We as a nation, have confidence on our boys, but couple of things here i would share;
Rafale / Meteor =
X / PL
BUT we ain't finding the answer to the
"X" part above & that is what worries many here.
Now CAS himself saying that it wiil be catered but how?? We ain't asking to share war plans, tactics or details of EW, but it is also our right as a nation to ask / inquire what is being done / procured to counter a good, capable weapon we know our foe is getting.
Probable Solution for
X ??
In my non professional opinion, following are the realistic solutions PAF can go for;
1) As
@MastanKhan has said before,
Procure 3 even 4 Thunders (& now we are about to have newer block) for every rafale, quantity is a quality of its own. We can get 3,4 birds in a price of 1 Rafale.
India despite having huge resources, still have them in finite amount.
Use the production line in China or better yet set up an other one in Kamra. Export orders plus increased demand for PAF will bring per unit price even lower, Economy of Scale.
2)Again,
@MastanKhan and many other members have said before;
If shit is about to hit the fan, just get J--10C, off the shelf. I know many will say about inventory management/pilot & tech training/developing tactics but it's the most realistic scenario.
Add the factor that it will take IAF good number of years as well to master their new bird as well. You have to start somewhere & I don't think PAF ain't that dumb that they haven't played with J-10 already.
3) A bit difficult but not impossible
Get a Squad of new Block 70 Vipers and you will also be allowed to upgrade the old ones, as USA ain't letting u just upgrade the old ones alone until you buy new as well.
Also going this path, you can make USA agree to let us buy used ones from Jordan or whoever else is retiring them.
Before anyone points out that 3rd option is not possible, let me say that You have to make it possible and it is possible, make realize the sane minds in Pentagon and Washington that balance of Power has to be kept in check in South Asia and only their tech can do it and out class French one for us.
And as much as the question of $$, we should manage that much even if USA ain't letting our CSF be used for this, to hell with it, just get what you need. For a greater good, sometimes you have to let go your right, see the bigger picture, keep in mind your end goal.
Also we should not put all our eggs in one basket,
Diversification is a good thing and especially when it comes to
tech / weapon innovation & who is the best in it ?
. I think the reason PAF is happy with Thunder is because we were trained by the best & on the best & all that knowledge / experience went in project scope of Thunder.
Despite being in bad economic shape, we can manage, PAF can manage $$ for Vipers.How?? Just to give an idea , a single point among many is;
a)We don't have to pay upfront, the complete cost at once.
b)We are called beggars (not being proud
), so what difference does it make if it's a penny, barrels of oil or a vault. Make sure Pakistan did not attend Malaysia summit for nothing.
@MastanKhan I have a hunch that you will bring this up but, No, sir don't bring up again the Yemen
(ain't saying I was in favour or against it) But that ship has sailed, what's done is done, let's look what we can do now.
c)..... Add up, can't spoon feed
Brothers can agree or disagree, add their own opinions as well. I don't claim I know better than the professionals or think tanks but surfing on PDF years and years, accounting for current geo political scenario, this is the conclusion I have reached upon.
