Pakistan in talks with US to procure latest F-16 jets: Air chief

[tarrar]

It is unclear that is PAF in talks with US for new deal for F16's or are they discussing on already agreed sales (for new model).

 

[Pakistanisage]

Pakistan should opt for the latest F-16 version ONLY if it is not a WATERED DOWN version. I think 24 to 48 Aircrafts would be sufficient to meet our current needs.

It is unclear that is PAF in talks with US for new deal for F16's or are they discussing on already agreed sales (for new model).

The American Administration may have given a green light to PAF otherwise the PAF Chief would not have mentioned it. Of course the deal would have to be ratified through US Congress. I think the main reason why Pakistan was encouraged to buy latest F-16 had something to do with discouraging Pakistan from buying 36 SU-35's, as was announced earlier.

If the deal goes through, they could be our " Force Multiplier ".

 

[mingle]

I wrote before its all about Bussiness but i feel its more than 8 jets cluld be around 24 to 36 jets so production lines will stay open for a bit .pak is always a lucky charm for LM when its comes to F 16 we save production lines before and again we gona save them again .Read interview of Ash carter that they changing FMS rules so lawmakers will have less know how in sale to forgien country would be quick and smooth means more defence Products sale countries which have political issues .

It is unclear that is PAF in talks with US for new deal for F16's or are they discussing on already agreed sales (for new model).

Would be Blk 52 ++ we have already .may get AESA upgrade but it will be for whole fleet we have .

If we are getting the new generation planes , it would only make sense to get 16-18 to form a squadron etc
It would be interesting to see if we are getting more missiles with new Jets

Compared to Turkey / Egypt who operate 200 F16 our airforce has a modest 70 craft airforce , so we could use the extra squadron

8 Planes
16 Planes
18 Planes
36 Plane (Ideal Number since we did not induct J10b)

Just wondering what would be an ideal number for Pakistan Airforce

The mirage jets are really past their time the sooner we replace 60-70 Mirages the better

How about mix fleet of 60 to 70 F16s old & New one very likely pak .But lets see but gutt feelings its more than 8 for sure .

 

[shah1398]

Considering the speech of the CAS PAF it could be concluded that F-16s are just another option. If they materialize then well and good and if does not then other venues are already there. Regarding the point when he said that it might take sometime is pointing at the fact that the deal might not be concluded during current Obama administration and might have to be struck with the new President and his team as elections in US are not far away. It would be a miracle if Obama sanctions these before leaving Office.

 

[Dalit]

Hi,

Before the Paf gets to the 5th gen aircraft---it needs a heavy---long range heavy---.

Agreed. That proves my point all the more. We need so much, but have limited resources. Going for more F-16s in such a scenario is a heavy burden on our limited resources.

In the short term, a couple of Su-35 squadrons as our long range heavy bomber requirement along with the latest Block JF-17s as our prime backbone workhorse. Long term, 5th gen platform. That is how I would propose it with my limited understanding and knowledge.

I get the feeling that PAF aren't very comfortable with the idea of inducting an entirely new platform other than F-16. The infrastructure and familiarity aspect are covered as far the F-16 is concerned. That seems to be the main driver. Inducting an entirely new platform requires more than just acquisition. The platform has to be integrated in the existing infrastructure in place. It is quite complicated.

My view is that F-16s don't offer any radical technological improvement as opposed to the latest JF-17 variant. These platforms are more or less in the same class. We can differentiate about one platform performing better than the other in certain aspects, but realistically they belong more or less in the same category. It is not worth the investment in my opinion. Especially considering the long term requirements.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

There is no reason for sanction I think it was US who suggested the planes in Nawaz Sharif's tour in USA , we will likely get 8 to 18 planes

36 Planes would help retire the Mirage fleet 50%

 

[Dalit]

Litmus test for the Americans. Pakistan approach for latest F-16s. This likely means the Block 60/61 variant. Pakistan has nothing much to lose in this scenario. If they get the latest F-16s in respectable numbers, it is a win win. If they don't they have other and in my humble opinion better options.

 

[Khafee]

Think tank

Just because you don't agree with him, doesn't give you the right to ridicule him. Be respectful and civil.

Thank You.

 

[Knight temple]

Just because you don't agree with him, doesn't give you the right to ridicule him. Be respectful and civil.

Thank You.

i m not ridiculing anyone.... aparantelly i am admiring his financial planning... that really was a nice shot from him

 

[Khafee]

Agreed. That proves my point all the more. We need so much, but have limited resources. Going for more F-16s in such a scenario is a heavy burden on our limited resources.

