TaimiKhan
SENIOR MODERATOR
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2009
- Messages
- 8,956
- Reaction score
- 10
- Country
- Location
Exactly the JF-17 is a very effective fighter for PAF and the right choice and with select upgrades will be even better but currently it is apples and oranges when comparing it to the MKI. I hope Pakistan doesn't take too long with selecting what it needs to upgrade the platform as we are getting closer to the fifth generation of aircraft that will be coming into many air forces.
Yeah, but even with 5th gen aircraft, air forces around the world will not discard their 4th gen or other aircraft for decades to come. 5th gen aircraft are expensive, similarly their maintenance would also be expensive. So what air forces around the world will do, induct few Sqds of stealth 5th gen aircraft, who will do the major destruction as they are stealth, first priority would be destruction of opposing forces air defences, once done, then even 4th gen aircraft can roam freely and do their job. So 4th gen aircraft are gonna be there for decades to come.
JF-17 is for now very capable in terms of PAF requirements, and it has still a future to come. Its radar has 120+KM range, capable to fire BVR missiles, PGMs, data linking facility with western platform even, for PAF its the best so far, better then PAF current F-16s, but less then Blk 52s. All it needs is one good 100kN or so engine, which will give it extra boost. Someone wants to degrade Chinese avionics, most welcome, but for PAF they aren't cheap avionics.