Bilal Khan (Quwa)
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I don't doubt the Mirage III/5 is a great design for strike, but I still think the JF-17 will become the main attack platform, at least tactically or conventionally. Basically, it's an issue of finding/developing the right types of air-to-ground weapons for the JF-17, not much else (besides integration and testing).Trying to read in between the lines of @airomerix I think it seems a large number of Mirages will be upgraded as such an extensive upgrade for a few only would not make sense.
The only point not left clear is if the RD-93 will be integrated ala Cheetah. If so, it would be incredible as the logistics would be simplified and performance significantly enhanced, particularly range.
The benefit of upgrading the Mirages, however, is that it would give the PAF dozens of additional strike platforms to use in addition to its multi-role assets (read: JF-17). Like, if you can have that extra firepower, why not go for it?
Personally, even if the JF-17 fully matures, and even if the NGFA can carry the strike load, I'd still keep 72-90 Mirage III/5s on hand as wartime strike assets.