Pakistan to look for other options if F-16 deal with US doesn’t materialise

[GR!FF!N]

J10 is an option but we are not looking to induct a new platform

cause PAF isn't mad enough to induct a whole new platform.

 

[mzeeshanfahd]

J10 is an option but we are not looking to induct a new platform

TFX or KFX can be options to look at

 

[Zibago]

cause PAF isn't mad enough to induct a whole new platform.

We will induct the 5th gen fc31 by 2020-25 so thats one,reason we are not going for the j10 option it was looked into in 2009-10 but was later shelved for future fc31 deal

 

[Skaði]

PAF will go for the used F-16's of those countries which are replacing f-16 with F-35, mainly Denmark, Norway and Netherland.

As I've already explained to Horus who asked about the availability of Norwegian F-16s (see the quote below), those aircraft wont be out of service until mid-2020 at the earliest... I hope Pakistan isn't still waffling with its aircraft procurement at that point.

If you're still waiting for sub-par F-16s in the Mid-2020s, you're doing something wrong. According to Pakistanis on PDF, you're supposed to be getting the J-31 around that time... which I don't believe is a realistic timeframe, but who knows. Irrespective of the timeframe, Pakistan is targeting the J-31 as a counter to Indian 5th generation aircraft plans and procurement.

Either way, Norwegian F-16s are not an attractive option for Pakistan.

Norway's currently operating 52 F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU, these aircraft has some Block 50/52 technologies in them, but honestly, they aren't anything special.

Yes, they will likely be sold, and Pakistan is an option if it should ask for them - but, and this is the major sticking point; while our AM-1, AM-2, AM-3 and AM-4 are on track, those four F-35 are the only four that have so far been ordered. 52 are planned, to replace our F-16s on a 1-1 basis, but so far only four F-35s have been ordered.

16 have been cleared for purchase but no orders placed.

This already puts our F-16 replacement plans in doubt, but to make it worse, our F-16s to remain in service until at least 2024 as 6 f-35s will arrive every year, with the first two arriving in Norway in 2016, this of course relies on the assumption that all 52 planned are fully funded. At present they are not.

Pakistan can order them once they are replaced, or even begin negotiations to secure them before they hit the open market, but they wont be leaving Norway quite yet.

These are our (and maybe your) F-16s:

Personally, I think there are better options for Pakistan, especially given the time frame.

 

[Av8er]

PAF will have to overcome it's separation anxiety with the sanction prone F-16's. They are excellent platforms and we have a ton of experience on them but by relying on them in times of need we will get burned.

Pakistan needs to do a lot better economically as well as diplomatically, which is the only way to open up a lot more options in our favor. Taking a page out of the Indian playbook may not be such a bad idea.

 

[mingle]

Pak does not have money for these 8 what option we have then ??

 

[Ibr0kEmYrAz0r]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Why can't Pakistan just get the loan somewhere, then pay the full price for those F-16s, in that case it will be harder for the US to stop the sale, cos on paper, you two are still allies. (Yes, USA knows Pakistan can't afford the planes, so they deliberately set the monetary hurdle to deter Pakistan getting them.)

Now after acquiring the F-16s, bite the hard truth, learn the lesson that self-reliant is important, then start planning getting the next fighter platform for the coming decades, may it be another procument via ToT or self-developing through the knowledge gained from building existing JF-17s, or whatever. You need to get off this choke point, the sooner the better.

 

[ziaulislam]

cause PAF isn't mad enough to induct a whole new platform.

not now, but if it doesn't see much support in f-16s and once it settles its thunder program than it would look for another fighter in numbers. likely a flanker or j-10

 

[Humble Analyst]

It certainly is a dilemma, the issue is people think of the short term. Now if Pakistan invest in developing it's service industry like mobile apps, gaming, IT as it certainly has the calibre of professionals than you would see a higher FDI rate from international investors. There needs more technology parks where the govt offers tax breaks to those start up industries and wait 5 years to see a change in world opinion. Alas people just keep going on about CPEC like it's the only thing but people should think outside the box.

Look at India in 1992 and compare now we had a smallish defence budget of just $12-14 billion and today it is over $40bn and world bank saying we might grow to 8% next year.

Make peace with India let's do business we can change Asia together if we joined forces.

Think why no CEO of apple or google comes to Pakistan? Why no large investment like foxconn going? You have the man power
,In the 1960s Pakistan was way ahead of most countries people like Clinton, Beatles used to come on the hippie trial and PIA was the finest of airlines but now look?

Peace with India is good idea but India is riding high and do they want peace with Pakistan? If India wanted it would have done it long time ago so please offer what you can

 

[Dr Gupta]

Peace with India is good idea but India is riding high and do they want peace with Pakistan? If India wanted it would have done it long time ago so please offer what you can

It takes 2 to tango

 

[BRAVO_]

Pakistan should go for J-31 and should engage it self now in to its development. it will give them a good know how of more modern tech as well as it will b a step further in our self reliance. furthermore, they can tailored the aircraft according to their needs in future. F-16 is more like a symbol of pride for our current generation of pilots and officers coz they are watching it since their child hood in our songs and TV shows and the grew up with it. but F-16 era is over, i can understand the love of few forum members toward it and reason i have already mentioned above but its time to change. more early we will realize more easy it would be for us to inline according to our future needs.

 

[Humble Analyst]

It takes 2 to tango

Agree and that is the point Sir

 

[Dr Gupta]

Agree and that is the point Sir

Look what happens when we try talking there is a pattern I am sure you aware of it

 

[R Wing]

This deal not going through will probably be the best thing that ever happened to our Air Force.