Strictly speaking, the "JF-17 approach" would be signing onto the T625 and T629. It's the same 6-ton platform for both utility and an attack helicopter (for which we got an official invite into the utility side). Compared to the 10-ton program (ATAK-2), it would be more affordable, and the utility platform could be inducted more widely in military and civilian applications (including civilian users).
We ought to make a start in the helicopter field and how long we are going to wait to do so. Our approach to defence procurements/production have been shambolic to say the least at times. One of the largest army in the world can't even produces their own modern assault guns. One can slat me as much as you like but facts speak for themselves and give me the reasons of economy performing badly. If we can't make our own then what we are expecting to equip our forces with depend on others and take dictation from them. One produces their own equipment and sell to others and it balances out the cost factors. We really ought to raise the flag of made in Pakistan first otherwise what ever we buys from others minimum 20 to 40% should be made in Pakistan on TOT basis and there should be no compromise on this approach. We bitten few times by the US F 16 saga and someone made the right decision to make our own plane and that gave us the JF 17 and look where are we now, hence same is required in the helicopter field. Time and world is not waiting for us and the leaders we select are always going to let us down and fill there coffers abroad and I don't see things changing on that front and circular debt always is circling around our necks as we refuse to do any thing and produce basically as minimal as possible even when we are pushed.