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4-6 Y-20s (replacing IL-78s). The real variable IMO would be Y-20's fuel efficiency. It seems to use the same D-30KP turbofans as the IL-78s, but I wonder if its airframe design and other aspects make it less of a guzzler compared to the Midas. If so, then I think the PAF would go that route.

I don't know, but the Turkish AESA radar is still a few years out, and the U.S. would have to approve of letting Aselsan take away a potential market for Northrop. So, I doubt it.

Even if the Army was intending to switch the standard issue rifle in earnest, the process would take a few decades at least. In our case, it'd likely be a process of basically issuing the rifle to new soldiers so that they grow up around it, it'd be the smoothest process, but the longest as...

At this point I am of the belief that the Pakistan Army will settle on two dedicated attack helicopters: AH-1Z and one other type. I don't think we'll see the other type selected any time soon, they're just touching base with each of the vendors and are keeping an eye on how the market develops...

I know I am opening up a whole can of worms here, but how indigenous is your ECM/EW technology?

Bro, this is the problem. Everything you just wrote (about Ra'ad II) is a good analysis, but it isn't fact, it's just your perspective. Yes, it's well informed, but such a perspective can never replace a hard fact unless it is confirmed by the authorities. Also, nothing you wrote actually...

I don't know why the numbers are being bought in that order. I don't know anything about money and time of delivery except that TAI believes the cost of implementing the upgrade on Pakistan's F-16s (not to be confused with the kits) could be $100m.

If they develop an MRTT version, I think the PAF might consider it to replace the IL-78s.

I agree with you - there's no way for the Pakistani side to quantify such a claim. Looking at the Ra'ad and SOM today, the SOM looks like the more advanced (e.g. 500kg lighter!) ALCM. Sure, one could suggest that Pakistan is producing micro-turbojets, how else (besides smuggling stuff from China...

The MLU for the Peace Gate F-16s was completed a while ago - around 45 planes in total. All that remain are the 13 ex-RJAF F-16 Block-15ADFs and the 14 ex-RJAF F-16s we're in the process of buying right now. As for the F-16V. From what I can see, the upgrade just sits in the AESA radar, much of...

Maybe because those used F-16s cost a lot less than new F-16s? Some are raising the issue of Pakistan needing U.S. permission to buy used F-16s from third parties. This is true, but this isn't actually the issue of the day. Pakistan got approval to buy new F-16s, it just didn't want to pay the...

Yea ... we haven't seen any additional development on the Ra'ad (publicly at least). I understand our R&D capacity not being great, but it's surprising that we haven't extended an invite to a competent vendor to help us out with ALCM development. A lighter ALCM that we can easily load onto the...

I'd say a heavier AAW frigate would be the culmination of several steps - which we have yet to take: Building an actual fleet of light frigates or heavy corvettes to patrol the SLOC, keep up coalition support commitments, provide some kind of air umbrella to the submarines, etc. Once the Type...

I don't even know where and how the Block-30 came into the discussion. Not only does Jordan *not* operate Block-30s, but the PAF will never get Block-30s, they use GE turbofans. If anything, it'd go for Block-32, but those are only available at AMARC in Arizona - in other words, it's something...

Well it really boils down to what is available to Pakistan and whether the PAF is interested in it, and the A-Darter fell into both criteria, so I give it a lot of attention. It's worth it to obsess over something that could potentially be a reality than something that is just a fantasy. That's...

@Tank131 You mentioned a vital point about KSEW simply assembling foreign designs (so as to produce manufacturing jobs in Pakistan). The recent submarine deal with China seems to be a departure from that and more along the lines of the JF-17 program, with Pakistan bringing in genuine submarine...

Is the DASH HMD/S (for JF-17) doable through this mechanism?

Why go for a comparatively old design that will eventually be supplanted or made redundant with the 8 Chinese SSPs? Maybe a better route would be to think long-term and perhaps invest in littoral waters SSKs instead? Think of the HDW Type 210mod; imagine having three of these submarines...

Right now, it is the Umkhonto EIR (25-35km range) that is in Denel's development pipeline and is on track to fruition. If Pakistan were to sign onto the Umkhonto, it should not be too long before it can get the EIR (and give it baseline CAMM-like capability over sea). The Umkhonto R (60km)...

In any case, if they are indeed looking to get the MILGEM, I hope it is the MILGEM-G, and I hope we one way or another fit at least 16 (ideally 32) Umkhonto EIR onto them. Even if we're talking about a 2500 ton light frigate, that's fair, let's just finally embrace the full platform and build an...