During Kargil, Iaf did retrofit its Mig-21 fleet with PGMs .I am talkin about the BIS series and the upgradation did continue for a few more years .The operations were carried out in parallel with Mirages which too can carry PGMs.
I have articles from IAF folks who said that a total of 7 LGBs were used in Kargil and all of the LGB deliveries were by the Mirage 2000. None of the other aircraft had any role to play in the PGM delivery aside from Mirage 2000 in 1999.
Apart from these two types, Jaguars are soon to be fitted with Rafael lightening pods .MIG-29 fleet is currently undergoing upgradation in Russia and PGM are very much part of the whole process. SU-30 comes with that capability .even if I include just Mig-21 and SU-30 with Mirages they certainly adds up to more than quarter of a stike force currently. MIG-29k, the naval version comes in fitted with the said munition.
A lot of near futures and distant futures in the above part, quite similar to the logic you used about what PAF will get, we will have to see with regards to the J-series ordnance. I was stating what is on hand currently and that leaves out a vast majority of the IAF fleet which has no precision surface attack capability.
If i am looking at a future time frame when pakistan gets its upgraded F-16 and new aircrafts, then we shall have to consider MRCA too.The first upgraded F-16 is expected to enter servce with PAF around 2011 and India goin for off the shelf purchase startin 2012.
I am not comparing. Because that is a never ending discussing. Just clarifying certain points in your post.
To have a neutral opinion it all depends on what Pakistan can get cleared for and what India buys. Both planes can conduct the same roles.
Pakistan no longer is bound to "clearance" from the Americans. The alternates are available to Pakistan just the same as India. For Air-to-air, we can go the Chinese or the French route (others are available as well). For surface attack, the Chinese are producing some very excellent PGM hardware. So platforms aside, armament and pods that enhance the platform are plenty on the market.
Look Blain,Mirage 2000 costs more and the USA gives F-16s away...
Turning and such the F-16 has it low and the Mirage 2000 has it up high. It would depend on AWACs and such to tip the scales to one or the other. The Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2 also has a very capable ECM system and a damn capable radar.
Without a doubt SA would give one the edge over the other. PAF liked the Mirage 2000 as well and it was the dash-5 package that PAF requested the government of Benazir Bhutto to purchase for Pakistan back in 1995. I am not putting down the aircraft, just that the American hardware is usually preferred for a bunch of reasons and usually being the best bet for the buck, it edges out quite a bit of competition.
The F-16 can carry more heavy bombs due to better/more wing loading points. It is not uncommon to see and F-16 with 4 AIM-120s, 2 GBU-10s, 3 drop tanks and 1 LDP. You can't do that with a Mirage. You can do one GBU-10, 3 MICA EM, 2 MICA IE, 2 drop tanks and one LDP. Or you can switch the GBU-10 for 2 GBU-12s and switch the F-16s 2 GBU-10s for 6 GBU-12s. I'm using the older LGBs as an example because I am lazy.
I agree, but that is why I say that F-16 is a better MR platform than the Mirage 2000. I read a HAF pilot stating that Mirage is a good platform but Viper is a better all rounder.
Yet the Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2s standoff strike weapons come a lot easier as France is more willing to export them. The Apache (anti runway) has an 80 mile range and one can be carried with 6 MICAs and 2 drop tanks and the Scalp EG has a 155 mile range can carry the same missile/drop tank loadout. The F-16 has a better all weather ability with the JDAM as the AASM is not combat ready. But one needs to be damn close to get clearence for the JDAM. Yet when the AASM gets ready it would no doubt be easier to get.
Not sure why you think JDAM is such a big deal? It is no longer the case. Instead of LGBs, most purchases right now are for JDAMs. JDAM kits are being sold by the US to many countries big and small.
The US has released AMRAAMs to Pakistan. JDAMs are a much less complex technology and the natural evolution to the American origin LGB ordnance in the inventory of many Air Forces including Pakistan's. US will sell to both Pakistan and India if the latter ever so desired.
Rather close in air to air combat. Taiwanese Air Force uses the Mirage 2000-5EI as their standard intercpetor and the F-16A B-20 (B-52 avoinics) as their striker. The Mirage 2000 is a highly rated fighter by the air forces that fly it.[/SIZE]
I agree. M2K is a great aircraft and I wish PAF had bought some, however both aircraft offer different capabilities. Also on the topic of ROC F-16s, I do not believe their aircraft are flying Blk 52 avionics. They are using APG-66 V4 radars (fairly old radars) and have certain components such as HUD etc. which are similar to the later blocks of the F-16s.