Hi,
@Ulla this is the 90's again-----the sanctions were in the air and still the paf was pursuing the F16---they gave them all the money and got sanctions and still out of sheer stupidity were waiting for the aircraft---.
How moronic and stupid does the pakistan air force needs to be---. These are the red flags that are clearly been shown----the U S does not understand how stupid pakistan can be---. They are trying to tell them indirectly that the F 16 deal has problems---which might end up in sanctions.
MK, this time, you are mistaken. This is NOT the 90's!! Here's why:
1) Since the 2008, any used of new F-16's being bought, are ALSO being bought with 5 years of spare-parts. The PAF can overhaul the F-16 internally. In the 90's, the Spares were the issue that grounded the -16!! So this time, let's say there are sanctions, the PAF will have the current planes flying like normal, plus 5 years worth of spares, which don't get used 100%. So the 5 years spares mean the jets will be operational as normal for the next 7-10 years ( I don't see sanctions btw, as long as there is a democratically elected system running Pakistan). So 7 years is MORE than enough time to get another platform and induct it, train pilots and build tactics. That is the worst case scenario.
2) The US has issued one of the largest tourist visas to Pakistani businessmen, visitors, nurses, teachers in the past two years. She is trying to build a relationship with the people of Pakistan (not just with politicians and the generals). So there is a strategy. The US leadership also knows VERY well that if they hurt Pakistan's defensive posture at this time in the history (unlike before), it may be time to say good bye to Pakistan and lose any influence. And the Pakistan is the ONLY nuke power in the Islamic world and holds a tremendous amount influence on that part of the world.
3) Not to mention the Russians and the Chinese will have open arms to embrace Pakistan (they already have) and fulfill her defense needs. The world needs Pakistan's cooperation in many directions.
4) You are reading into political rhetoric coming from the likes to Mr. Trump too much. Its the election year. Even in Pakistan, there are parties who make crazy statements about how they'll stop US-Pakistani relations and make Pakistan a "better place" by taking her away from the US
So these are the realities. All these politician will bit*ch and complain. The Pentagon will tell the senators that they need Pakistan and they need them to issue the jets or other systems, and those will be approved. 8, 16, 40 or 60 F-16's don't give Pakistan serious offensive capability. So IMO, there is no issue with regards to the balance of power compared to India. So these will be approved. 8 is not a real meaningful number. But let's say the discussions were 8 first order, 18 after and may be a third follow up order of new or used -16's. Not that about $ 8-10 billion over time. You think Lockheed would like to use that much money? AND a client with a growing economy who could pay $ 20-30 billion over the next 15-20 years? The answer is no. But the order has to be size able to make that impact (like how India does it). Which is why the 8 is the first order, and there will be approximately 24-40 jets purchased.
5) I personally think (looking at the evidence), that this may be the last top line aircraft purchase from the US. Pakistan will soon hit block III or the JFT and will also join into different projects by 2018 (as the economy grows and a few extra billion are available for JV's with Turkey, China, Russia and Korea), for a top line jet replacing the F-16's. So the remaining US aircraft will probably form a second tier in the next ten years till retired.
6) Haier has setup technology centers in Pakistan (Laptops, Tablets, now Cell phones and in the future, TV's, Consumer Electronics, Mobile Computing, etc). This will create serious local semi conductor R&D and production revolution in Pakistan. Guess what? These same technologies are used in building avionics and systems for jets. Within the next 5-7 years, you'll have a huge labor base to work on R&D and next generation of defense systems in Pakistan
So no, this isn't the 90's Pakistan. Hell, this isn't even the Pakistan world knew in 2012. Someone I know, who works with the Pakistani government, recently told me how impressed he was with Pakistani officials wanted serious growth, no matter which topic you started with them. Per him "the Pakistanis seem to have tasted the blood of economic growth and they are after it like a Lion goes after the Meat". I think this one sentence tells you how much growing Pakistan's economy has become the core focus of the current government. Whether you like them or hate them. Better and stronger economy, and $$$$ means a better and stronger defense!!
Can they fire Meteor BVRAAM???
If you did the integration with the French, absolutely. In fact, Pakistan is a good example here. Pakistan was the first American customer who, on their -16's, decided to put a French LANTIRN POD and it's worked for decades. Same can happen with Meteor. The real question is, will the French sell it to you?