Pakistan plans to buy more F-16s

[TaimiKhan]

still the crux matter doesnt change... if a newer JF-17 whic supposedly matches a f1-6 of medium descent can be got for less and which help your ally econocmically then why beg fro more f16s.

No one is doubting on the mumber of jfs that have been commited for production.

COst of purchase + refurbishment is it really that low compared to teh fly away price of a jf-17???

A hundred times clarified to our friends on that side of the border, but they still don't get it. Lets try one more time, even though it is worthless to make you guys understand.

The JF-17s are superior to the F-16s which PAF got in the 80s, Blk 15s minus the latest Blk 52s. But still not in the payload category and range, but in the dog fighting and avionics category. Got it ?? If not, let me know will try it once more. So if you have understood, kindly next time don't generalize, as we haven't, we just compare it with the ones we have and that also in some categories, not as an overall.

Now, getting more F-16s is better as we have already infrastructure for it, we know this plane inside out and it still has few things which JF-17s lack, majorly payload and range. So, getting used F-16s is much more beneficial compared to the current JF-17s as JF-17s are light fighter jets, while F-16s are medium fighter jet.

It's difficult to comprehend the immediate need for additional F-16's when your are mass producing Thunder in your own production facilities. It would have been a reasonable justification if their was an immediate threat to thwart off for which these aircrafts are being procured. Moreover these aircrafts might not play the kind of role which Pakistan's AF is expecting because of the restraints and restrictions of usage by Uncle Sam. With submarine request being rejected on grounds of financial restraints, I don't see this proposition getting matured atleast in the immediate future.

Yes, there is an immediate threat as our adversary enjoys superiority.

And don't worry, these aircraft are going to play the role whatever PAF wants them to play, there are no restrictions and restraints on them, provided they are used for defensive purposes.

And financial position may be weak for now, but it won't remain that way forever. Plus, money for subs may be for now rejected, but eventually it will get cleared up and things will go on.

 

[Aamir Hussain]

Agree with your assessment of JF-17 and its capabilities. The problem has always been that we try to compare this a/c with best of the rest! As I have a number of times eluded in my posts -- JF-17 is not a replacement of F-16 in its present form but more of an upgradeable program for both F-7 and Mirage Platform.

The gap remains to be filled for a higher performance fighter (be it MLUd F-16, Bloch 52 or J10B). The J-10B is still two to three years away (Including the integration time for it to be a potent platform in PAF) and the gap for PAF is today.

Let us not underestimate the Planners in PAF -- they exactly know the options on the table, money available, and the time to integration of all accessible platforms. After having a 360 degree view they still prefer the f-16 in the medium run time frame -- than for me it is a sane decision. Specially, after sourcing of western avionics for JF-17 has become a bit of a headache for PAF. It will take time to develop and do R&D to come up with home grown replacements – the time, PAF does not have today!

 

[MZUBAIR]

As of now they won't be willing to give any..up until Raymond Davis issue is resolved.

Raymond is not an issue............

There are number of conflicts between PAK and USA, but we got 18 Block 52 AirCrafts.

PAK GOV & Army hav no concern with Raymond. Its the judicial process which he is facing.

 

[MZUBAIR]

Who pays "tax" in pakistan?.....exactly?

Without Taxes country cant move one day ahead....Its being payed.
Dont cry on it

 

[SEAL]

Let them bark the fact is PAF purchased 500 Aim-120c5 and we definitely need 1 more squadron.
PAF should go for:
18 more Block-52
or
24 F-16AM/BM (including 14 sanctioned F-16s).

 

[Arsalan]

For more F-16, I guess PAF should wait until we get the results of MLU and STAR upgrades of out old F-16 fleet.
Once done, PAF will be in a much better position to decide whether to go for more old F-16 with MLU option or to go for another platform (Future JFT). Spending more money on F-16 Blk52 wont be a good option specially keeping in view the rapidly changing relation with US. However, if we can get hold of some via some military assistance program (real unlikely) it surely is a good machine to have in your colors!

