I read this in the Daily Times today. It's an article by Kamran Safi. Is there any truth to this? I am asking any Air Force types to answer this, please
ââ¬ÅWhat worries him specifically (other than the US being able to stop the supply of spares whenever) is that these F-16s will not have EW (electronic warfare) programming capabilities for its RWR (radar warning receiver). Our F-16s have a pre-installed threat library that is able to identify only non-NATO aircraft using its RWR. It has been observed that our F-16s could not detect being locked onto by a Mirage 2000 (since thatââ¬â¢s a NATO aircraft) while the Chinese built F-6 could. This was because of the above-mentioned limitation in the EW capability of the F-16 supplied (i.e. it cannot be reprogrammed). What this would mean is that an enemy airplane fitted with BVR (beyond visual range) missiles, can lock on to our F-16s and fire a missile without the F-16 being able to take evasive measures. This would make even the most sophisticated aircraft (with all the manoeuvrability in the world) a sitting duck.
ââ¬ÅHis concern is that in the current technological revolution, the age-old concept of dogfights and pilotââ¬â¢s skill is no longer an integral part of having mastery of the skies. Unfortunately, most of our PAF high ups are usually GD pilots and have a ââ¬Åjingoisticââ¬Â vein where they think their skill and superior manoeuvrability is all they need to teach the enemy a lesson. They donââ¬â¢t seem to appreciate that the paradigm has shifted in air warfare.
ââ¬ÅHaving no capability to re-program the EW systems in these most advanced fighters is like giving someone a super-duper Pentium Core Duo system with a 29-inch LCD screen and the best sound system in the world; and then to only allow the user to browse the Web on it. Using this same analogy, wouldnââ¬â¢t it be preferable to have a Pentium 3 with the capability of writing your own code and interfacing your own peripheral devices?
ââ¬ÅThe bottom line is that we want to ask the government this question: ââ¬ËIs the PAF being provided the capability to reprogram the EW threat library?ââ¬â¢ A simple yes or no is all we need because then we can hold them accountable to a folly that may cost us, not only the billions spent on the deal (and the millions received in kickbacks?), but also the fate of our nation in the near future.