Yes, Turkey can build all of those without Pakistan and, I am saying this seriously. But if you listen to the words of TAI's chief there is a big elephant in the room which can't be ignored and Mr. Kotil talked about it i.e. "I don't have enough engineer in Turkey". This is what Pakistan brings to the table and that's why all this collaboration is done at academia level (With NUST not with PAC). Next, If TAI's chief is saying that they are brining some operations to Pakistan, this is no small statement by any mean. I am not sure what exactly those operations are, but we can deduce from circumstantial evidences these will be related to airframe manufacturing. When we talk about it many people think it's because of Thunder and experience gained from that project but let me tell you the experience in this field transcends Thunder. PAC has stunned world's best in the business with its airframe manufacturing prowess when it brought back to life these planes from dead by repairing their framework. SAAB had written off these Erieye aircraft and Lockheed Martin did the same in case of that PAF's F-16B in the pic ... then PAC showed them what happen when you have right commitment and determined leadership to stand behind your efforts.
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View attachment 818277Then there are legends known as Mirages IIIs/Vs ... more than 50 years old aircraft and still able to deliver. 2019 Op Swift Retort was mainly a strike mission carried out by PAF's mirages being maintained by PAC.
View attachment 818274OEM specifications were that these aircraft will have 2 service life overhauls and PAC has already put these machines 4 times through its rigs ... I don't want to go specifications enhancement done by PAC/PAF on these as that's not the discussion here. When PAC/PAF were doing all this, the world including TAI was watching and taking note!
Now, you will understand why TAI chief is so keen to bring the project to Pakistani young engineers
They know about the potential, rest can be achieved by cooperation and guiding these potential aviation experts of future for the benefits of both the nations.
Now, coming back to the topic at hand, Pakistan's cooperation with TAI on TFX is not going to be a platform level exercise rather cooperation is on sub-system level where TAI will get cheap but very capable minds and PAC will get fresh, advanced trained human resource in house with lots of opportunities to expand existing knowledge base in the country something many countries want but simply can't due to multiple reasons ranging from political to financial.
As far as Merging of TFX- and AZM is concerned. This is NOT POSSIBLE to do for PAF for very very obvious reason.
Let me try to explain that to you and others who think on the similar lines....
TFX development cycle is stretched to 2040 if everything in between then and now stay on schedule. But we know delays are inevitable in such complex projects. So we are talking about 2045-50 timelines for TFX flying in numbers and exported to PAF. Now, PAF's time of induction of 5th Gen fighter is not dependent on the completion of TFX or AZM. The most critical variable is when IAF will decide to induct its 5GF. PAF is following Minimum Credible Deterrence (State level military doctrine implemented across all 3 forces). You saw how quickly the operational gap created by IAF by acquiring Rafale was plugged by induction of J-10Cs. The same is going to happen with 5GF as it happened in case of 4.5GF! So, PAF has time to develop AZM while procuring off the shelf 5GF from China to restore the balance of power in the region to ensure strategic stability. India since 1971, has introduced instability in stability-Instability paradigm in the region around 7 or 8 times, and Pakistan restored stability in the paradigm every time to ensure deterrence stay alive. (Details are not relevant to the discussion at hand but if anyone interested can inbox me).
Pakistan will continue to cooperate with Turkey on TFX while expertise got will go to Azm as well because like I said (and TAI team also explained in that interview) that NUST engineers will be solving problems by breaking them into smaller challenges. Obviously we are talking about sub-system level R&D. Pakistan, for its own need, will keep Chinese channel open. This is our strategic constraint like I explained above. So, If Turkey can develop everything on its own, we will be more than glad, but if our brother has asked us for cooperation, this is also an honor for us as we consider this gesture as recognition to our talent. This changes nothing for PAF's future plans, AZM or anything!
Why NUST?
Many members have spoken on this as well. To me, it's related to the fact that NUST is only place in Pakistan with supercomputer installed, and it means this is a goto place for every organization in the country who has some sort of simulation, modeling and high fidelity analysis task at hand and require results with high degree of accuracy. This will also clear what Dr. Rizwan meant when he said NUST will be providing same services to TAI as it did for PAF's AZM! But then again it's my own understanding only.