FuturePAF
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Why we need a testbeds @FuturePAF and both China and Pakistan haven't any overhaul facilitates and one think for sure if Russia will not permit to resale of Pakistan, what happen than @FuturePAF
we are facing serious threats in form of RAFALE and might be in form of F-35 we need a interim jets ASAP, which would be either J-10C/J-16 or MIG-35 as for F-35 J-31 would be there @FuturePAF
The J-20 is currently operational, but obviously it has room to improve in terms of sensor fusion and its electronics. Per USAF and US Marine Pilots, who are flying the F-35, stealth fighters tactics are different then 4th generation fighters.
It is PAF that choose to go with the JF-17 instead of the J-10. They seem to believe the JF-17's air-frame is good enough, and they are focusing on the weapons, electronic components, and fighter tactics. The JF-17 is also a budget conscious design. Sharing the same chief designer as the J-10 and J-20, the design limitations of the JF-17 are self-imposed, because if the PAF wants to it can go forward with one of the fan-boy art design, the Chinese could do it. Therefore, other than the airframe limitations, the JF-17 can have (albiet smaller versions) all the same equipment as the J-10. The JF-17 should be the last 4th generation fighter type the PAF procures, because PAF needs to focus on qualitative advantages.
We need to find out where we need to be with a 5th generation fighter, where the J-31 stands today, and what kind of timeline would allow the J-31 to get to where we need it to be. Remember the J-20 is operational. It has an initial capability that satisfies the PLAAF, so it can be deployed operationally. Also the JF-17 and the J-31 will share the same engine types, so PAF pushing the J-31 along in all aspects will trickle down to the JF-17.
The idea of the Mig-29 test-beds is for PAF to identify in its own domain, what it needs its future 5th generation fighter to be able to do. PAF can start doing that this year. It can test out sub-systems from Chinese companies and give them feedback. The Mig-29 is a cheaper air-frame with similar final engines and size to the plane we intent to procure, hence why its is ideal to stand in for the J-31 in the PAF's portion of the J-31 program.
The Mig-29s from Sudan would be on a 3 year Lease. never sold to the PAF. While the PAF borrows 4 Mig-29s, it could lease Sudan 4-8 JF-17s to cover their gap. If at the end of the 3 year program, the Sudanese are happy with the JF-17s they could buy them or return them.
The Mig-29s would come back overhauled structurally, and their sub-systems could be returned to original condition or kept with the upgraded systems, if the Sudanese want. This is just a potential side project to sell more to the Sudanese.
The Russians could try to block a lease, and so some procurement of weapons and new sub-systems may need to be made with them to appease them. China would have to be asked to use its diplomatic pressure to convince them Russia to go along.
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You are worried about the Rafales coming this year. I agree that is indeed concerning, but more 4th generation fighters will not change the status quo much. it would hold the PAF back in 4th generation tactics. If we need fighters ASAP we can ask China to lease some of theirs. Leasing some J-10s and/or J-11s for 5 years, until the J-31 matures, could a prudent way for the PAF to cover that gap.
If the PAF commits to the J-31 program, we could see a prototype with all the design modifications (like side bays) and electronics equipment fit fly in a couple years, with a finalized operational design possibly the year after that. In 4 years time, we could see the first full squadron, and one more squadron per year each year after that.
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