Pakistan Seeks Greater Indigenization for Next Air Force Fighter

[shah1398]

Pakistan Seeks Greater Indigenization for Next Air Force Fighter
Usman Ansari, Defense News9:54 a.m. EDT May 31, 2016

ISLAMABAD — The top Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief has outlined plans for greater indigenous design and technical/industrial input with its next fighter, which it hopes to realize under the Vision 2030 program.

In an interview aired by the national broadcaster PTV, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said Vision 2030 aims for greater indigenization of avionics, communication systems, and other subsystems and components for a fifth generation fighter.

He accepted there are budgetary and research challenges, but said human resources and infrastructure was being developed to ensure that 10-15 years from now these goals could be achieved.

A major aspect of this is Aviation City near Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, the home of Pakistan’s aviation industry, which will have its own higher education facilities to nurture talent for the indigenization process.

The Chinese Shenyang J-31, (or development thereof), is strongly speculated to be Pakistan’s choice of fifth generation fighter. However, author, analyst and former Air Force pilot Kaiser Tufail believes this is still unclear, but “emphasis on an indigenous design” is serious.


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The air chief “is well aware of the limitations in exercising full operational autonomy over foreign-supplied weapon systems. Additionally, the perennial issue of sanctions has hobbled PAF's front-line fighters continually, something that a small air force can ill-afford,” he said.

As also outlined by Aman, Tufail believes the JF-17 program laid the groundwork and “instilled sufficient confidence” to consider moving from a 50-50 partnership, as with the JF-17, to one featuring perhaps 70 percent to 80 percent “local design and production.”

Tufail thinks the existing, “highly qualified and well-trained crop of engineers and technicians” are ready to take up the challenge and can form the nucleus of a wider knowledge and technical pool to provide “the basic wherewithal which can be tailored to the new requirements without much difficulty.”

However, he said a failure to turn around Pakistan’s “mismanaged and under-taxed national economy” will effectively doom the program as increased defense spending “does not go well with political governments whose focus always remains on showy development projects.”

http://www.defensenews.com/story/de...5/31/pakistan-vision-2030-air-force/85184306/

 

[Pakistanisage]

Great move and long overdue.

 

[Samlee]

Something Which Should Have Happened A Long Time Ago

 

[Dr Shaheryar]

Was on the cards but due to economic constraints and our dependency for legacy fighters was preventing us from moving in this direction.

 

[Development C&P]

http://www.guancha.cn/military-affairs/2016_06_02_362580.shtml

 

[Ijazkhan]

Very sensitive issue. Needs thorough analysis. Americans will not like paf to be able to become that independent as to lose control in paf decision-making.

 

[Benign Persona]

http://www.guancha.cn/military-affairs/2016_06_02_362580.shtml

can u please translate?

 

[janu.bravo]

can u please translate?

May 31 the United States, "Defense News" reported that Pakistan Air Force commander said in an interview on national television, the country's Air Force plans to 2030 as the "fifth-generation fighter," supporting section avionics localization. The journal believes that the introduction of the fifth generation fighter aircraft of Pakistan's best hope is AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Group FC-31 fighters. This is the first Pakistani official confirmed that the country plans to introduce the fifth generation fighter aircraft. The Military Observer commentator said, according to several previous air show in the aircraft industry to disclose the news, People's Liberation Army Navy and Air Force equipment currently no clear demand for FC-31 fighter aircraft is likely to be similar to the FC-1 "Fierce Dragon" fighter as specialized export fighter, users have to rely on foreign investment to complete the follow-up development.

Pakistani users draw FC-31 and F-16 fighting alongside Imaginative

"Defense News" reported that Pakistan Air Force Commander, Suo Haier Ammann in an interview with state television in Pakistan, said the Air Force has developed Vision 2030 program, the goal is to achieve as a fifth-generation fighter in 2030 supporting avionics, communications systems and other subsystems with some parts of the localization.

He acknowledged that, to achieve this plan, there are challenges in terms of budget and research, but also said that has already begun to prepare human resources and infrastructure to ensure that the next 10 - 15 years to achieve this goal.

