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Replacing the F-16: Will Pakistan’s Top Fighter Squadron Transition to Chinese J-10Cs?

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Replacing F16 with J10C seems like the most cost effective option for the Airforce, however they should maintain at least 450 modern jets.
250 or maybe 300 jf17
150 J10c
or 50 ---JH7A. to fill the gap and use them for recon and naval sorties.
Or it could get 5th generation from china or invest on its own platform which will not be soo quickly.



Replacing the F-16: Will Pakistan’s Top Fighter Squadron Transition to Chinese J-10Cs?

June-22nd-2021




Chinese J-10C with PL-10 and PL-15 Missiles

The Pakistani Air Force’s combat jet acquisitions for over a decade have centred around the JF-17 Thunder fighter program, which has been pursued jointly with China and has seen the country acquire fighters both from Chinese production lines and from those located in Pakistan itself. Before the JF-17, Pakistan’s Air Force was comprised primarily of ‘very light’ third generation fighters and attack jets such as the J-7, Mirage III, Mirage 5 and Q-5, with a single elite squadron comprised of slightly heavier but still lightweight fourth generation F-16A/B Fighting Falcons. While the JF-17 has allowed Pakistan to replace the pre-fourth generation jets in its fleet with a ‘very light’ fourth generation fighter, which although in many ways more sophisticated than the F-16 has a much smaller engine and much lower operational cost, the JF-17 is not expected to replace the F-16 itself in service. Pakistan’s F-16 fleet is fast ageing, however, with the large majority comprised of F-16A/B fighters acquired in the early 1980s. This old F-16 variant has been retired by the majority of countries, with Egypt and Israel recently retiring their fleets, and only Taiwan and Venezuela expected to continue using them due to an inability to procure replacements.


article_60d0830e18bf78_86797207.jpeg

Pakistani Air Force F-16 Leads Mirage III and JF-17

Pakistan was the third country in the world to field the F-16 after the United States and Israel, and has upgraded the fighters over time including integrating modern AIM-120C air to air missiles onto them. A number of factors such as metal fatigue, however, mean that operational costs will only continue to rise and there will be growing pressure to retire the aircraft in favour of a more modern fighter - likely a lightweight or medium weight aircraft which will be larger and more capable than the JF-17. When Pakistan does so it will likely replace the jets with a non-American fighter class, as the U.S. is highly unlikely to offer a more capable aircraft such as the F-18E or F-35A. Although some unverified reports have indicated that Pakistan could consider purchasing MiG-35 fighters from Russia, this is unlikely due to Russia’s close defence ties with India, and the fact that India already operates MiG-29UPG jets which are in many ways similar, albeit much less capable, than the MiG-35. As such the most likely options are either that Pakistan will wait until its fifth generation Project AZM program being pursued with China can produce fighters, or that it will purchase Chinese J-10C fighter jets. The J-10C has notably been deployed to Pakistan in the past for joint training exercises, and reportedly made a very strong impression due to its advanced capabilities.


article_60d0839be44691_92499031.jpeg

Chinese J-10C Fighter

The J-10C entered service from 2018, and like the F-16 it is a single engine lightweight fighter. Having been designed several decades after the F-16, the J-10 is a much more advanced design boasting advantages in almost all parameters, including a higher speed, lower radar cross section and much greater manoeuvrability. The J-10C is the latest and most capable J-10 variant, and uses thrust vectoring engines for enhanced manoeuvrability - something no Western fighter other than the F-22 does. It benefits from stealth coatings for improved survivability. The aircraft uses a modern AESA radar paired with some of the world’s most capable air to air missiles, the PL-15 and PL-10, the former which is one of just two in the world confirmed to use an AESA radar for guidance. These missiles will also be deployed by upcoming improved variants of the JF-17.


article_60d105bbb23601_14543595.jpeg

J-10C Equipped for Air Defence Suppression with YJ-91 and PL-10 Missiles

The J-10C would provide Pakistan with by far the most capable combat jet in its fleet, and benefits from a much lower operational cost and lower maintenance needs than the ageing F-16A airframes. Its access to YJ-91 cruise missiles provides much a much more dangerous air to ground capability than any Pakistani fighter. With the J-10C having reportedly proven capable of outperforming heavyweight Russian jets from the Flanker family, due largely to its more advanced radar and missiles, the Chinese-built fighter would provide an effective means of countering India’s most dangerous fighter class the Su-30MKI. A Pakistani J-10C purchase remains by far the most likely option should the country look to acquire new combat jets other than the JF-17, with China potentially providing the aircraft on highly favorable terms due to the close strategic partnership between the two countries. At least until the F-35 moves beyond its current very limited initial operating capability to eventually become fully operational, the J-10C will be considered the world’s most capable single engine fighter in overall performance.