Regards!
Arsalan Aslam

 

[Aamir Hussain]

A total of 300+ aircraft have gone through a mix of MLU & Falcon Star upgrades including LTF aircraft (Lead the Fleet units-- PAF has already sent their LTF a/c to US). Therefore, there is no need to wait and see how this upgrade goes. The beauty of the F-16 program is "Been there -- Done that" thing -- it is a tried and tested platform with mature upgrade programs, being flown in myriad of missions, by atleast 30+ air forces. This is the very reason why PAF wants to use its precious $$$$ on a well tried platform and wait for emerging technologies/aircrafts to mature before fully opting for them.

 

[SBD-3]

For more F-16, I guess PAF should wait until we get the results of MLU and STAR upgrades of out old F-16 fleet.
Once done, PAF will be in a much better position to decide whether to go for more old F-16 with MLU option or to go for another platform (Future JFT). Spending more money on F-16 Blk52 wont be a good option specially keeping in view the rapidly changing relation with US. However, if we can get hold of some via some military assistance program (real unlikely) it surely is a good machine to have in your colors!

Regards!
Arsalan Aslam

I think PAF is eager for completing the option of other 18 too as it will give PAF almost two squadrons of Strike Aircraft as brand new F-16s have come with CFTs which suggest that they have an essential capability to do both Sea and Strike Roles as Pakistan was also purchasing Black Harpoon II missiles a while ago
Pakistan to buy 130 Harpoon missiles from US - Economic Times
So new Falcons can do both Sea and Surface Strike role decently with enhanced range effectively and i suspect two different deployments, i.e. one in strike suitable location in north and other in south. With Respect, let me clear a thing for some people here that MLUed F-16s will not be a equivalent of brand new F-16 as the airframe restricts the scope of full potential of Block 52. So most likely they will be used in Air Superiority Role untill FC-20 will arrive for the said role

 

[Storm Force]

The PAF SHOULD CONTINUE obtaining MORE Block 52S it is pointless odering more Block a/b F16.

The block 52S ARE TRUE MULTI ROLE platforms where as the mlued F16 are not at that level in performance ALL ROUND CAPABILITY.

The gap between SU30MKI & MMRCA versis MLUED is too big tech wise.

MUCH CLOSER WITH F16/52

 

[Myth_buster_1]

As of now they won't be willing to give any..up until Raymond Davis issue is resolved.

10 f-16s for Raymond Davis sounds like a good deal.

 

[Secret Service]

10 f-16s for Raymond Davis sounds like a good deal.

you mean F 16s for pakistani blood...shame

 

[Myth_buster_1]

you mean F 16s for pakistani blood...shame

btw i was being sarcastic.

 

[SBD-3]

The PAF SHOULD CONTINUE obtaining MORE Block 52S it is pointless odering more Block a/b F16.

The block 52S ARE TRUE MULTI ROLE platforms where as the mlued F16 are not at that level in performance ALL ROUND CAPABILITY.

The gap between SU30MKI & MMRCA versis MLUED is too big tech wise.

MUCH CLOSER WITH F16/52

You didnt get the Idea, what i meant was that MLUed Falcons would be restricted due to restrictions imposed on aircraft by older airframe. Technically, MLUs will get the almost similar avionics, radar and Engine etc. The lag will be due to restrictions of airframe. MLUed F-16s will technically be nearer to Bl-52 but not as versatile as brand new airframes of C/Ds

 

[misty]

They are probably doing this so they can sell more planes to India. win win situation.

 

[Donatello]

Indians getting concerned about our financial matters...........priceless!


They can't just digest the fact that a plane, (jf-17) which was a prototype just yesterday (rhetorically speaking, for those mentally challenged Indians) is now being inducted in the 2nd squadron soon......a plane that F-16 pilots prefer to fly rather than blk 15s.


Let them whine as i say...