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J-16 Flanker


J-16 1601 prototype. It was first rumored in August 2010 that SAC is developing a 3.5 generation heavy multi-role fighter bomber for PLAAF based on J-11BS. The aircraft can be viewed as an upgraded version of Su-30MKK (see above) based on its mission and capability, which is comparable to American F-15E. First flight was rumored to have taken place in late 2011. Several prototypes were built. Like Su-30MKK, J-16 features a retractable IFR probe on the port side of the nose to increase its range. As the result the IRST/LR systm was offset from the center to the starboard side. The aircraft also has twin nose wheels due to increase of the TO weight. J-16 has tandem seats with a WSO sitting in the backseat. It features an enhanced fire-control radar inside a gray radom with additional AG modes. A new ECM system may have been installed as well. Like J-11BS, it is also powered by two WS-10 turbofans. Besides PL-8, PL-10 and PL-12 AAMs, it could also carry the same precision guided weapons being carried by JH-7A, such as KD-88 ASM and LS-500J LGB. Compared to JH-7A, J-16 is expected to have a more powerful radar (AESA from 607 Institute?), a greater weapon load (8t) and a longer range (4,000km). Since spring 2013 the 1603 prototype has been seen undergoing tests at CFTE, carrying a PL-10 AAM.

- Last Updated 6/15/12

i'm wondering if PAF has evaluated this option......it may be too early since it is in prototype stage...


old pics mate....i doubt if these helos are in service!
 
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Twin-seat JF-17(model?poster?)on display at the latest Paris Air Show。
 
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Why is Paf only interested in light weight helicopters?
 
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Why is Paf only interested in light weight helicopters?

PAF don't have helos i guess……
Army Aviation have helos and Army never intended to built a considerable helos force and are just dependant on US for attack helos…
maybe after gaining Super cobras as a replacement for AH/1Z Arky can take a look on chineese or Turks…
Russians are never going to supply pak with helos in near future or PA will prefer them…
 
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Regional environment demands an ever-vigilant PAF: air chief


ISLAMABAD: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt Thursday said the regional environment demanded an ever-vigilant role for Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

Addressing the combat crew at the closing ceremony of PAF Triennial Command level Air Exercise Saffron Bandit at an operational air base, he said that presently, in the face of security challenges, PAF preparedness and response had to be precise and expeditious.

“It is through the rigorous training imparted by exercises like Saffron Bandit that we look forward to maintain the cutting edge of the PAF”, he added.

The Chief of the Air Staff, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said, “We are a peace-loving nation, but fully prepared to defend the integrity and solidarity of our motherland.”

Accentuating the nature of the aerial warfare, the Air Chief emphasised, “Combat training in the PAF is maintained at the highest pedestal of realism and responsiveness to meet the contemporary challenges. You must utilise the experiences gained in the best possible manner,” he added.

He said, “While our quest to modernise PAF continues, we must remember that our generation will have to work even harder and offer greater sacrifices than the earlier ones”.

The Air Chief further said, “The nature of aerial warfare continues to rise in complexity under a time compressed environment, and PAF being a professional outfit is totally focused on it. As the nation pins high hopes in PAF, we must never let it down.”

The eight-month long Exercise Saffron Bandit commenced in October 2012. PAF has been conducting this since 1994.

This time, the environment was unique where modern capabilities of PAF were operating under one umbrella for the first time. Army Aviation and Army Air Defence were also deployed for undertaking the exercise.

The prime objective of the exercise was to excel in the air combat capability with focus on air power employment in any future conflict.

The hallmark of the exercise was the participation of JF-17 Thunders in the concluding cycle of exercise Saffron Bandit for the first time. The combat crew from various operational squadrons comprising F-7PGs, Mirages, F-16s and JF-17 Thunders participated in the exercise. JF-17 Thunders operated in multiple configurations alongside other PAF platforms in various combat/support roles which encompassed all spheres of aerial warfare in near war like environments. agencies

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
 
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Pakistan May Speed AF Procurements Despite Economy

ISLAMABAD — Despite its crippling economic situation, Pakistan may be forced to fund its Air Force’s most important procurement programs on an emergency basis, or at least ensure sufficient finances for their regular progress.

Salma Malik, assistant professor in the Department of Defence & Strategic Studies, at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, said the “linkage between economic progress, energy sufficiency and security as well as physical security” has never before been so deeply felt in Pakistan.

This is highlighted by the predicament facing the Air Force, which has not received any finances for its modernization efforts since 2007 under the Armed Forces Development Plan 2025 (AFDP2025).

Also, it has received only a portion of its allocated share of the general defense budget under the recently ousted Pakistan People’s Party government.

In addition to the financial woes, Malik highlights the “qualitative” and “quantitative edge” of the India Air Force developed through “upgrades or procurements.”

Though not dismissing the myriad problems facing the Indians, she particularly highlighted the potential purchase of the French Rafale as the “most concerning for Pakistan.”

However, though she acknowledged that Air Force equipment is very expensive, the length of time between ordering a weapon such as a fighter aircraft and having it enter front-line service, dictates a “sense of urgency.”

Malik says this was most likely impressed upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, by the head of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, during a June 13 meeting, and therefore “some allocation might happen straightaway.”

