Pakistan Air Force Struggling to keep up

The PAF is the pride of this young nation. Born in 1947 this small but gallent force has stood up to its giant adversary on 3 ocasions with flying colours. It has scored numerous kills against the Afghans, RUSSIANS and even Israelis in the mideast. Its pilots proving that the man was more important then numbers and the machine

However the 21st century, the rise of smart weapons and BVR engagment and hitech aerial weapons have reduced the need for skilled pilots. Today its about technology.

Technology costs serious money. Pakistan is trying to stay and maintain a balance with its arch rival India.

India,s march towards a trillion dollar economy by 2010 has left PAF and its military in the shade.

SU30MKI induction together with Phalcon AWACS now offical has left PAF facing a military they just can,t afford to match.

The IAf BUDGET is 5 times that of Pakistan. The indian GDP is nearly 9 times the size.

India as access to latest Russian & Israeli hardware. PAF is left with stark choice cheaper chinease or vastly expensive european hardware.

PAF has been trying to buy USA F16s to add to its tiny fleet oif 30 old F16A/B. USA whi is actively engaged with india in a new strategic partnership is very relunctant to provide offensive weapons to either side.

FOR PAF that has left France with very expensive Mirage 2000.
If they wait then in 5 years time they may have 30-50 Typhoons or even Raphael. But these babies cost $60 million each.

More importantly by then IAF will have 100+ SU30MKI.

IAF is also buying more mirage 2000 and striving to induct its own LCA a mini delta fighter in mirage2000/f16 class by 2007-2008.

FC1 built by china for PAF is only brighr note on a troubled future for the proud PAF at present. But even this won,t enter full service for at least 3-4 years….. Even then i think it will fall short of SU30MKI CLAss.

My question to you guys facing a IAF of 5-6 times the money with numerical superiorty of 2-1 and su30mki/phalcon combination with mirage 2000/lca & mig29/mig27 backup against F7s & mirage 3s prehaps 30-40 f16s.

HOW WOULD YOU PREPARE TO FACE THIS THREAT OVER NEXT 5 YEARS.

PAF current budget for all 3 services is $3billion per year.

PAF share of this less than 800 million dollars.