Replacing the F-16: Will Pakistan’s Top Fighter Squadron Transition to Chinese J-10Cs? (militarywatchmagazine.com)
 
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Replacing F16 with J10C seems like the most cost effective option for the Airforce, however they should maintain at least 450 modern jets.
250 or maybe 300 jf17
150 J10c
or 50 ---JH7A. to fill the gap and use them for recon and naval sorties.
Or it could get 5th generation from china or invest on its own platform which will not be soo quickly.
It's actually the least cost effective option
 
. . . .
Replacing the F-16: Will Pakistan’s Top Fighter Squadron Transition to Chinese J-10Cs?

June-22nd-2021




Chinese J-10C with PL-10 and PL-15 Missiles

The Pakistani Air Force’s combat jet acquisitions for over a decade have centred around the JF-17 Thunder fighter program, which has been pursued jointly with China and has seen the country acquire fighters both from Chinese production lines and from those located in Pakistan itself. Before the JF-17, Pakistan’s Air Force was comprised primarily of ‘very light’ third generation fighters and attack jets such as the J-7, Mirage III, Mirage 5 and Q-5, with a single elite squadron comprised of slightly heavier but still lightweight fourth generation F-16A/B Fighting Falcons. While the JF-17 has allowed Pakistan to replace the pre-fourth generation jets in its fleet with a ‘very light’ fourth generation fighter, which although in many ways more sophisticated than the F-16 has a much smaller engine and much lower operational cost, the JF-17 is not expected to replace the F-16 itself in service. Pakistan’s F-16 fleet is fast ageing, however, with the large majority comprised of F-16A/B fighters acquired in the early 1980s. This old F-16 variant has been retired by the majority of countries, with Egypt and Israel recently retiring their fleets, and only Taiwan and Venezuela expected to continue using them due to an inability to procure replacements.


article_60d0830e18bf78_86797207.jpeg

Pakistani Air Force F-16 Leads Mirage III and JF-17

Pakistan was the third country in the world to field the F-16 after the United States and Israel, and has upgraded the fighters over time including integrating modern AIM-120C air to air missiles onto them. A number of factors such as metal fatigue, however, mean that operational costs will only continue to rise and there will be growing pressure to retire the aircraft in favour of a more modern fighter - likely a lightweight or medium weight aircraft which will be larger and more capable than the JF-17. When Pakistan does so it will likely replace the jets with a non-American fighter class, as the U.S. is highly unlikely to offer a more capable aircraft such as the F-18E or F-35A. Although some unverified reports have indicated that Pakistan could consider purchasing MiG-35 fighters from Russia, this is unlikely due to Russia’s close defence ties with India, and the fact that India already operates MiG-29UPG jets which are in many ways similar, albeit much less capable, than the MiG-35. As such the most likely options are either that Pakistan will wait until its fifth generation Project AZM program being pursued with China can produce fighters, or that it will purchase Chinese J-10C fighter jets. The J-10C has notably been deployed to Pakistan in the past for joint training exercises, and reportedly made a very strong impression due to its advanced capabilities.


article_60d0839be44691_92499031.jpeg

Chinese J-10C Fighter

The J-10C entered service from 2018, and like the F-16 it is a single engine lightweight fighter. Having been designed several decades after the F-16, the J-10 is a much more advanced design boasting advantages in almost all parameters, including a higher speed, lower radar cross section and much greater manoeuvrability. The J-10C is the latest and most capable J-10 variant, and uses thrust vectoring engines for enhanced manoeuvrability - something no Western fighter other than the F-22 does. It benefits from stealth coatings for improved survivability. The aircraft uses a modern AESA radar paired with some of the world’s most capable air to air missiles, the PL-15 and PL-10, the former which is one of just two in the world confirmed to use an AESA radar for guidance. These missiles will also be deployed by upcoming improved variants of the JF-17.


