Sri Lanka to Replace Ageing Fighter Squadrons

[Gryphon]

Asian Defence Journal: July-August 2014
Excerpt from: Page 44



@Lankan Ranger @Aeronaut @fatman17

 

[slapshot]

There were some rumors in past that Sirlanka may get six thunders to replace their Kfirs.

 

[BDforever]

Asian Defence Journal: July-August 2014
Excerpt from: Page 44



@Lankan Ranger @Aeronaut @fatman17

nice, possible Jf-17 customer ?
anyway, any news about BAF in this journal ?

 

[nomi007]

if they need some f-7pgs or a-5
than ask Pakistan
we can gift them

 

[Skull and Bones]

if they need some f-7pgs or a-5
than ask Pakistan
we can gift them

What's the purpose, Kfir and Mig-27 is as old as their A-5 or F-7, and probably very limited airframe life left.

 

[slapshot]

What's the purpose, Kfir and Mig-27 is as old as their A-5 or F-7, and probably very limited airframe life left.

Wishful thinking I guess A5 are no better then what they already have and PAF is not retiring F7PGs. Sirilanka may induct some thunders there was a news about six thunders a couple of months ago.

 

[aliaselin]

It seems for Sri Lanka, one squadron includes 12 fighters, so there is a gap for 24 fighters at most.

 

[Kompromat]

What kind of jets are they looking at? - Previously there was talk about Sri Lanka evaluating the JF-17s.

 

[fatman17]

china can sell the F-7PG double-delta wing or the FC-1. Pakistan cannot sell JF-17 directly as it does not have the export licence for the engine, China does.

 

[SQ8]

Best bet is to look at a variant like the F-7BGI. That has both acceptable A2A and decent guided attack capability.
The JF-17 is an option that may prove a little expensive.

A more balanced option could also be the upgrade of the existing Kfirs if possible and the acquisition of more. The Kfir C.12 is a very good aircraft for its price with some very advanced avionics. IF greater luxury is desired then the Kfir Block 60 is at the top there. The Kfir offers the added benefit of reduced training costs for both pilots and ground crews.

 

[Luftwaffe]

SLAF possible options could be FC-1, F-7 [variant BGI or similar] L-159, Kfir C.12/Block 60 I posted its detail months back.

All of them have the price around of $15m-$20m.

If F-7's variant is the option that is sold to BAF, for SLAF partial payments by AF and some 200m soft loans by China is not a big issue it could be paid by Sri Lankan Gov later on with-in agreeable timeframe going after a relatively much better product instead of F-7 variant.

Do note Kfir Block 60 is offered with AESA.

The Kfirs logged only a few hundred flight hours, their structure is intact, without cracks or fatigue. As part of their return to flying status these jets are totally stripped down, rebuilt, re-wired and re-equipped with modern systems.