This emergency funding, Malik believes, could be injected into programs formulated in response to Indian developments, like the AFDP2025, to get them back on track and funded regularly.

If this does come about then the main focus, according to analyst Usman Shabbir of the Pakistan Military Consortium think tank, will be the building of more JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, “and inducting them into service fast to replace old Mirages and F-7 Fishbeds.”

He notes that pre-2007 programs have given the Air Force some breathing space.

“The air defense system has been upgraded with new radars and [command and control nodes, refuelers are in service, AEW&C are inducted, [beyond visual range] capability is acquired, Crotale SAM replacement is inducted.”

However, in the medium to long term, there are still concerns as the planned number of JF-17s has been slashed from 275 or 250 down to 150, which will not replace the current obsolete Mirages and F-7s on a one-for-one basis.

The J-10B/FC-20 program will also need to start progressing, and there is still a need for long-range SAMs, plus more Il-76 transport aircraft.

The FC-20 was supposed to enter service in the middle of the decade to form a high tech “spear tip” for Pakistani air power, but there appears to have been no progress with procurement.

Economic revival will dictate most action.

Among other economic woes, Pakistan is gripped by a crippling circular debt problem where the government and independent power producers owe each other huge amounts of money, hampering electricity generation to kick-start the economy.

The new government pledged to end this situation within 60 days of coming to power.

Analyst and former Army officer Ikram Sehgal is optimistic this will happen now that the previous government has been ousted from power.

“I have confidence that the economy will be turned around,” he said.

“The Pakistan economy is the most resilient in the world. If the [government of the PPP] could not bring it to its knees, then nothing can. It’s a question of management.”
 
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However, in the medium to long term, there are still concerns as the planned number of JF-17s has been slashed from 275 or 250 down to 150, which will not replace the current obsolete Mirages and F-7s on a one-for-one basis

Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/pakist...-force-news-discussions-59.html#ixzz2WvCUPbIB

this is a wrong assumption by the analyst - JFT capabilities exceed those of the F7s and older Mirages, therefore a one-to-one replacement is not envisioned by the PAF.
 
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Saturday, June 22, 2013


PAF ever ready against internal, external security threats: air chief


ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt on Friday said that the PAF as an integral part of the security apparatus, and as the first line of physical defence, is expected to continue peacetime training while ensuring optimum operational preparedness against internal and external threats.

Addressing the student officers of Naval War Course at Pakistan Naval War College in Lahore, the air chief unfolded his vision on the development and modernisation of Pakistan Air Force to meet the ever-demanding challenges of the 21st century.

He said, “Foreseeing the challenges posed to Pakistan and particularly to the PAF, my vision is to prepare a force competent to face present and future challenges with full capacity to absorb future technologies. It should be a force with a human resource that is experienced and empowered to handle modern day warfare across the entire spectrum.”

The air chief said that the effectiveness of an air force was as good as the quality and performance of its personnel. “We have, therefore, always trained hard and would continue to do so for achieving optimum performance to maintain our edge through professional excellence,” he added.

He said, “In spite of our extensive commitments, both in combat and non-combat operations, we continue to participate in a number of exercises inland and abroad, with an aim to gain confidence on our new systems and benefit from experience of modern forces and practising modern employment concepts.”

While emphasising the jointness as a key to success the air chief said that modern wars were fought jointly. “Our emphasis has remained on achieving synergy of effort among the three services.” He said that joint exercises such as ‘Azm-e-Nau’, ‘Al-Mizan’, ‘Sea Spark’, ‘Sea Spark Aman’ and ‘Shamsheer-e-Behr’, and closer coordination with Pak Army, especially in “our current operations, are testimony to this cooperation”. Earlier on arrival, the air chief was received by Rear Admiral Kaleem Shaukat, the commandant of the Naval War College, Lahore. app


lets hope so - recent events dont support his words...!
 
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Is PAF going to reduce it aircraft strength? Why are they comparing Thunders with Mirages or F7's, they should be looking to reduce the gap between adversary (IAF) numbers and quality that they will face in any conflict.


However, in the medium to long term, there are still concerns as the planned number of JF-17s has been slashed from 275 or 250 down to 150, which will not replace the current obsolete Mirages and F-7s on a one-for-one basis

Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/pakist...-force-news-discussions-59.html#ixzz2WvCUPbIB

this is a wrong assumption by the analyst - JFT capabilities exceed those of the F7s and older Mirages, therefore a one-to-one replacement is not envisioned by the PAF.
 
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Is PAF going to reduce it aircraft strength? Why are they comparing Thunders with Mirages or F7's, they should be looking to reduce the gap between adversary (IAF) numbers and quality that they will face in any conflict.

in an ideal situation....PAF would like to maintain 20-22 Combat Squadron comprising....

Modern;
77.....F-16A/B/C/D.....multi-role
32.....J-10B/FC-20.....multi-role
150...JFT.................multi-role

Secondary;
40.....Mirage-ROSE....Strike
60.....F-7PG.............ADA

this leaves a 'gap' of a minimum of 37 to a maximum of 73 aircraft. to close this gap, the choice at this time is from buying further F-16s or J-10Bs or JFT's. these are the 'affordable' platfroms for the PAF.
 
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