I suspect they’ll be undergoing an MLU by the time they come close to that figure, similar to their early Block Vipers. Besides, the recent structural changes allowing an extra 3,000lb payload suggests the life of the airframe has been extended, there’s no way the extra payload can be added without impacting the airframe life.

The Total Fatigue Life calculated at the beginning of the program dictates that figure. MLU would suggest that the JF-17 would have another 3000 hours of airframe life which I would really doubt will happen. Look at the MiG-29- the IAF was able to get another 1500 hours at most from the airframe on the MiG-29UPG after extensive fatigue tests..and this is an airplane that in IAF combat service never really carried very heavy payloads, but likely compensated for it by being used in high g maneuvers regularly.

I’d expect the JF-17 to have another 1000-1500 hours of life through a life extension program. But I really doubt the 3000 kg additional payload being bandied about. A strutural re-design would be required to be able to carry any more payload. It’s a very serious task and would only add to the airframe stress and fatigue. If anything, it’ll end up reducing the airframe life by causing unforseen cracks, as seen on F-16s.

Guys … can we come back to reality !!!

How on earth could You expect 100 J-31 or even 40 by around 2025 ???

There is so far one prototype, maybe a second one currently in final assembly, it is not even sure how this project is financed – as a private venture by SAC alone (what I can’t believe), or as an expected to be export-type only … or even (what I actually believe the most) a secretly PLA-founded project – but anyway it will take years alone to refine the design (most of all the engines), to finalize the flight testing, … even more operational testing.

And You already expect so many in only about 10-12 years from now for an export airforce ??? Not even so many J-10B’s were manufactured, tested and operational right after its maiden flight in 2008. That’s a timeframe of already more than 5 years and this one is based on a proved design !

Therefore … stay realistically !

Deino

Deino, even if somehow they did manage to produce 36-40 J-31s, where the hell is the money to buy them gonna come from? KF-X and T-FX will cost even more thank to western engines and some avionics.

At the risk of inflaming this Pakistan/India high school cat fight……

I think we are comparing apples with oranges. Pakistan in my opinion does not want to overtake India in military capability, they just need enough to inflict losses to India in any war to unacceptable levels. Neither can give the opponent a decisive blow without being seriously wounded itself.

We already know that both countries use the best methods at their disposals to give a response to each other (Mumbai, Parliament attacks etc) and that can not be stopped, ever. Even US has not been able to block the Mexican border with all the gadgetry at its disposal.

I think JF-17 is the best solution for Pakistan given the situation.

Well, it’s not like anyone believes that the PAF could ever deal a decisive blow to the IAF. But the question is will it be able to prevent the IAF from having an overwhelming advantage in any future war scenario. The IAF may incur serious losses but would the PAF be left as a fighting force? Agreed that today the PAF isn’t quite as weak as it was during the Kargil War, but what about 2025? the IAF in 2025 will look quite a bit different from what it does today, so what are the realistic options to stay at par technologically at least, if not numerically (which will be impossible).

Asymmetric warfare using “non-state” actors is a tactic that Pakistan will never stop using. But that has nothing to do with the situation in the air. The PAF is banking very heavily on the JF-17 but just how good will it be against the FGFA, Super-30, Rafale or Su-30MKI leave alone the Mirage-2000-5, MiG-29UPG, Tejas Mk2 or a MiG-29K? In sheer numbers alone, the Super-30 and Su-30MKI fleet will be larger than the entire JF-17 fleet.

Banking on the F-16 to provide the cutting edge out to 2030 seems like a proposition fraught with risk. If the relationship with the US deteriorates and spares and weapons supplies stop, then what happens to the PAF?

China to Induct JF-17 – Chinese official

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-32684-Sichuan-to-complete-$2-b…

Any further reports on the rumour that the PLAAF may look to purchase the FC-1?

Although it doesn’t seem like a very good idea with the superior J-10B being available, I wouldn’t be surprised if they chose to purchase it for export reasons..a PLAAF purchase may give some much needed impetus to the stalled export negotiations for the JF-17. Customer nations may be a tad bit uncertain about buying the JF-17 when the country which developed it doesn’t seem interested in purchasing it and only lets it be an export type.

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