Gents, lets keep the discussion to PAF shall we.
Sameer, you raise a valid point in terms of operating similar aircraft in terms of performance (F-16A/Bs and JF-17s), though I think the later Block F-16s are much more capable fighters then the JF-17 would be initially. Hence the need to order newer and more capable Vipers. There will also be a longer learning curve as far as the JF-17 will be concerned and it will be atleast a few years before the production varients finally start rolling off the lines in Kamra. The initial batch of 6 for PAF that will be operational sometime in the first quarter of 2007 will be used to evaluate performance and such characteristics. They would also be used to streamline maintenance procedures, operational doctirne, etc etc. So I would expect the JF-17 to start maturing into as an integrated part of PAF around 2008, much later then any new/upgraded F-16s.
And while the policy of having similar aircraft might seem confusing, it is not without precedent in many airforces around the globe. Few examples that come to mind are Greece (F-16/Mirage 2000), Egypt (F-16/Mirage 2000), Taiwan (F-16/Mirage 2000), Malaysia (F-18/Mig-29) and certainly India.
Given that F-16 is short-legged when compared to giants like the Su-30 or F-15, however, in context of PAF where they would mostly be concerned with neutralizing IAF bases close to the IB, F-16 offers adequate range. It is certainly going to be a better striker (atleast initially) then the JF-17 .
Lastly, as far as costs are concerned, we are not looking at a one time lump sum payout for any purchase. All multi-billion dollar deals are amortized over years. PN is certainly not paying cash upfront for the 4 ships it plans to acquire from China or build itself. The deal is being financed through a soft term loan that will be payable over a long period. Similarly, Pakistan’s defence budget will have to make yearly allocations for JF-17s that Kamra is going to be churning out. We can expect that number to low in the initial years as it would involve a learning curve in manufacturing a fighter aircraft.

Sameer, I would think that maintenance would actually be cheaper for newer radars versus older equipment. Very likely, any radar for the JF-17 would come with certain amount of ToT as was in the case of Grifo-7s for the F-7Ps.
All of this is going to cost money, and Pakistan’s defence budget has already seen a slight increase this year. But to a certain extent, maintenance of many US systems could be funded with the annual military aid after the initial purchases are completed.

Janes is reporting this article dated Apr 6. Does anyone have the full version… Google?

Pakistan claims high-altitude SAM under development
Previous reports of indigenous Pakistani SAM development had concentrated on the Anza series, the largest version of which, the infrared guided Mk III, has a claimed maximum range of 15 km. Pakistan may have publicised the new design in response to press reports of negotiations between India and the US …
06-Apr-2005

Can we hope for a exclusive from AFM next year once the plant is complete and the initial batch of JF-17s is being assembled.
Anyways, this is going to be another star in PAC. Can anyone shed more light on the factory itself, or rather to its locale? Is it a new complex or is it replacing the F-16 rebuild factory? Since the Farmer has been retired, the largest of the rebuild factories must have little output, and it would make sense to upgrade the existing facilities to accomodate for the upcoming production/fabrication of the JF-17.
As things are now, PAF has the ability to overhaul all engines locally, from fighters to transports to helos. Though details are not available, I wonder if it would remain the case with JF-17s engines, lest they have to be frieghted to China for overhaul and that would be a costly affair.

As mentioned earlier many a times, Chinese are not very open with information, esp about sensitive military equipment that they themselves would be fielding. Why does anyone think they will come forth and make that information public is beyond me?? As far as marketing goes, Chinese have established defence relations with a number of countries, and any serious buyers would be given information about the plane and its systems in due time. Since Pakistan is part financier of the project, I would assume it would have a say about what sort of information, if any, should be released. Considering India is its sole antagonist, Pakistan and China both have due cause not to release any information about FC-1 or the J-10.
Now as far as the Chinese avinoics go, recent articles do suggest that Pakistan will get the initial 6 FC-1s with Chinese gizmos. However, the squadron will not be in frontline service, but would act as a testbed for various technologies, integrations, training and so forth. The planes rolling out are close to but not exactly production varients, and thus PAF will be able to work out any remaining kinks before final production go ahead is given.
One reason I can think of about the planes delivered with Chinese avionics is that due to political reasons and embargoes, China is not able to test European avionics and radars in the mainland, though this is pure speculation on my part. Both the F-7Ps and F-7PGs were delivered minus the radars and that retrofitting was done in-house in Pakistan. In that case, it is probable that Pakistan might do testing for any western system after delivery as well.

Its common sense that sale of any strategic weapon would be a cause of concern to a neighbouring country. Keeping journalists sensations aside, it is equally expected that Pakistan will bring up the issue with the US. However, I for one think that this sale will not really take place (though I could be wrong). The reason being, if India is still concerned about buying trainer aircraft from Britain with American parts, buying such a critical and expensive weapon system directly from the source makes even less sense to me. Policy makers in the States know this too and are well aware of the short-comings on the Pakistani side. However, from what I remember reading before, American companies do have a stake in the development of Arrow and sale of either system will bring in money. Patriots are being offered but might not be sold, lets say after intense opposition from Pakistan. In that case, the US will just have to give the nod to Israel to sell the Arrow. As is, the Indians already have the radars for the system.

On a side note, guys we should all show restraint even if someone posts news that is completely out there, esp personal attacks just ruins any topic regardless of good informative stuff that it might have. Dont forget, we have a choice to answer/reply to any post or not.

Pakistan had been satisfied with the plane but problems with the program itself have been known for a long time now. Initially both PLAFF and PAF were to procure the aircraft. However, after the US administration’s decision to block sales of garrett to China to try to hinder development of potential cruise missiles, the K-8 program hit hurdles. Development in China then re-focused on acquiring and mating a new engine for the K-8 and PAF’s procurement in the early 90s as a result came to a stand still as well. Bear in mind that Pakistan too was under sanctions at that time. Ever since, there have also been issues relating to the work share, where Kamra was to slowly expand its role from fabrication of certain parts of the plane to full manufacturing. However, that was already obvious to most as not happening due to the long development and a re-evaluation by PAF on the number requirements. Thus, Pakistans share in manufacturing is probably going to stay where it is now, only changing in the number of unit/parts manufactured.
Changing requirements is pretty common in any air force and does not automatically imply a bad platform per say. Examples are abundant.

As a side note, if posters have issues with each other, they should send private messages to each other instead of posting replies that do not add to the discussion.

Pakistan should certainly return the aircraft but not before asking the Afghans for parking charges for the last two decades. Havent we learned anything from uncle Sam