What are the chances of equipping Pakistani F-16 with Turkish SOM-B2

[BHarwana]

This is not news but a discussion questions regarding providing Pakistani F-16 with air to surface cruise missiles capability.

So what are the chances of equipping F-16 in Pakistani inventory with SOM-B2 as it will be operational in Mid 2019.

 

[Khafee]

Well to integrate anything, you need permission from US. But if PAF gets it nothing like it.
@Windjammer @Signalian @MastanKhan @Tps43 @Mangus Ortus Novem

@The Eagle Kindly keep an eye on this thread, lets make sure it remains informative.

@BHarwana Good thread, Please expand on it

 

[BHarwana]

Well to integrate anything, you need permission from US. But if PAF gets it nothing like it.
@Windjammer @Signalian @MastanKhan @Tps43 @Mangus Ortus Novem

@The Eagle Kindly keep an eye on this thread, lets make sure it remains informative.

@BHarwana Good thread, Please expand on it

I don't think we need permission because Turkey is already integrating it and they have permission. I think we will only need to place a buy order for it.

 

[Mangus Ortus Novem]

Well to integrate anything, you need permission from US. But if PAF gets it nothing like it.
@Windjammer @Signalian @MastanKhan @Tps43 @Mangus Ortus Novem

@The Eagle Kindly keep an eye on this thread, lets make sure it remains informative.

@BHarwana Good thread, Please expand on it

Khafee, my dear,

Great compact system.

After Turks being blocked from F35.. for which this system was designed... Turks would need other buyers.

Personally, I believe we would more likely to see it on Thunder III than F-soola... good as well. More autonomy for both Turkey and Pak. This will also become available Azeris when they get JF....

Imagine two of these babies under Thunder III.

Also, NFG/AZM could also benefit as this system is designed to fit into the weaponsbay... so let us see what happens.

But then F-soola is the mehbooba of PAF.. so you never know... PAF might be flying F-16 well into 2100s.

Over to you.


Mangus

 

[BHarwana]

Here are the specs. And already integrated weapons with in allowed range can be bought and this could prove to be a good counter for Indian air defences. Plus it will be a Turkish effort but can prove very fruitful for us. We don't need to get into deplomacy with USA to integrate F-16 with cruise missiles and we will achieve the goal.

F-16 are here to stay with PAF for a long time and this system can give them some missing capability. It will do great for ground attack tactical role.

Good thread, Please expand on it

I will keep providing input in this thread for now I would like the discussion to move on and more info added my other members.

@cabatli_53 your input will be a great help my friend.

Turkey is integrating many weapons of F-16 so I am a bit optimistic that many future upgrades for Pakistani F-16 would come from Turkey and these babies will stay relevant for quite sometime.

Like Goktug air to air missile and much.

 

[Ali_Baba]

It makes sense to focus on integration with the JF17 as that platform has flexibility to be used in offensive operations over Indian airspace and is the future of the PAF.

The F16s have some baggage with their use, while it would be nice to have them on the F16 it may be probematic.

Note, we have Ra'ad which is a similar performance bracket to this platform. We have not heard much of its integration with the JF17.

 

[Pakistani Fighter]

Here are the specs. And already integrated weapons with in allowed range can be bought and this could prove to be a good counter for Indian air defences. Plus it will be a Turkish effort but can prove very fruitful for us. We don't need to get into deplomacy with USA to integrate F-16 with cruise missiles and we will achieve the goal.

View attachment 556603

F-16 are here to stay with PAF for a long time and this system can give them some missing capability. It will do great for ground attack tactical role.


I will keep providing input in this thread for now I would like the discussion to move on and more info added my other members.

@cabatli_53 your input will be a great help my friend.

Turkey is integrating many weapons of F-16 so I am a bit optimistic that many future upgrades for Pakistani F-16 would come from Turkey and these babies will stay relevant for quite sometime.

Like Goktug air to air missile and much.
View attachment 556608

If that is a case then why aren't PAF F 16s integerated with RA'AD??

 

[war&peace]

Why not to do it on JF17 ?

 

[Maarkhoor]

This is not news but a discussion questions regarding providing Pakistani F-16 with air to surface cruise missiles capability.

So what are the chances of equipping F-16 in Pakistani inventory with SOM-B2 as it will be operational in Mid 2019.

View attachment 556601

We have Ra'ad, H4 etc then why we need SOM? You may suggest this for JF17.

 

[BHarwana]

If that is a case then why aren't PAF F 16s integerated with RA'AD??

We have to aquire a US approval which is difficult but Turkey being a NATO member has aquired the integration approval and is already producing many parts and upgrades for F-16.

The question that needs answer here is what is the foreign sale status of SOM-B2 which Turkish member can answer better.

 

[airomerix]

Goktug missile seems to be a fine piece. Can anyone shed more light on it?

 

[Imran Khan]

Jf17 will be better

 

[BHarwana]

We have Ra'ad, H4 etc then why we need SOM? You may suggest this for JF17.

JF-17 is a totally different thing.

We have F-16 and there is a new bomb for the platform all we need to do is buy some. The paper work with US is Turkish headache and they have already done it.

 

[CriticalThought]

@BHarwana asking what weapons will be integrated on PK F-16s in the future is too narrow and can only be answered by someone with access to PAF plans. In short, it's not going to be answered.

Would it be a good idea? Definitely! With a stealthy profile and 5th gen tech originally meant for F-35, this is a very potent system. And once Turkey gets S-400, we can be sure they will be testing the radar evasion characteristics of SOM against it.

The stealthy profile of the missile is also suited for a CHAMPS like role. Of course that tech will have to be developed, but I am very keen for PAF to get its hands on it. The future of warfare between powers such as US/France and Russia/China is CHAMPS like systems.

Finally, that 250 km range makes it very useful for non-reinforced structures. At 600 kg, it has slightly more punching power than a 1000 pounder but less than a 2000 lb. I am not sure if it would be a good choice for things like dams.

 

[BHarwana]

We don't need to spend any R&D money, Turkey has done it. The missile is already on the wing of an F-16 in the image in OP. RA'AD is already on JF-17.

Why not to do it on JF17 ?

JF-17 has RA'AD, F-16 don't have them so SOM-B2 is available.