Hi,
Is it possible to make the F16 A/B into an F16 BLK52---?
The JF-17 Block-III is not an analogue to the Block-30/32 to the Block-5/10/15.
Rather, the JF-17 Block-III shares the same core design of the Block-I and Block-II, but has some different internals (enabling for fully digital FBW, etc).
However, it isn't a fundamentally different fighter like the Block-30/32 line (which spawned the Block-40/42, 50/52, etc) is to the A/B Blocks. There's no new engine, there aren't massive changes to the payload, etc.
I had said this before, but the Block-III isn't the JF-17 equivalent to the F-16C/D or the Gripen E/F -- the latter two are different designs to their respective predecessors.
The Block-III continues with what's there, but brings the essential capabilities (e.g. AESA radar, HMD/S, etc) to the platform.
Actually, the JF-17 Block-III is the analogous equivalent to what the F-16 Block-70/72 is to the Block-50/52, i.e. same core design, but with some different internals that can be added to the older frame via a significant upgrade and/or rebuild.
Alternatively, think of what the Cheetah is to the Mirage III, i.e. substantially improved tech and physical capabilities, but ultimately, built on the same core design (Mirage III), and the proof is the fact that the Cheetah was built from SAAF Mirage IIIs.
The JF-17's strategic imperative was always to be the workhorse fighter that would fly in concert with larger aircraft such as the F-16 and FC-20. Yes, the latter got canned, but be it Block-I, II or III, the underlying design intent is a constant.
That constant will change with Project Azm, which has a different strategic imperative than the JF-17, i.e. genuine autonomy. In other words, there's no expectation of Azm having to work in concert with or rely on another platform, it'll do the essentials and, in turn, will have the necessary range, payload and technology.