesting to see PAF now working on "two front" theory.

 

[HAIDER]

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - PAF to attain capability to keep its fighting force airborne for long haul: CAS

 

[Pak47]

Are we looking at older F-16's and Upgrading them or the 18+ B52 option?

 

[Edevelop]

We should not buy more F-16s. They are overpriced and prone to sanctions. In my view, PAF should go for J-10s.

 

[special]

f-16 can match Rafale?...

We should not buy more F-16s. They are overpriced and prone to sanctions. In my view, PAF should go for J-10s.

f-16 is more capable than j-10.

 

[Side-Winder]

We should not buy more F-16s. They are overpriced and prone to sanctions. In my view, PAF should go for J-10s.

only when J-10 is ready! let's see! but it will take time

f-16 can match Rafale?...



f-16 is more capable than j-10.

The specs J-10B does have on paper renders it capable enough to tackle Block 52s FOR SURE -- and even rafales -- air war is unpredictable -- only thing we have to see is that when AESA's and Indigenous engines for J-10B become ready!

 

[fatman17]

Pakistan to attain capability to keep its fighting force airborne for long haul


By Associated Press of Pakistan on Wednesday, August 7th, 2013


Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is all set to attain capability of keeping its indigenously developed fighter aircraft “JF 17 (Thunder) airborne for longer haul, said Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt. “The ground tests have been very successful and I am satisfied. The air to air refueling test) will be done successfully by end of this summer, Air Chief Marshal Butt said in an interview with Defence Jane’s Weekly. Pakistan had acquired the refueling air tankers Ilyushin II-78 from Ukraine back in 2010 and these are being synchronized with Medium to High Tech multi-role aircraft thus giving it the capability to remain in air for longer durations.

ACM Butt pointed out that the capability would enhance the marketability of the aircraft which at present is being monitored by a number countries due to its cost effectiveness and other valuable abilities.

“The JF-17 program has been an excellent project to pursue, owing to the hard work put in by our engineers, technicians and test pilots,” ACM Butt said. “All this would also not have been possible without the cooperation of China.”

He said JF-17 with an attractive price tag has the capability of carrying a variety of weapons, it is a true multirole aircraft and in time “would become the PAF’s mainstay.”

He said that PAF has plan to induct around 200 t0 250 JF-17 aircraft.

Answering a question regarding the induction of Chinese-built ZDK-03 airborne early warning aircraft – a platform, ACM Butt said it has so far shown that its capabilities work well over sea, plains and mountainous terrain.”

In the meantime, he said PAF has also been maintaining and operating a sizeable fleet of US F-16 aircraft for a considerable time and its air/ground crew are fairly experienced in handling the weapon system.

“The PAF received its last batch of F-16s in the recent past and even now there are US Congressional clearances available for the provision of additional F-16 aircraft. Owing to requirements/compulsions in the future, there exists a possibility of acquisition of additional F-16 aircraft, he said.

To a query regarding purchase of High Tech aircraft, he said options are still open.

ACM Butt said that PAF must prepare for a two-front situation in view of its combat role in Pakistan’s anti- terrorism campaign, which has evolved since the 9/11 attacks on the US, in addition to its historic adversarial role as India’s neighbor.

“Airpower can achieve much more in a short span of time if employed with clear understanding of its capabilities,” he said. “Its inherent flexibility has enabled nation states to successfully deter their conventional adversaries as well as prosecute irregular outfits. We are now faced with a definite two-front scenario: external as well as internal. While we have always prepared for the traditional and ominous external threat, the new predicament did take us a while to get up to speed with, but …we did manage to learn on the job quickly and are very efficiently supporting our ground troops in all their operations against militants/terrorists.”



Read more: http://www.****************/paf-pak...y-for-jf-17-fighter-jets-48683/#ixzz2bM1YyQXW

 

[Windjammer]

f-16 can match Rafale?...

The PAF F-16 have in recent times repeatedly beaten the EF Typhoon and F-15 Eagle so what's the big deal in matching the Rafale. !!

 

[fatman17]

merge this with posted in PAF news and discussions

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Wont be surprised if they do... same goes for J-10Bs which were approved by the govt.

 

[Secur]

The PAF F-16 have in recent times repeatedly beaten the EF Typhoon and F-15 Eagle so what's the big deal in matching the Rafale. !!

Well , it has recently been upgraded to the status of ' God's new gift to aviation ' so its hardly surprising . After all , according to the Monsieurs , Rafale can match a 5th generation aircraft too .

 

[Gryphon]

Are we looking at older F-16's and Upgrading them or the 18+ B52 option?

14 Second hand F-16's were given to PAF under Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program ... And Pak wanted 14 more ... but US Navy refused to release those from its aggressive units ... So no Ex-US F-16's

PAF may be planning to order 18 New F-16 Block 50/52's but all depends on $$$ which is scarce ..

 

[S.Y.A]

Well , it has recently been upgraded to the status of ' God's new gift to aviation ' so its hardly surprising . After all , according to the Monsieurs , Rafale can match a 5th generation aircraft too .

that was discussed earlier by some members here, according to them typhoon is way more stealthier than rafale, and french are just day-dreaming.