Kompromat
ADMINISTRATOR
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Sir, is such an option indeed on the table for PAF or is it your assumption based on Sino-pak relationships? And assuming we do then, what kind of expertise or knowledge could we bring to such a project?
There is certainly chatter among the blue caps in regards to a strategic induction of a 5th gen platform. My hunch is that Indian Rafale is going to be delayed and won't arrive in full strength before 2022-23. PAF will mitigate the threat by procuring surplus F-16s in numbers then inducting them after MLU. This will boost PAF's fighting abilities, morale and would take burden off the JF-17s so the PAF would seek to develop it much more vigorously in further blocks. PAF in my opinion wants to have as many F-16s as it can get to replace F-7Ps while the JF-17 will replace the Mirages. More F-16s also add more capability to the JF-17s when flying in a team. Together they can take care of anything IAF has to throw including the Rafale.
If my assessment is correct then, PAF would save up (good if more JFT, Mushak exports come along) to opt for project the 31001 instead of the J-10B/C.