Saudi Arabia planning procurement of JF-17 Thunder, Mashshaks, says Saudi air chief

[Indus Falcon]

The same reason why many Saudi (and Gulf Arab) parents throw their kids into Toyota Camry sedans to and from school ... a cheaper platform to reduce operational costs and absorb punishment. The F-15s and Typhoons are prized assets that would be best preserved for bigger threats than Houthis.

Well an Air Tractor / Archangel would be good enough for the Houtis, why the JF-17?

 

[GumNaam]

ksa has decided to forget about western\european engines and electronics. They know how prone to sanctions they are and with China having caught up to western tech and having proven itself to be a reliable partner thru the demonstrated alliance with Pakistan, ksa naturally wants to enjoy the same relationship.

the west shot its arms industry in the foot by using sanctions as a tool of its foreign policy.

 

[The SC]

ksa has decided to forget about western\european engines and electronics. They know how prone to sanctions they are and with China having caught up to western tech and having proven itself to be a reliable partner thru the demonstrated alliance with Pakistan, ksa naturally wants to enjoy the same relationship.

the west shot its arms industry in the foot by using sanctions as a tool of its foreign policy.

True..Saudis were somehow impressed by the JF-17 electronics suite.. add this AESA now and an IRST, plus all the hosts of weapons it can carry and you'll see why they want it..
KSA, Kuwait and Qatar, maybe Bahrein too who was just denied a deal fo the F-16 from the US..

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

Well an Air Tractor / Archangel would be good enough for the Houtis, why the JF-17?

If and when Yemen subsides, they could re-purpose the JF-17 for territorial defence (like the retired F-5Es).

 

[Zain Malik]

High low mix.. they will use JF-17 where it can do the job like attack in Yemen. When facing strong enemy typhoon f-15 will be use.

Block 3 is far better than F-15,F-18 and F-16 MR...

If KSA want to develop Fighter jet industry , won't they ask tech superiors?? USA and Europe can become partner of KSA.. Why KSA will think of partnering Pakistan???

Because they know the reliability of Pakistan.... The world has realized mr. the Capabilities of PAkistan don't matter India has closed eyes...

 

[Sinnerman108]

So factory in Kharj .. ?

It's been a long time PDF !

Fortunately my account still working.. I was walking around, then I found this thread. What a shocking headline :




Indeed, it's a good move. For those who surprised by this, this is not new. Saudi Arabia has been testing the JF-17 for a quite long time.*

Some people would say what the Saudis will benefit from owning the JF-17 as they have much more advanced jets such Typhoon, tornado , F-15 and the F-15SA in the in the near future. However, a questions raises ; What if the U.S decided to cut off arms seals to Saudi Arabia ??

Answer is simple, RSAF will evaporate !

On the other hand, JF-17 is a game changing for the RSAF. It will enhance RSAF power, readiness, experience, reduce the operating costs and gives the Saudis a long lasting capabilities in defense. More importantly, JF-17 can gives the Saudis some self-reliance away from the American and Europeans which means sustainability of the military effort. It's not a good idea to assign bombing some militias near your borders to an high operating cost fighter such as Typhoon or F-15.

You can keep up the tough work going on via another way using a low operating cost fighter instead of wasting Typhoons and F-15.

Costs aren't the whole story. JF-17 is a worthwhile platform. Thus, with a trustworthy partners like Pakistan and China we can go for a strategic partnership and make a lot of win-win deals.

Coinciding with the Saudi vision 2030, local production of arms must increase to 50%. Therefore, cooperation with KSA means hundreds of millions will pumps in you economy !


**To back my statement colored in blue :-

Pics shows prince Salman Bin Sultan- Deputy Defense Minister- inspecting the JF-17 :

Another pic shows the JF-17 alongside with the RSAF's strike eagle (like 2 sisters) :

Salam Alikum ^_^

It's been a long time. How are you brother ?









Huh, what are you doing here, bro?

I wish we buy it with TOT.

After years of rumors and hundreds of articles in yellow journalisms about " JF-17 and Saudi Arabia" ... Finally, the Saudi air chief confirm it publicly.

It was a long story... hopefully the end will be JF-17 with TOT.

