You have a valid point but I think it is very unfair to reject a fighter just because it may not have a relevant pod yet available. It after all has the benefits of source codes available to us which allows us to integrate any weapon or pods we want to integrate. Also when it come to stand-off ranges and munitions, what it provides and can provide is not yet available to us on any other platform we have.
Also it is not fair to use our every action in regards of F-16 to conclude things for JF-17. We have a big number of F-16s and we have rich experience of operating them. Why should we not do efforts to keep them updated and useful until they become obsolete and ready for retirement. Also thousands of them are going to be available in market sooner or later, keeping our worries of spares and attritions low.
I think there are reasons, not associated with the performance of JF-17, for these kind of impressions being built. First is we are new in the market of exporting jets and have not yet learned the tricks of the trade yet. Big ones I think is, making lot of marketing buzz and noise about what you have on offer and criticising and be-littleing what your competitor has on offer. I remember hearing a discussion about MK-2000s where guys were discussing their experience against MK-2000 and even a US pilot with lots of viper's experience was surprised by his experiences in this regard and question being debated was, was it the men behind the machine or the machine itself.
Also I suspect a sort of bias and prejudice involved, whether it is matter of nuclear or conventional weapons they some how think we are incapable of making anything and if we have done that it must be low grade and shitty.
I think that they are taking future competition from JF-17 so seriously that it will be tough to get good pods and other integrations from French especially and west in general.
I think your impression is not correct. JF-17 has three wet points for drop tanks and that actually is a good thing. AG operations will have drop tank attached, actually show me any operational scenario except a quick scramble to defend your base where you initially do not have a drop tank attached. Also look at Rafale, it is considered to have such a long range, but I do not know a single operational scenario where it will not be carrying a drop tank and most probably two or three.
Best way to get an idea about lift and engine efficiency and therefore possible loiter times is to look at what ferry ranges manufacturer provides. combat ranges are all dependant upon played configurations and useless to discuss on a forum.
Smoke is not indicative of low fuel efficiency but after burner design. Its engine is based on MK 33 which is regarded as very efficient engine, because of modifications to increase its dry and wet thrust that results in higher SFC but is not such a cause of concern. An AL 31 will still guzzle much more fuel than a juiced up 93. Also I think that latest upgrades from MK 33 will appear in 93 as well in future.
FLIR pods is an issue but I think the bigger thing is that we most probably do not want just an FLIR pod but one with an integrated IRST package as well. Lets see how things work out in this regard.
Sir,
There is a folly in building this aircraft and there is utility in its manufacture.
The folly is that there is no oversigth---the paf is blundering into making pitches that are more damaging to the aircraft---presenting the aircraft when it was not ready---.
What I have assessed so far---and I have deep access---there is no knowledgeable DEVIL'S ADVOCATE in either of the defence forces----.
There is a major lack of knowledge and understanding of the americans---and it has not changed---because there is none to tell them otherwise---.
There was no one to tell them that France would not supply them the radars etc for the JF17----they were anxiously waiting till the last moment---but the french had looked the other way long before that---. Only the air force did not see that.
The french punished the paf in their own manner---by keeping the paf on the leash for the longest and cutoff the umbilical cord right at the last moment---.
The world heard the screams of the paf at that failure---but did they learn something out of it---they did not---it is not in their psyche---they don't know how to learn.
And the thing is they don't need to---they need to keep flying but they need to create a group who knows and can adjust to changing environment.
It is not about renting your property for 5000 or 10000 dollars a month to defence contractors.
As for the F16's---they are not sanction proof---this time the sanctions would be electronic. The moment your data link is up---you will be sabotaged.
I don't understand that why you guys don't get it---we at the car dealerships in the U S were putting tracking devices on people's cars for over a decade LOJACK and similar devices---.
In the last decade---there are kill switches that teh finance company wants to be installed on cars for people who have RISKY CREDIT---. When the VIN of a vehicle is clicked on---it bring out the exact location of the vehicle and where it is headed---. The state law is---that the kill switch cannot be activated while the car is on the road---it has to be in a parking lot or the person driveway or parked on the side of the street.
All cars with bluetooth devices now can be sabotaged by hackers. You don't have hydraulic power steering inmost cars now adays---you have an ELECTRIC MOTOR assist power steerings---you don't have an accelerator cable---but you have an electric wire that gives an electric impulse---you don't have vaccuum boosters on your cars---but have an electric pump that pumps the valve---.
So---your steering control is gone---your speed control is gone---your break control is gone---oh---you have the lane change sensors and automatic breaking for accident avoidance---and an infra red seeker in the front for night driving---and an electronic sensor to keep the distance between you the the vehicle in front of you.
And vehicles with equipment have been sabotaged----you can see the videos on the internet---.
The F16 is a fascinating aircraft---for the paf to utilize it to the maximum---it will have to find a different aircraft in parallel with the F16---otherwise---it means that the paf has intentionally sabotaged the procurement of a potent aircraft---.
Which I firmly believe that they have been doing since 2002.