article_60d105bbb23601_14543595.jpeg

J-10C Equipped for Air Defence Suppression with YJ-91 and PL-10 Missiles

The J-10C would provide Pakistan with by far the most capable combat jet in its fleet, and benefits from a much lower operational cost and lower maintenance needs than the ageing F-16A airframes. Its access to YJ-91 cruise missiles provides much a much more dangerous air to ground capability than any Pakistani fighter. With the J-10C having reportedly proven capable of outperforming heavyweight Russian jets from the Flanker family, due largely to its more advanced radar and missiles, the Chinese-built fighter would provide an effective means of countering India’s most dangerous fighter class the Su-30MKI. A Pakistani J-10C purchase remains by far the most likely option should the country look to acquire new combat jets other than the JF-17, with China potentially providing the aircraft on highly favorable terms due to the close strategic partnership between the two countries. At least until the F-35 moves beyond its current very limited initial operating capability to eventually become fully operational, the J-10C will be considered the world’s most capable single engine fighter in overall performance.

Replacing the F-16: Will Pakistan’s Top Fighter Squadron Transition to Chinese J-10Cs? (militarywatchmagazine.com)
Interesting article. I hope there is more cooperation with the Chinese to wean away from USA and USA made products.
Never trust USA for anything.
 
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I would never replace F-16. We can modify it. It's like a revolution. Block 15 to block 72 and may be more.... It's time to upgrade f-16s. F-16s are still the best fighter jets. I don't want PAF to replace f-16s. Upgrade it.
 
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I would never replace F-16. We can modify it. It's like a revolution. Block 15 to block 72 and may be more.... It's time to upgrade f-16s. F-16s are still the best fighter jets. I don't want PAF to replace f-16s. Upgrade it.
Why rely on American products? I want Pakistan and China to work together to develop their own version of the F-16 and their own indigenous engines like the WS-10.

Look what USA did to Mohammad Mossadegh and the Pressler Amendment to Pakistan for developing Nuclear Weapons.
I never trust the West for anything.
 
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Why rely on American products? I want Pakistan and China to work together to develop their own version of the F-16 and their own indigenous engines like the WS-10.

Look what USA did to Mohammad Mossadegh and the Pressler Amendment to Pakistan for developing Nuclear Weapons.
I never trust the West for anything.
Our relations with Americans are based on their interest only. Sometimes they gift us, sometimes don't. this time, they didn't give anything but it's not the end of the world. We can still trust Americans and we should continue diplomatic approach. I know China helped us a lot but We should keep it balanced. We shouldn't trust China for everything. Obviously we trust them but we should stop relying on them. Too much rely on China could backfire. Remember we have to return the Money which they have invested in CPEC. Anything can happen.

F-16s are the best. There is no comparison between Chinese jets and American jets. We should give respect to both countries rather than relying on only one country.

J-10, J-15 and other jets are great but our pilots love F-16 and think about upgrading it, making it block 72. even block 70 in our hands would be a disaster for India.
 
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Our relations with Americans are based on their interest only. Sometimes they gift us, sometimes don't. this time, they didn't give anything but it's not the end of the world. We can still trust Americans and we should continue diplomatic approach. I know China helped us a lot but We should keep it balanced. We shouldn't trust China for everything. Obviously we trust them but we should stop relying on them. Too much rely on China could backfire. Remember we have to return the Money which they have invested in CPEC. Anything can happen.

F-16s are the best. There is no comparison between Chinese jets and American jets. We should give respect to both countries rather than relying on only one country.

J-10, J-15 and other jets are great but our pilots love F-16 and think about upgrading it, making it block 72. even block 70 in our hands would be a disaster for India.
I concur with you. Keep relations balanced, but give preference to China.
Yes I know American technologies are the best in the world, but they come with strings attached,
 
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Replacing 75 jets with 36 is rubbish we always cry for budget restraints if this is the case than we should buy twin engine jet will do better and bring more option on the table

Twin engine jets have more better survivability than single if one fails jet and pilot can be saved

If we had twin engine jet we coukd have saved block 55 f 16 and pilots which crashed in 2019
 
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Replacing 75 jets with 36 is rubbish we always cry for budget restraints if this is the case than we should buy twin engine jet will do better and bring more option on the table

Twin engine jets have more better survivability than single if one fails jet and pilot can be saved

If we had twin engine jet we coukd have saved block 55 f 16 and pilots which crashed in 2019
read up on basic physics. 👍

also how have you gone and concluded the reasoning for the crash, based off of what, the engine in the 2019 crash was running until the end, where when the pilot tried to recover, the AoA lead to a compressor stall, soemthing that would have happened on an aircraft with 2 engines, 3 engines, 4 engines or 10 engines for that matter.
 
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