The biggest weakness of gust is its small radar, so we should attack India's early warning aircraft first.
The most suitable for Pakistan Air Force should be J16 + PL2X. Of course, the sale of J16 requires the consent of the Russians, and the Indians will certainly try their best to block it. So J16 is unrealistic.
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Excluding the Sukhoi family, let's consider alternatives.
F15EX is the best choice. Personally, I think it is the best 4G fighter. It is better than J16 and SU35s, other medium thrust twin engine fighters (for example, Rafale) are not even qualified to compare with it.
But we all know that it is not a realistic choice.
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In fact, I think Pakistan can buy F16F from the UAE. Although it is also a kind F16, its property rights belong to the UAE. In 1998, the UAE paid US $3 billion to acquire the exclusive property right of F16F. According to the contract rules, the USA has no right to prevent F16F exports. F16F is very advanced, I can describe it this way: F16F is an F35 fighter disguised as F16.
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However, a contract is only a contract. The USA has done too many things that do not comply with the contract, and I am also not sure whether Pakistan can buy F16E/F. And I don't think the PAF is willing to bet on the integrity of Americans, so many people believe that J10C is the only option.
J10&F16 are the only two kind high thrust single engine 4G fighters in the world. Other single engine 4G fighters, such as JF17, JAS39, etc., all are the medium thrust fighters. Because of engine performance limitations, they are not qualified to compare with the J10&F16.
Therefore, we usually use medium thrust twin engine fighter and J10&F16 for comparison, and the high thrust twin engine fighter is another heavyweight fighter. Of course, high thrust twin engine 4G fighters are likely to be more expensive than single engine 5G fighters.
Many people say that J10C is better than F16, which is a very rogue statement. There are too many batches of F16. The early stage F16 may not even be able to beat JF17. It is shameless not to talk about the comparison of block.
J10C is technically similar to F16b50/52. The thrust weight ratio and transonic maneuverability of J10C&F16b50/52 are excellent, and they are at the same level. The voyage and versatility of F16b50/52 are stronger, while the radar and missile range of J10C are better.
Although I am Chinese, I don't think J10C is suitable for too many countries.
J10C is specially customized for the combat system of the Chinese air force. It enhances radar and missiles, but weakens voyage and versatility. This means that it is an extreme air superiority fighter, so for most countries, it lacks cost performance.
Moreover, it needs the cooperation of the combat system of the Chinese air force, such as early warning aircraft, electronic combat system, air defense missiles, etc. Worst of all, China's combat system is not prepared to use J10C to attack the enemy's early warning aircraft. If Pakistan is ready to trust J10C+PL2X, Pakistan needs to redesign tactics and integrate its own combat system.
If PAF do that, this is a great reform for the combat system of PAF. I'm afraid it's not enough to just buy J10C. Pakistan are likely to see the arrival of China's electronic warfare system&air defense missiles.
Also, I wonder why Pakistan does not wait patiently for J31?
And I don't think the relationship between Pakistan and the USA has deteriorated so that the USA will interfere in the sales of F16F.
PAF and IAF, Americans should want to bet both sides at the same time.
The design life of F16 is 6000h, but many F16 in the USA have been used for more than 10000h. F16C/D has over the horizon air combat capability and high thrust engine. Even now, it is a very good 4G fighter. I don't think Pakistan will retire so soon.
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So I think Pakistan will continue to use JF17 to replace F7 and Mirage, and then wait for the opportunity to buy F16F or J31.
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