Pakistan to Exercise Options for More F-16s

[TOPGUN]

Iam all for it why not.. get it while you can before you can't anymore... its really amazing how so many of you cheer when you see the blk 52's this and that oh wow and oh sh_t , omg etc and then also cry and out the fighter down and put PAF down .. make up your minds just rem its the PAF toys and funds not yours PAF is doing what it needs too to upgrade its self iam all for it good job PAF again one needs to watch close to see if the US will actualy do the sale given the current frienship status ... may GOD bless Pakistan.

 

[Asian.Century]

Most people in Pakistan donot want this option exercised, Expensive, useless, sanction prone, humiliating US partner and divert money to better things to uplift economy or buy 50+ jf17, 50+j10b etc. We already have new F16 block 52 in our inventory y more?

Enough of this crap from PAF who can't defend Pakistan when push comes to shove!

 

[IceCold]

The way the relationship between US and Pakistan has hit rock bottom, i would say no. This is not the time. Why give americans more leverage for them to further blackmail us. We should learn our lessons. Our focus should now be on the future and our future lies with JF-17 and FC-20.

 

[my name is arya]

something is better then nothing

 

[MastanKhan]

Gentlemen,

What should I call you people----after all these delays and issues at hand----don't you get it by now that the acquisition of JF 17 blk 2 and FC 20 is a long process from signing the contract to assembly, manufacturing, testing, weapons assimilation, integration and full deployment.

F16 blk 52 is still the better bet----still the best aircraft worth every penny. It is a good decision and should have been enforced two years ago---a total of 100 blk52 and other mlu upgraded F 16 are a massive force multiplier for a small country like pakistan.

 

[IceCold]

F-16 would have been a good decision like the mirage 2000 was but the time has passed. The relationship between the US and Pakistan are at an all time low. We can expect nothing out of this deal other then one thing for sure, that we are providing americans with more leverage. What guarantee do we have that those F-16s will be delivered to us once we sign the deal and not get embargoed like before? Why do we tend to make the same mistake again and again.

 

[DARKY]

^^^^^^
Agreed !! The best available option for PAF is F-16s........ rather than JF-17/J-10

 

[ANG]

Hi, I personally am not to thrilled with buying sanction prone F-16s. I personally would not buy these F-16s, but rather use the money towards the economy and try to speed up the JF-17 process.

However, the JF-17 Block 2 is still in its teething stages and the FC-20 is still a rumor. In addition, the PAF cannot afford any European platform, Europe would probably not sell a fighter jet to the PAF, and Russia does not do offensive weapons business with Pakistan.

If you look at the current inventory of the PAF it is pretty week: old F-16s, souped up 60s era Mirage III/Vs, and 70's era Mig-21 clones. The JF-17 is still maturing and has long way to go. Moreover, the next 50 batch of JF-17s will take 2-3 years to build and induct. Also the PAF is only now starting to learn and induct the SD-10a/b BVR missile. These F-16 planes can be used in the FATA region to more accurately target terrorist camps, and also have top notch night time attack capabilites for the WoT (War on Terror).

Mr. MK has correctly mentioned, buying a new platform, training ground crews, training aircrews, and building up a logistics network/system takes many years, As such, the PAF really has no other options that this in the short term. The PAF is fully trained on the F-16 and has a ready maintenance network for this platform. However, I would not recommend buying any more of these planes, and I would use them around the clock and get very cent out of them.

 

[Riz]

18 f-16 @ 3 billions, my God why not then go for couple of scodran of f-18 ?

 

[MastanKhan]

F-16 would have been a good decision like the mirage 2000 was but the time has passed. The relationship between the US and Pakistan are at an all time low. We can expect nothing out of this deal other then one thing for sure, that we are providing americans with more leverage. What guarantee do we have that those F-16s will be delivered to us once we sign the deal and not get embargoed like before? Why do we tend to make the same mistake again and again.

Hi,

To me it looks like that the F 16 will be flying for another 30---40 years---with the astronomical cost of the current two leading aircraft,the F 16 will be possibly upgraded maybe a time or two or three-----.

Unlike the mirage 2000, the F 16 has provided timely support to most of its users with useful upgrades in the form of technology and upgrades and customizing the aircraft for its buyers to meet their needs. A better marketing and a user friendly campaign ( pakistan ) has kept it abreast of many a opponent and will continue to do so.

Ang,

My good man, how could I miss that----yes we already have the infra structure---which means that now our pilot can literally jump into the seat and take off and do his thing that he does the best.

Pakistan needs to adjust its attitude towards the americans and look for long term issues while putting the americans on priority list---this pi-ssing match with the americans will lead us to no where good.

Our current jf 17---is about two to three years away from showing its full fledged capabilities and potential----now remember this----this jf 17 is only a ground strike aircraft----the blk2 with be equipped be bvr's----which means---more growing pains---then the FC 20---building and manufacturing---starting all over again----.

Bottomline----it was a bad bad decision to stop the purchase of the second tranche of the blk52 F 16's-----paf blundered again---one more time----.

 

[laiqs@mi]

i heard for some one that the american engineers (in pns mehran) had some calls to outside at the time of attack. so again if we go for these F16s we must call them every now and then for the maintanance. and we cant use them until us allows us. so i would go for bit lower but totaly in my controle then a good one in others controll

 

[fast]

F-16 is one of the best fighters in the world. You won't go wrong with it. Good choice.

 

[laiqs@mi]

we all agree to that. but the problem with f16s we getting are the strings attached by US.

 

[fatman17]

Clear me one thing if you may,

we cannot upgrade or install anything on F-16s on our own without us consent? yaa? In case IRSTs are not included, F-16 BLK-52 would fly till the end without them unless US takes some mercy and considers its installation.

who said ???

 

[SEAL]

US Navy refuse to release our (paid) 14 embargoed F-16s so we have to exercise other options.