iLION12345_1
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Not an entirely fair comparison. Just because a country isn’t making less capable versions doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t selling them. US sells older block F-16s and Older model AMRAAMs despite the existence of newer models, not so different from China making export versions that share the same tech as the latest ones, even if there are “downgrades” in performance. US doesn’t sell AIM120D to just anyone, they mostly sell older AIM120C models. They don’t sell F-16V to anyone. They will instead sell Older F-16C models (Argentina comes to mind most recently), it just depends on who they’re selling to. China does the same in cases, it has given Pakistan access to some versions of its technology in the past that it wouldn’t to others, and other times it has just given Pakistan the same weapon as it would give to any other country.
Agree - and this is why Pakistan is also looking to make more stuff at home and also grow its relationship with Turkey, who seems to be far less allergic to selling full versions of its systems to Pakistan and not downgraded export variants like China does. eg akinci drones.... latest and best that Turkey has and now in Pakistan...
The question you have to ask yourself - are the AMRAAMs that the Americans have sold to the PAF - downgraded export variants or fully fledged versions? Given that they were 2 for 2 in shooting down a Suk30MKI and Mig21 - they dont seem to have been comprimised?
I think western companies tend to not create downgraded versions for export as they need their products to sell themselves based on solid performance in combat - they simply will sell to you and if they can't - it will be because their goverment wont let you - ie they wont sell to you. Also - they will not sell select weapons eg DFRM pods for Pakistan - rather create a downgraded DRFM pod to "sell you Pakistan" - etc. It is a different approach. The products are the end products for western companies and a reflection of their brand reputation - so they need to perform - esp if all they sell is that product. For China, and Russia - they are goverment organisations who dont need to turn a profit as they have guaranteed revenue streams - so for them - export sales are a bonus and not necessary for their business model - hence they are not as concerned with their reputation.
China has sold E versions of the platforms to PAF which are "downgraded versions" with "reduced' specifications as shown in their literature. Lets not make up stuff by pretending they are any more than that. As to how reduced they are - is anyones guess..