"Defense News" reported that China's Shenyang J -31 (or model of development on its basis) is Pakistan's fifth-generation fighter greatest hope.

However, some analysts believe that the financial situation in Pakistan may be difficult to afford such an ambitious plan, but the Air Force's ambition is to promote the building can not be ignored. On the JF-17 fighter, the localization rate is now 50%, the next generation machine will likely want to increase the localization rate to 70% -80%.

Military observer network commentators believe that from the 2014 Zhuhai Air Show for the first time publicly FC-31 "falcon Eagle" fighter project, the aircraft has been to the international market.

2014 Zhuhai Airshow flight performance of "falcon hawk" One prototype

FC-31 fighter model

Recent news source said, although the Navy had an early interest "falcon hawk", but in the actual PLA carrier aviation equipment J -15 "Flying Shark", have changed their views - simply, is, that the future of the Navy new carrier-based fighter must be heavy fighter. In other words, the Navy's interest in "falcon Eagle" if not completely disappeared, has also been very weak. Meanwhile, the F -20 fighter currently proceeding smoothly, the troops soon as a request directly to the military-led project, J-20 fighter design is very fitting usage requirements Air Force, and "falcon hawk" position it is not clear.

In this case, the PLA's own equipment "falcon hawk" of the door do not say "close latch", at least on the already ajar.

However, military observers network commentators believe that the United States has precedent in the F-35, "falcon Eagle" export success is likely."Falcon hawk" If you can make sure to reach F-35 stealth performance level, which is the radar cross section of less than 0.1 m2 level, in the face of the general air defense radar and fighter fire control radar, can be found in significantly reduced distance when BVR air combat and ground attack advantage. And all fourth-generation fighter program to improve the international market, are lower than this level.

For the rest, the use of domestic or Russian medium thrust engine "falcon Eagle" with Russia may improve late MiG -29SMT other models closest in terms of range, and high-altitude high-speed performance is relatively high because the lift-drag advantages may also be better than MiG-29, together with the RCS of radar and advanced electronic systems, as well as China's new export empty ammunition, aircraft competing for air superiority combat all fourth-generation aircraft and will constitute an overwhelming advantage.

Pakistan, "Fierce Dragon" fighter production line

At the same time, with stealth characteristics "falcon Eagle" magazine in the machine can carry small caliber arms to perform clearing air strikes. Although the strike capability and may not have the mainframe within the magazine's F-35 par, but with stealth strike capability, for many users is the dream of things.

It would appear, "falcon hawk" as long as the stealth performance to meet the requirements, flight performance reached the level of other types of MiG -29SMT, may very well become the "God Machine" on the international market - although not, and F-22, F -20 par, but enough to feel free, "rolling" any four generations of machines on the international market.

Next, the main problem is who is going to pay support "falcon hawk" development, and previously reported, "falcon Eagle" is self-funded development projects in the aircraft industry, its development and progress by the national attention and a lot of investment J-20 project can not be compared. According to rumors, which until recently was on the 2nd prototype manufactured, this may indicate that the aircraft has been injected foreign customers, or have a more specific export target, and more investment in the aircraft industry.

If all goes well, maybe 10 years later, FC-31 fighter will become an international market, "dark horse." (Observer network blocking open source)

 

[Tiqiu]

can u please translate?

It is a bit too long to translate. Basically it sums up what the English news covers. However one remarks at the end my give us some insights. "据传闻，其二号原型机直到最近才制造完成，这或许表明，该机已经得到国外用户的注资，或有了较为明确的出口目标，而得到中航工业的更多投资。"

Translation: " It was said that no.2 of J-31 was just completed recently by CAIC till now. This may indicate that either some overseas interested buyers have injected funds into the program, or CAIC injected funds itself because it already has a target to export it.

Also the photos it uses maybe suggesting some type of TOT.

 

[Signalian]

Payload is too less but considering its a stealth aircraft, choice of large payload seems absent unless stealth is compromised.

Anyone here knows how much is RCS affected when external hardpoints are loaded with weapons for a stealth aircraft?