IceCold
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Even if I didn't know this and agree to, that Pakistan's expertise gained on F-16 was instrumental in JF-17s development, IceCold, that in no way explains the two things I mentioned.
1. Extraordinary capabilities of the company behind it, and for decades being on the cutting edge, with seemingly endless amount of money, research and arguably the best brains behind to achieve it. I quoted the REVENUE of one YEAR of the company being almost 1/3 of Pakistans nominal GDP, the extraordinary amount of research available to them already - let us get real, these things are not dented by Pakistan's experience with F-16. While however it can be a good platform for what it may be intended to do, against India, I do not question that.
2. What can be copied, or achieved is probably airframe, engines, thrust to weight ratio and other such flight dynamics. Even that is a commendable job if achieved, and going by what I have inferred till now - probably that has been already. IMO the advanced suit of Avionics newest F-16s are equipped with (I read somewhere about a possible AESA radar, or is it already integrated onboard the falcon now? though even without it... all others including the missile suit) - will literally bring everything down to dust for the thunder when American F-16s are pitted against it.
Dhruv do you remember the time period of the 90s when Pakistan was under the US sactions and during this time PAF was effected the most as the F-16 was our main workhorse and there were no spares for the F-16s and PAF was trying very hard to keep the birds alive.
so PAF definately developed the skills and experience that they moved on with it and using the CHinese expertise in aviation industry and our experience, we came out with the ultimate flying machine. I use the word ultimate because at the present stage its far better then the A/B types that we are using, it gives us our fist BVR capability and not to forget the most important aspect of it and that is the cost issue. Also while you mentioned the budget of the lockhead, i agree but remember Pakistan did not re-invent the wheel as in case of the Indian LCA, we are buying stuff on and off the shelve to be used on the JF. That saves cost and at the same time enhances the performance of the JF because those products are developed by the best firms in aviation field all around the world.
I hope that answers the question.