IMO the technological gap has reached a level now that its become the biggest joke, it was bad enough that they have something like 200 SU-30s, now there getting S-400s, rafales and most likely PAK-FAs, its turning into a bit of a nighmare, the indians are serious about making a potential conflict a wipe out. they don't want to give pakistan even a Gilmore of hope, what will PAF do? most likely keep upgrading the JF-17 and looking for more F-16s, there is no way in hell a chinese platform will compensate for the technological gap, if the chinese were so confident in there platforms they would never have signed a deal to buy the SU-35s, the PAF have noticed a chink in the chinese platforms, they've noticed this chink for a long time this is what stopped them from going ahead with the J-10s why spend 50 mills per fighter and get something which isn't quite up to mark then your own F-16s, The J-31 is just a paper aeroplane, it looks smooth and stealthy performance wise i wouldn't be shocked if its below the SU-30MKI.
Unfortunately Reuters and bloomberg both estimate India will spend around $150 Bn or Euro 138 Bn in next 10 years for a much deeper modernisation.
Even if all 3 arms do get say $50 Bn each, the IAF, IA and IN is looking at definitely a marked change from its erstwhile present setup. This does mean in future the most probably lowest 4th gen aircraft would be LCA MkXX next would be Su30 MKI super std, Rafales F3R2/F4 std, FGFA and AMCA. Coupled with S400 or similar type SAMs
Its not a boasting but last 15 years steady growth and a huge domestic market has helped us reach a position that we could afford to spend $150 Bn in next decade for such a deep modernisation.
OF course, this implies every country will play to the gallery and will try to corner a sizeable share of this spending. Be it France, USA, Russia, Japan, Germany or even our own Domestic market players from public and private sector.
If you ask my honest opinion, since a new jet squadron will take say 3-4 years and its full assimilation and tactics generation will take another 3-4 years we are looking at around 6-8 years from present timeline for a proper Rafale Jet response strategy. So in that timeline, if Pakistan economy can even add 1% point above its expected growth for 2015, that 1% point over next 8 years technically opens up a huge cash spending capability which can be then judiciously divided among various priorities including defense spending. In that sense taking a decision of procuring a new twin engined jet around 2021 is not a bad idea as you will see a bit more matured platforms and also economically your ability will be much higher.
how dare you!! su-35!!!!
eurofighter typhoon baby!! dont worry were are planning to cut prices down to a minimum of £80 million
As i said my good sir, if Pakistan is able to add 1% point in their economy for next 8 years then in 5 years or 2021 timeline they should be able to afford a fleet of 2-3 squadrons of EFs. By that time EF will definitely evolve into a much capable bird over today. and PAF ability to procure a good advanced platform will also be there.
IMHO GOP needs to do much more to be strong economically first before using the benefits of such a boosted economy in military purchase, negotiations ability and bargaining power of the buyer.
i quoted Su35s only bcz i know for sure Russia is very unhappy with the news of India buying Rafale. So its a opportunistic strategy which can very well cement a long term Pakistan Russia relationship
? spare aircraft to be quickly transferred to the Pakistani air force in case they need it in a hot war scenario with India or 2 squadrons of PLAAF willing to fight to Pakistan ?
