Chak Bamu
RETIRED MOD
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- Jan 3, 2013
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Forget f 16s ..
That is a platform we cannot modify and supplier wont give the needed upgrades...
Current f 16 will become legacy fighters in a decade.. Project azm shud b kicking in but we should be looking at a semi stealth heavy lifter as interim
I fully agree.
I am convinced that we will see J-10C (export version) in PAF colors because with induction of AESA equipped Rafales, PAF F-16 fleet would become vulnerable. The EW capabilities of Block-52 F-16 squadron may provide it with some option to survive an attack, but this carries an element of risk that should be unacceptable. Modern warfare without AESA & low RCS (< 1m^2) will soon be an exercise in futility, in the South Asian theater atleast. I doubt that we will see further air-warfare hostilities until IAF has inducted Rafales in meaningful numbers and that may not take very long. In this context, looking for used F-16s would be counter-productive.
JF-17 Block-III would bring a lot of value, but if it does not match Rafale in all departments (except payload & range), PAF would need to induct another platform. Project Azm may not mature fast enough. Therefore, IMV, J-10C would be needed before long.
Pakistan would not be able to afford J-31 and if PAF does indeed get it, I doubt the number would go beyond a squadron - too few to make a major dent.
Remember, IAF can out-spend PAF. Being smarter may not carry the same advantages it did many decades ago.