since you bring in PT-FX
so does it mean both Turkey and Pakistan can go to their own choice of engine? how is it possible?
AZM is Pakistan. An engine relatively same in class and performance, can be done with little changes & we call it NGFA.
I wanted to add further in general prospective that, those buildings & facilities are not built to be abandoned & left vacant. PAC has experience and knowledge by working on a 4th Gen Joint Venture and a lot being learnt. Given the TAI expertise it is their first A/C even though they jumped on 5th Gen directly, PAC is already experienced in 4th Gen class and that is the foundation to progress. In my humble opinion, there is a natural course to progress onto certain level of advancement. Even though, Turkiye has been producing jets under license built condition but that point of experience to be gained from a 4th Gen A/C as an important part to progress was missing. Therefore, as said before that brothers will eat fruit together; PAC joins with all the expertise and TAI is in with the resources as well.
Secondly, nobody exactly knows the economic input by Pakistan or even the facts about economic condition at PAC. AVRiD and those infrastructures aren't built in vain and to be lost like that. However, this is our moment of like back in 80s going for Nuclear. Nothing made public for brownie points but the process will continue given the existing expertise & capacity. Pakistan has many constraints given the resources including Money but that doesn't mean to never start on anything. The time line & targeted goals pretty much explains that PAF NGF is not coming tomorrow or even before 30s. A lot of time to spent, a lot of chance & opportunities to progress with economy and a lot of experience to be gained.
Given PAC history with China & honestly speaking, if one look at development of JF-17 Thunder and Pakistan input for J-10C and even J-20 or that input which ends up with top notch Chinese Fighter Jets; here one might be looking at same trajectory. PAC needs a fighter for PAF and has the experience with 4th Gen whereby TAI has resources and can progress, will be getting help in areas needed and will support in areas that PAC requires. Even though if it is not a direct TF-X purchase; Pakistan will still gain a lot of experience and can use TAI facilities in future as well.
PAF NGF is not dead neither abandoned. We might see different sources & friends as well getting involved. May be this particular subject is not about direct involvement in TF-X but as far as Pakistan is involved in program; it will be bringing a lot to home. In the meantime, Pakistan economic conditions will be stabilizing to afford NGF program under AZM. In the meantime, Pakistan will be progressing and will be able to hire expertise. Indeed, nothing comes free.
We shall not undermine & downplay Pakistan experience in this area. I agree that people don't have anything on paper officially released to make them believe but, Pakistan is doing a lot. Neither those facilities under construction nor that program under national supervision are abandoned. Nothing can be said clearly at the moment but, Pakistan is collaborating with Turkiye and so will call in China as well for NGF. Doors are not closed. Turkiye might not involve China but PAF NGF can be done with both parties. We might start with a single engine design before building a heavy twin engine 5th Gen Fighter. That design can be brought to home or can be done in partnering since a lot can be adjusted in off-set cooperation.
people jumped the gun on the merger
Nobody from PDF jumped as such except for those self claimed Twitter Accounts believing in that I know it all. Those kind of accounts are real embarrassment that makes a certain media house to issue a statement to counter.
