Possibly a delay of upto a year. The zulus may take time and it would be wrong to sit there relying on them to come. Looking at the situation US might have engineered it to get PAA to ask for Zulus. T129s may yet come. It is the responsibility of the Turkish company to find an alternate engine and we will play it like we did the RD saga in the 90s.
It will need trials in Pak lands and the time may be now for hot and high trials and November for cold and high trials. I think the former are more important for Pakistan. The question is how far back is the ATAK Shifted back due to engine non supply and will IK be able to push US to give a nod!
A
Sir I am quite agreed with you that delay shall happen but eventually Pak will get T129 with either EU based engine ( vital chances) or in dire circumstances with Russian ( in case of no other option). On other hand if cards are played wisely Pak may get deliveries of 13 AH1z in next few months and even may go for two optional ones later on.
Though it is discussed earlier yet I am of the view that in any future medium scale conflict we may observe one to one confrontation between Indian Attack helis and Pak's. I have seen Indian videos where there domestically produced Attack helis going for A to A kills during testing/exercises. We should also arm our future attack helis with AAMs and train our pilots in same way.
I think you are unfair for your ''military establishment''; quite the opposite, they are the most innocent party in this scenario.
The answer to the dilemma lies in the politicians and bureaucracy in Pakistan; and unfortunately, your ''military establishment'' will have to be sacrificed if they push hard for the sake of Pakistani interests... just like in Turkey.
Dear member you cannot understand the situation from outside, the main issues Pak is facing are following and mainly due to lack of proper planning and resources.
1. Lack of infrastructure or fiances to go for TOT/R&D.
2.Limited number of superior research institutes/Tech Uni
3. Brain drain
Now Pakistan is going on right path though delayed development some of them are.
1. Work sharing by defense institutions.
2. Acknowledgement of private sector importance in defense sector though limited.
3. Establishment of new requirement based institutions for future self reliance in technology.
4. Establishment infrastructure i.e Aviation city project by PAF, induction of new equipment for ship manufacturing etc.
The better results shall come if progress goes on but not immediately but in time span of next 10-12 Years.
