-An official with the programme confirms that the variant will be designated JF-17B. It is being developed in response to customer requirements for a combat-capable trainer variant of the aircraft.
“There is no loss in combat capability with the addition of the extra seat,” says the official.
PAF project director has claimed that JFT-B will be for export purposes because PAF is very happy with simulator and single seater training methods. More over he said that JFT B will only be for training purposes and will have same combat capability as single seater.
Any dedicated strike platform like f16D is not in in focus for now.
from its war experience for the years I can say that PAF doesnt conduct itself in such half arsed, confused, bewildered and stupid way like it has run the development and marketing program of the JF-17
every highlighted sentence above in the two quotes deserves a thorough dressing down of the people who are running this program. out of respect for the institution my choice of words is still careful.
being developed in response to customer demand
it means that respective customers respectfully dismiss the claim of the program directors that the simulation and standard experience of a modern jet aircraft is enough to fly this aeroplane. these ex-fighter pilots miss out the marketing rule 101 that when you want to sell something then you think from customer point of view.
yes, your serving pilots have proven to the world that this jet can be mastered without even a trainer but a customer may not share same level of confidence.
requirements for a combat-capable trainer variant
Trainer, trainer and trainer is an insistence by these people. fixating the customer to think in one dimension only. restricting him from improvising the dual seater jet for any other possible mission. again a very narrow minded single dimensional thinking by those who might have flown in 3 D space.
PAF is very happy with simulator
again these decision makers are doing thinking for the future PAF pilots. and since they have put their foot down that they wont allow their single minded approach from thinking beyond the trainer so this duel seater jet will remain out of bounds from PAF inventory.
strike platform like f16D is not in in focus
the statement shows lack of clarify about the marketing and total contradiction of the entire program concept, which was a multi-purpose workhorse of a light modern platform which will offer variety of roles interception, escort, sea patrol, strike role, CAP .. you name it. refusing to allow the added perceived benefits of a duel seater shows that some people in its marketing program fail to see some basic flaws in their strategy ..
but no matter, as the time passes and as the time will have mercy on the PAF ... these same people will eat their hats and announce the added features with extended mission capabilities that the duel seater platform will offer.