Dear members, Pakistan Airforce is operating with mixed fleet of older and newer generation jets. Pakistani Mirages and F-7s comprises more than 300 in number which will be retired in a decade or more than a decade.
Pakistan Airforce have initial plan to induct 150 JF-17s of different blocks. Procurement of new Thunders & Vipers can surely fill the gap but still after that, the space for 150-200 fighter jets will be available in PAF inorder to maintain current number strength. JF-17 Thunder & F-16 Fighting Falcon are modern 4th Gen jets no doubt and are capable to protect aerial frontiers of Pakistan but in my personal and humble opinion, only 2 platforms cannot fulfill this job.
Pakistan Airforce is testing and negotiating for new jets to replace its aging fleet and to counter the high tech procurement of adversary. Chinese whole J series with J-10, J-11, J-16, J-31 are all potent aircrafts and can be designed according to Pakistani requirements.
The main and common question of members of this forum is about availability of funds to procure 200 modern 4th Gen and 4.5th, 5th Gen jets. I think Pakistani government can arrange a 10 billion $ package for a decade long procurement plan. Payments can be arranged in 2 decades with a complete financial observation plan. Russian Su-35S is also a potential contender inorder to fill the gap of remaining 200 jets. But Except Russian and Chinese platforms, i am not observing any contender to join PAF in huge numbers.
Note: Its a personal opinion which can be debated but i don't know forums policy about personal opinions. I saw many other threads which are based on personal opinions that why i also wrote this one. Constructive and Positive debate from Pakistani me
mbers is expected