We do need Gripen, EF or F16 Block 70/72 type stop gap measure, and also learn from these technologies to boost our Project Azm, We are wrongly putting all eggs in one basket.
I am of the view realistically PAF will extend F16 life but only the Block 50/52 will serve us with extended life, with only 75 or so total F16s left after one crash, it's a very short number in our inventory, what are we going to do even if Project Azm comes on today, it will take another 10 years to start production and final prototype clearance. PAF needs more F16 or any other stop gap measure as soon possible.[/USER]
Put into equation 12 Rafale's or even 36 all coming our borders to attack, Can our F16, JF17 countered also the Su30mki's, Mirage 2000 and Rafale all at once in a given war scenario, here our F16s and JF17s are no match in the this case. A skirmish or two we won, think of an Aerial Battle with all EW warfare, and large number of jets.
PL-15 has shown that it has long range missile, but I feel it is not battle tested, how accurate it is when in long ranges?, you can judge how reliable it is to trust on Chinese tech given to Pakistan, when PAF used only American F16s for shooting down 2 IAF jet with AIM-120C Missiles.
We do need Gripen, EF or F16 Block 70/72 type stop gap measure, and also learn from these technologies to boost our Project Azm, We are wrongly putting all eggs in one basket.
I am of the view realistically PAF will extend F16 life but only the Block 50/52 will serve us with extended life, with only 75 or so total F16s left after one crash, it's a very short number in our inventory, what are we going to do even if Project Azm comes on today, it will take another 10 years to start production and final prototype clearance. PAF needs more F16 or any other stop gap measure as soon possible.[/USER]