Originally posted by mysterious@Jan 28 2006, 05:09 PM
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PAF getting 75 new fourth generation fighters is really highly unlikely. You have typically made a wish list, without caring about the funds, availablity, maintenance, cost, or effectiveness.
Indeed there is a need for a strong air force, but following Israel is rediculous. Israel is a tiny country, with tiny army, so it needs a strong air force to counter the enemy which is far away for example Iran or Syria. This is the reason they have the qualitive air force.
PAF should have the same case but Pakistan is highly depended on the army, and the generals not much focus on PAF for some reasons even though aircrafts and technology is needed to defend the army.
[post=5698]Quoted post[/post]
in modern war, air war is critically vital
the government suggested PAF modernization is going to be limited at $15 Billion
the Aquistion of f-16's is limited to $3-4 Billion, the cost of a single JF-17 is 15 Million, and the PAF chief suggested going all the way up to 250 planes to replace the f-7's, a-5's, and mirages
also PAF is going to require infastructure to maintain these planes, and arm them
finally PAF will be modernizing the SAM network (an there are 10 vital zones, which require modern air defense; layers of chinese copies of s-300V (hq-15), type 95 AAA/SAM, SD-10, and the swedish Short Range RAMBE-23 (15km) SAM (this costs $5.5 Billion)
also there needs to be a modernization of C4ISR; AWACS, ELINT, possibly refuelers (hinted at by the Air chief) and actually in the ground command centers in which to coordinate with all other services; these costing in the neighborhood of $2-3 Billion
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so before the other fourth gneration fighter the costs are going to be around 14.25-16.25
so to forfill the modernization the government will probably have to raise that limit of $15 Billion, but they would only to that to acquire the next plane, and not go all out
so that leaves a low price purchase to maitian the 440 combat aircraft numbers (125 f-16, 250 JF-17, and 65 ???)
the best option therefore is the 30 Million dollar J-10; and for 65 planes that is a resonable $1.95 Billion
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and that totals $16.2-18.2 Billion, close to the hoped cost of 15 Billion (but wait, rememebr that $1 billion is us Aid will cover some cost, and government will try to save a few million in each deal), so the real range is probably $15-17 Billion (within reason of the hoped limit)
65 J-10
125 F-16
250 JF-17
Awacs
Elint
Refuelers
Modern SAM Network
Modern C4ISR
all within the PAF's modernization budget