araz
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2006
- Messages
- 9,291
- Reaction score
- 81
The only realistic option is to get more JFTs.M3/5s dont have the legs and upgrades will require funding which could suddenly run into 100s of millions. Same problem with J7s and the most advanced AESA will not change the short leggedness of the fighter.Let us imagine a worst case scenario for the PAF:
1. India buys more Rafales - numbers go up to 100
2. It upgrades comprehensively and comes up with a new game plan
3. PAF doesn't have the budget to follow suit, no new aircraft type can be inducted. Azm is 10 years away and block 3 is operationally 2 years away.
4. PAF will not only face a qualitative problem but a quantitative one, with retiring airframes of Mirages and F-7s
What could PAF do?
MIX IT UP: PAF could play the strategy of a variety bowler. It can introduce low cost BVR UCAVs and strike UCAVs. It can bring in LRSAMs into the mix. This could simply be Nasr-like missiles with multiple SD-10s carried within, or S-200 level local SAMs. The difference they would make would be that ingressing IAF aircraft would have to spend extra effort to dodge them or to release their strike loads.
Increase the number of threat axis for ingressing IAF aircraft.
MODERNIZE LEGACY AIRCRAFT: PAF can re-manufacture Mirages, comprehensively. With Block 2 and Block 1 JFT being upgraded, these Mirages could receive the radar and avionics package of the block 1/2 JFTs and become potent air defence aircraft.
PAF could also buy an additional 50 F-7PGs, could be bought second hand from retiring Chinese stock for pennies or given even for free. These could be upgraded with a small AESA radar. The main problem that the F-7s / MiG-21s have faced for so long is that their nose is not big enough for a decent radar. This problem has recently been solved with air-breathing, low cost GaN AESA radars. Such radars would allow the F-7PGs to shoot SD-10s at decent BVR ranges.
Upgraded such, PAF F-7PGs would get a new lease of life and act as point defence fighters and Close Air Support aircraft for the PA.
INCREASE PRODUCTION OF BLOCK 3s: This I think is a long awaited upgraded and should be a no-brainer.
USE E-BOMBS: IAF has been using increasingly large formations against PAF. A well-placed E-bomb would fry the electronics of such a formation. Would almost be an e-bomb SAM.
SCARE THEM: Get some JH-7As for strike, and pay visits to near Mumbai and Goa in the way that the Russians use their BEARs. This would expose the weakness of their radar network and defenses in the Southern Command, forcing IAF to put its valuable resources defending this sector rather than acting aggressively up north.
Regards