serenity
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India already operates nearly 300 Su-30MKI, and is looking to upgrade them. Acquiring 100 or so J-10 should be seen in that context as well.
If the PAF plans to acquire 90 or more J-10s, they might as well retool the JF-17 production line to also produce the J-10. Best way to move up the value added chain (more structural composite production, more sub-system production such as the IRST, etc.) more and service our fighters domestically.
Local production could also make structural modifications more easier to perform.
We should not engage in a arms race with India. PAF does have its own requirements for modernization. We need currently replace 150 older fighter jets. Also I am not worried about IAF Rafale fleet but their 274 SU-30MKI's.
Yes this is the case when considering that this is India's most numerous 4th generation fighter but the MKI is not a 4.5 generation fighter. It is a fighter with 1990s technology development basis and 2000s build. Using 1980s technology basis Soviet missile systems with 2000s and 2010s build. This is thoroughly base line 4th generation but just better than the first two blocks of 4th generation. Think of them as between 4th gen and 4.5 gen.
JF-17 block 2 is in this league while block 3 is above that when it comes to electronics, radar, software, and missile systems. The major drawback of JF-17 is that it is a tiny fighter and its subsystems are budget and smaller (generally less powerful) ones even if modern.
However a JF-17 block 2 using PL-12 have technology advantage over Su-30MKI in missile performance but MKI simply has better energy, range, payload and flight performance to edge out on JF-17.
To counter MKI using J-10 would be spending too much money for PAF to be sensible. Block 3 induction delays mean there is only J-10 and newer upgrades to F-16 on the cards for countering Rafale and MKI.
Hi,
J-10 and JF-17's are an extremely cost effective combo---price per unit as well as price per flight hour.
With aesa radar equipped---PL15's and PL10's missiles---they are an extremely potent combo in the non 5th gen realm.
JF 17 aircrafts have one of the fastest spool up time for the engine ( startup to ready to fly ).
A JF17 starts up at Kamra and an SU30 stars up at Srinagar at the same time---. The JF17 will be target locking at sri nagar from the air even before the SU30 took off from the ground.
From initial start to 5000 ft is extremely crucial in any combat---. JF 17 can do it very quick. Professionals can jump in and correct me.
Su-30 has much better climb rate and thrust to weight ratio. It should get to positions faster than JF-17.