JF-17 was to create as a light weight fighter to replace A-5C, F-7s and older mirage.
Sir, producing an aircraft is not child play. PAF was embarking on a journey that would produce an aircraft for the first time which needed to be equivalent to US 3rd generation F-16 and modified by high end weapons to bring it
at par with any 4th generation aircraft. Limitations that PAF faced were financial, technical and technological hence it was decided that the aircraft needed to be designed as a light weight aircraft which would be later modified and upgraded to medium weight. As we all know PAF was on the same path as F-16 and SAAB Grippen were developed, PAF was handicapped because of technical issues in making an aircraft whereas USA and Sweden were making aircraft from the very first piston aircraft.
A-5 were designed as bombers but PAF had later upgraded them to multi-role. Hence their role had finished internationally with the introduction of multi-role aircraft like F-15, F-16, F-18, EFT, Grippen and Mirage 2000.
F-7 were interceptors hence still capable whereas Mirages were still very capable aircraft hence could be upgraded to a higher generation with minimum cost. This is the very reason still Mirages can be bought and upgraded.
We don’t have medium weight fighter to go against SU-30 and Rafale.
First of all one needs to understand what is the difference between light weight and medium weight fighter?
Aircraft are classified on these principles.
1) Type
2) Role
3) Weight
1) Type of aircraft
Trainer, Fighter, Bomber and Transport.
2) Role
Air Supremacy, Close Air Support, Ground attack. If an aircraft can do all these then it is called Multi-role.
3) Weight
Light, Medium and Heavy. Aircraft are certified on their Maximum performances in ISA conditions. Here maximum weight = empty weight + payload + fuel.
Empty weight includes everything except weapons and fuel.
Capability of an aircraft to outperform that of an adversary does not need to be classified in the same weight category because that would depend on the role being performed at that particular time. It is possible that a light weight aircraft in air to air out perform a medium or heavy weight aircraft if it is equipped with superior avionics and weapons as it would give light aircraft added advantage due to its smaller foot print.
We have been upgrading 40 years old mirage and trying get more F-16s while slowly building JF-17
Wars have multiple fronts which also include economics, Mirages and f-16 have become cost effective against their adversaries. Hence if 2 F-16 are lost to shoot down 1 Rafale still the financial loss would remain considerably lower than the adversary.
PAF long term planning is only limited to 5 years that’s why they are stuck with Mirage and F-16s.
Pakistani as a nation are only good at crisis management as we tend to live our lives on day to day basis.
project AZM is unknown....no official or unofficial information is available in public domain. only wishful thinking and fake stories on YouTube.
This was one of the reason in my earlier post had mentioned that this project could to shelved like other military projects that were highly classified.
I can post 10 fake news and articles published in last 10 years regarding PAF fighter acquisition...from F-16s to SU-30 and from Typhoon to mig-35.
When one does not have a sound direction and clarity of approach then this is bound to happen.