 

[Naif al Hilali]

With regards to JF17 Block 3, Can anybody share a comparison between RD93 vs WS13 vs EJ200 as Saudi might go for EJ200?

Bismillah ir Rahman ar Raheem

Length Diameter Weight Dry Thrust Augmented Thrust BPR SFC (Dry/Augmented)

RD-93 167" 41" 2,325 lbs. 11,200 lbf. 18,300 lbf. 0.49 0.77/1.85 lbs./lbf./hr.

EJ-200 160" 29" 2,180 lbs. 13,500 lbf. 20,250 lbf. 0.4 0.74/1.70 lbs./lbf./hr.

WS-13 162" 40" 2,500 lbs. 11,500 lbf. 19,400 lbf. 0.57 N/A

BPR: Bypass Ratio - Amount of Air Mass bypassing the engine's turbine core compared to the air mass passing through the turbine.

SFC: Specific Fuel Consumption - Fuel consumed in pounds per pound of thrust per hour.

EJ200 claimed to have a 6,000 hour lifespan. RD-33MK lifespan was increased to 4,000 hour but the RD-93 has been quoted variously at 1,800-2,200 hours.

WS-13 initially had long afterburner spool-up times (EJ200 and RD-33/93 quoted at four seconds from idle to Full Afterburner or less). Also, had reliability and manufacturing issues.

Allah keep everyone safe.

 

[Silicon0000]

Bismillah ir Rahman ar Raheem

Length Diameter Weight Dry Thrust Augmented Thrust BPR SFC (Dry/Augmented)

RD-93 167" 41" 2,325 lbs. 11,200 lbf. 18,300 lbf. 0.49 0.77/1.85 lbs./lbf./hr.

EJ-200 160" 29" 2,180 lbs. 13,500 lbf. 20,250 lbf. 0.4 0.74/1.70 lbs./lbf./hr.

WS-13 162" 40" 2,500 lbs. 11,500 lbf. 19,400 lbf. 0.57 N/A

BPR: Bypass Ratio - Amount of Air Mass bypassing the engine's turbine core compared to the air mass passing through the turbine.

SFC: Specific Fuel Consumption - Fuel consumed in pounds per pound of thrust per hour.

EJ200 claimed to have a 6,000 hour lifespan. RD-33MK lifespan was increased to 4,000 hour but the RD-93 has been quoted variously at 1,800-2,200 hours.

WS-13 initially had long afterburner spool-up times (EJ200 and RD-33/93 quoted at four seconds from idle to Full Afterburner or less). Also, had reliability and manufacturing issues.

Allah keep everyone safe.

Thanks Dear

 

[muhammadali233]

Block 3 is far better than F-15,F-18 and F-16 MR...



Because they know the reliability of Pakistan.... The world has realized mr. the Capabilities of PAkistan don't matter India has closed eyes...

block 3 is better than Millennium Falcon

 

[Zain Malik]

Millennium Falcon

You made that at home..??

 

[muhammadali233]

You made that at home..??

you live under a rock?

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

100-150 Plane deal would make this platform a viable Workhorse in Saudi Arabian Airforce
Great potential

Pakistan-Saudia cooperation on defence

• 100-150 Plane order for Saudia
  
• 70-80 Plane order with Qatar

Time to bring Saudia/Qatar into Defence alignment with Pakistan/Turkey

 

[mzeeshanfahd]

wonder why so sudden ......... I wonder if it has something to do with air space closer over northern Pakistan few days back ...... and we have all seen some pics of jf-17 in skurdu .... may be ..... would some senior like to comment ....

 

[That Guy]

It is a replacement for the retired F-5..125 of them..

Assuming their interest is even real. I'm still waiting for their "high interest" in the Al-Khalid to turn into an actual sale. Forgive me if I don't hold my breath.

 

[The SC]

Assuming their interest is even real. I'm still waiting for their "high interest" in the Al-Khalid to turn into an actual sale. Forgive me if I don't hold my breath.

Al Khalid they have tested it.. and it did not meet their requirements, but it met Moroccan (very close to Saudis and present during the tests) requirements and they bought 300 of them!
I am not holding my breath either, 'cause I know it ought to happen, call it analytical instinct..
Cheers!