Pakistan Airforce's Game Changing Moment - "JF-17" Thunder

[AMRAAM]

Pakistan Airforce's Game Changing Moment - "JF-17" Thunder

GRAND 10 YEAR Anniversary

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It was just after 1999 , and Pakistan had been sanctioned after being a long term supporter of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. For most people in Pakistan , it was a shock , considering , Pakistan was a general helpful nation in term of Global viewpoint on Afghanistan. Yet Pakistan was now on the wrong side of Sanctions.

The 1985 Pressler Amendment, had been quietly initiated in USA which impacted Pakistan's national Defense needs even after being a long term supporter of Global Peace missions
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/taliban/pakistan/uspolicychart.html


However these moments , Pakistan really was forced to examine the reality that for their own National Defense they need to continually improve their own Local Means to acquire weapons for soul purpose of National Defense.

During this time period the Thinkers in Pakistan initiated a Program to Give rise to the Joint Fighter 17 Program , As Pakistan was dealing with the reality of aging Mirage V fleet which was a wonderful platform in 70's but but the 2000's the age on the craft was beginning to show their impact.

Fast Forward , 2010 , Pakistan was flying JF17 , all it took was a realization that we needed to get something done in 80's and eventually with in 20 years we had our first Major Fighter Jet program.


Today almost 135+ Thunders , guard the Skies of Pakistan , from the Deserts of Balochistan to the Peaks of Pakistani Himalayas

135+ , JF17 Block II
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Today , I think we can firmly say that JF-17 has helped with Modernization drive of Pakistan Airforce to a great degree almost modernizing 35% of fleet with new Units which are on Par with the F16 C/D level , while the F16 Fleet has been modernized with Block C/D upgrade


In the Year 2020 , JF-17 Thunders are set to fly a new mile stone , which will keep the enemy , twitching and turning in their sleep , with the now much talked about JF-17 Block 2 and JF17-Block 3 reaching next mile stones it is only a matter of time when we will see the next break out story , about the JF17 Thunder Program

Crossing the 150 Thunder barrier will be a great ambitious goal , but it would be even sweeter to see more JF17-Block2B And JF17-Block III arriving

Made in Pakistan ​

It;s definitely one of the best things that happened to Pakistan.

 

[Yasser76]

Are we not long overdue another squadron converting to JF-17?

 

[Trango Towers]

I do not think that older fuselages can be upgraded to block 3. I am a lay person so please excuse my ignorance, but just by looking at the pictures it seems to me that it is not only a matter of avionics/electronics but a new fuselage is needed also for Block 3.
Shed some light plz.

When the aircraft from inception is of a modular design why would your come to a conclusion the FUSELAGE is not sufficient for an upgrade. What has changed in the FUSILAge

 

[maverick1977]

i know its been talked a lot.. but is blk 3 coming with an upgraded engine ?

It;s definitely one of the best things that happened to Pakistan.

yes and the experience in building aircraft, and unlimited freedom to breathe in your own skies

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I was kinda hoping to see Block II B Squadron and first 4-5 Block III units in 2020

 

[Pakistani sipahi]

PAF making the country Proud again and again . . . . .

 

[DocEinstein]

When the aircraft from inception is of a modular design why would your come to a conclusion the FUSELAGE is not sufficient for an upgrade. What has changed in the FUSILAge

The girth appears bigger.

 

[ghazi52]

Excellent job by PAC and PAF....

also have great memories.

 

[Trango Towers]

The girth appears bigger.

Appears? Why would it be bigger?

So basically you are guessing??? Why would you do that ??

 

[aziqbal]

great news

now lets see 1 x JF17A Block III flanked by 2 x JF17B Block II on parade day

many milestones have been reached

 

[AMRAAM]

great news

now lets see 1 x JF17A Block III flanked by 2 x JF17B Block II on parade day

many milestones have been reached

Very much possible. I hope we have some Covid vaccine too by then.

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

The most important thing about having your own package---which is Data Linked---the enemy does not know what it is facing---.

It may know that it is the JF17---but what BLK and what capabilities it has---that would be a question mark---.

When all the aircraft are data linked and the lead aircraft has the ability to target enemy aircraft and lock and launch weapons from from other aircrafts in the flight---.

It then really does not make any difference what upgrades are there or not in the JF17---as long as it flies---carries the needed weapons---and its weapons are being launched with success by a lead entity---.

 

[Signalian]

JF-17's basic SOM is an AShM. Modern basic AShM has sea skimming ability and its guidance system is designed to factor in sea clutter. A SOM with land attack capability would need terrain hugging characteristics from a CM and a seeker/radar + guidance system which caters for ground clutter would be required. Which PAF weapon system uses data link ? H-2/H-4 ? The war head can be had from a bigger missile like Babur CM. Rest of the features can be based on C-802/803 anti ship missile.

GIDS REK is there for dumb bombs but its range is around 60 km. SOM based on AShM would give it range in 100+ or 150+ km.

 

[HRK]

GIDS REK is there for dumb bombs but its range is around 60 km.

latest version have 100KM range

 

[Signalian]

latest version have 100KM range

No. 14 Squadron Tail Choppers is equipped with 100 Km range REKs for their JF-17s.

And there is a report from 2010 that PAF has following munitions for Anti-Tank role :

1. Hijara
2. BL-755
3. Rockeye Cluster munitions (around 200)

Im guessing Mirage-III/V deploys them. A-5 deployed BL-555. What type of Anti Tank Cluster munitions should be fitted on JF-17 ?

I was kinda hoping to see Block II B Squadron and first 4-5 Block III units in 2020

I was kinda hoping to see HOW JF-17 could or should be able to take over all types of strike roles from Mirages.