Hi,
Sanctions were only from u s---pakistan was free to buy from france or any other country---. Next---the moment pak agreed to assist in the afg operation---the sanctions were a moot point----.
Pak should have demanded an immediate U S presidential order to cancel sanctions and deliver two to three sqdrn's of F16's within the first 12 months of alliance---.
The procurement from france is meant for french equipment and not mirage 2k only----.
PAF was not mentally prepared if there would ever be lifting of sanctions----that is why they fell on their faces---.
The moment 9/11 happened---and u s request came in for assistance----paf should have had an assessment team to place an immediate order for the much needed aircraft.
As a matter of fact---that assessment should already have been in place for a 5 years rotation---meaning----it would be accepted that the sanctions would be lifted after a certain time---and as paf would have analyzed what was needed---they would avail the oppurtunity right away.
After 9/11----pakistani coffers were overflowing with cash that pak had never seen or imagined before---. Everybody started offering their product to pak air force----and that is where pak air force screwed up big time---. They got confused and started to jump from one platform to the other.
Please remember one thing---if he country does not have cash available or the resource----no nation lets you test their aircraft as PAF did----.
So---whomsoever says that pak had no cash---are totally clueless to how the industry operates----.
If you have a new car showroom----would you let someone broke and penniless come and drive your cars all the time and assess them. None would----it is the same way with aircraft industry or any other item.
Hi,
Oh yeah---and then they go ahead and buy the saab 2000 that is out of production----and then they realized that as there will be a shortage of parts and supplies---and pak public finds out we have screwed up again---we let the trrorsits destroy the planes----. PAF is way ahead of anyone---indeed---hehhhn.