.

Going for any imported aircraft is going to cost, better the devil you know, than the one you don't. Sorry for the crude analogy, the Blk52+ is a very formidable platform. Kindly do keep in mind, A new platform means new infrastructure, all the way from civil works ( which is the easy part), to training pilots, engineers & technicians.

In the short term, a couple of Su-35 squadrons as our long range heavy bomber requirement along with the latest Block JF-17s as our prime backbone workhorse. Long term, 5th gen platform. That is how I would propose it with my limited understanding and knowledge.

I get the feeling that PAF aren't very comfortable with the idea of inducting an entirely new platform other than F-16. The infrastructure and familiarity aspect are covered as far the F-16 is concerned. That seems to be the main driver. Inducting an entirely new platform requires more than just acquisition. The platform has to be integrated in the existing infrastructure in place. It is quite complicated.

SU-35 on paper is out of this world. Practically speaking, the availability rate issue plagues every air force from Indonesia, Malaysia, to Algeria. You can blame availability of spares, poor customer service by the Russians, poor preemptive maintenance etc, but the ground reality is the Russians haven't thought this one through. Sorry.

The only reason the Chinese will NOT have this issue, (and do not), is because they have the capability to repair and manufacture a lot of the parts in house.

You are right inducting a new platform is quite a difficult task, especially if the unit numbers are low.

My view is that F-16s don't offer any radical technological improvement as opposed to the latest JF-17 variant. These platforms are more or less in the same class. We can differentiate about one platform performing better than the other in certain aspects, but realistically they belong more or less in the same category. It is not worth the investment in my opinion. Especially considering the long term requirements.

You are comparing apples to oranges, my good friend. Why are you comparing JF17 Blk3? Where is Blk3? Has it started incorporating the new AESA radar? Is is undergoing user trials? Not that we know of.

Having said all of this, as a stop gap measure the F16 Blk52+, as of now is an excellent "defensive" platform for the PAF, TODAY. Tomorrow, InShaAllah, the JF-17 might be even better than the F-16 Blk 52+

Lets hope these 8 open up the way for more, as well as "V" spec upgrades.

 

[The Eagle]

You are comparing apples to oranges, my good friend. Why are you comparing JF17 Blk3? Where is Blk3? Has it started incorporating the new AESA radar? Is is undergoing user trials? Not that we know of.

Having said all of this, as a stop gap measure the F16 Blk52+, as of now is an excellent "defensive" platform for the PAF, TODAY. Tomorrow, InShaAllah, the JF-17 might be even better than the F-16 Blk 52+

Lets hope these 8 open up the way for more, as well as "V" spec upgrades

We are already using the platform (F-16) and even somehow to the extent of Mastered. So am agreed to go for new 8s as well and hopefully going to be V spec because a member said once back there about "Power balance" so definitely this is how we balance the power for the time being. India is going for Rafale though we are not fully aligned to have a heavy right at the moment but we can have this punch with lesser expensive rather struggling for the newer program in hurry and torn our pockets. So great thinking by the Man in Uniform as well.

(Off the Quote)
Moreover, Defence Strategy is not something can be discussed at the tea time but suits business better. So leave the business calculations to the businessmen with tea and let the Stars and Strips decide how to defend the motherland as they will be first ones sacrificing their lives while fighting with those machines.

Pakistan Zindabad

 

[cloud4000]

The American Administration may have given a green light to PAF otherwise the PAF Chief would not have mentioned it. Of course the deal would have to be ratified through US Congress. I think the main reason why Pakistan was encouraged to buy latest F-16 had something to do with discouraging Pakistan from buying 36 SU-35's, as was announced earlier.

How can you compare the F-16 with the Su-35? One doesn't have to do with the either. Pakistan will pursue both, if it can.

 

[rockstar08]

Strictly my personal opinion - PAF is doing the right thing.

Although I would love to see at least 2 squadrons of Blk61's, and the rest upgraded to "V" specs. But that is just me.

well i don't think US will give us NOC ..

 

[Khafee]

well i don't think US will give us NOC ..

Sometimes to keep a production line open, miracles can happen. No harm in praying

 

[rockstar08]

Sometimes to keep a production line open, miracles can happen. No harm in praying

well agree , but PAK-US relations strictly based on Geopolitics and regional issues ..
the major problem with US is that they don't trust us enough to get our hands on their sophisticated Fighter ..
I doubt it will happen but , never say never