MountainStrange decision by US Congress consdiering the fighting Turkey and Pak are doing against ISIS and Taliban respectively.
Unsure what this means for the Type 21s, they are very old. PN is on the verge of signing a deal for 6 submarines with China, so launching a RFP for 6 new Frigates at the same time could be very expensive.
MountainHowever if Pakistan is (was) under embargo or under the strong possibility of being embargoed, this point is nullified. In that case, any country would try to acquire virtually any kind of military hardware and in any quantity possible.
Even under an embargo the money the Qataris wanted for these could have easily been spent more productively elsewhere by the PAF. In my opinion.
12 aircraft may have been too little to make much of a difference. Barely 4 available for duties after training and maintence is taken into account.
Suppose you could look at Ukranian Flankers, more F-7PGs (significant numbers) or even more used Mirage 3/5s and upgrade them to ROSE I/II/III
MountainI was reading about the upgrade of Pakistani Mirage Vs, named project ROSE, and the wiki page about that project states the success of this project, there were talk in the PAF to buy the Qatari Mirage 2000s. The plan didn’t work out because India bought them.
Nic
This is what happens when you use Wiki as a source dude….
PAF is heavily involved with the Qatari air force, but no planes to buy their Mirage 2ks, and India made an offer that was rejected (again I could be wrong on that though), but they are certainly not in Indian service.
Makes much more sense for India to buy 12 planes it can easily integrate into it’s current Mirage 2000 fleet then Pakistan inducting a totally new type with only 12 examples.
MountainHmm?
I would probably put that down to poor reporting, proba referring to upcoming MI-35/MI-28 deal.
MountainPAF chief elected Fellow of Royal Aeronautical Society
MountainI hope not.
MountainFirst Block II JF-17s to be delivered this month
Pakistan adds home-made fighter jets to airforce
AFP
Updated 14 minutes ago
Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Air Marshal Javed Ahmed speaks during an interview in Karachi. -AFP Photo
Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Air Marshal Javed Ahmed speaks during an interview in Karachi. -AFP Photo
KARACHI: The head of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) said on Tuesday that 50 home-assembled multi-role JF-17 Thunder fighter jets had been introduced into the Pakistan airforce.
Air Marshal Javed Ahmed, chief of the PAC, said the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had already received 50 of the home-made aircraft and that the supply of the second block would start this month.
“The five aircraft of the next block would be inducted (into PAF) this year,” Air Marshal Javed Ahmed, told AFP on the sidelines of the International Defence Exhibition And Seminars (Ideas) in Karachi, an arms fair that brings together dealers from all over the world.
Pakistan has been manufacturing the JF-17 aircraft since 2009 with the help of the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation of China (CACC).
“JF-17 is a modern aircraft, it fulfils all the needs of PAF, it is affordable, the cockpit is very user friendly, all beyond visual range attack capabilities as well as stand of deliveries are available at this aircraft, “Ahmed said.
Pakistani ordnance factories have recently been making attempts to develop arms to meet domestic needs, as well as seeking to tap into the export market.
“A lot of international customers from developing countries have shown interest in the aircraft and we are in active negotiations with many countries,” the PAC chief said.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1148322/pakistan-adds-home-made-fighter-jets-to-airforce
MountainReports coming in from the Twittersphere that Pakistan has requested 8 more F-16Cs Block 52s.
Will provide link if/when I get.
MountainExelis’ AN/ALQ-211(V)9 pod cleared for installation on Pakistani F-16 fighters
f-16
The Exelis-built AN/ALQ-211(V)9 advanced integrated defensive electronic warfare system (AIDEWS) has been cleared to fly on board the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fighter aircraft.
The clearance follows completion of the US Air Force’s (USAF) Seek Eagle process for aircraft stores certification, which included a series of compatibility flight profile (CFP) missions designed to clear the pod to the F-16’s basic limits.
Working in collaboration with the USAF and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, the Exelis team evaluated two stores configurations at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, to capture current and future pod configuration requirements without the need for additional CFP missions.
Exelis integrated electronic warfare systems business vice-president and general manager Joe Rambala said: “The AIDEWS pod provides the US and its allies with a modular, highly capable and cost-effective survivability system for a range of fighter aircraft.
“Achieving this certification will give more pilots access to the system’s advanced RF protection and the flexibility to meet the evolving RF threat.”
“Achieving this certification will give more pilots access to the system’s advanced RF protection.”
Currently limited to F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft procured by PAF through the Peace Drive 2 foreign military sales programme, the certification can be readily extended to both domestic and foreign F-16 Blocks 25 to 52 fighters.
An external pod variant of the Exelis ALQ-211 family of electronic self-protection systems, AN/ALQ-211(V)9 is a self-contained integrated electronic countermeasures and radar warning receiver system designed to protect the F-16 fighter from radio frequency threats.
Offering the flexibility to be installed or removed based on mission requirements, the pod provides digital radar warning, high-power jamming, threat geo-location and situational awareness using line replaceable units interchangeable with internal AIDEWS systems.
The AN/ALQ-211(V)9 is claimed to be the only digital radio frequency memory-based electronic warfare pod certified to F-16 basic aircraft limits, including requirements for lightning protection.
MountainPakistan, Russia Sign ‘Milestone’ Military Cooperation Pact
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — Pakistan and Russia signed a “milestone” military cooperation pact on Thursday aimed at bringing peace and stability to the region, Islamabad’s defence ministry said.
The agreement was signed during a visit by Russian Defence Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu with Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
“The signing of the military cooperation agreement between the two significant countries of the region is a milestone,” Asif said after the signing ceremony in a ministry statement.
“Both sides will translate this relationship in tangible terms and further strengthen military to military relations,” Asif added.
The pair expressed hope that the agreement will pave the way for exchange of views and information, as well as issues related to strengthening of mutual trust and international security, counter-terrorist and arms control activities.
“The first ever visit of the defence minister from Russian Federation has come at a very critical juncture when US-led NATO forces are drawing down from Afghanistan by the end of 2014,” the statement said.
“Apart from promoting bilateral defense relations, the visit will enable both countries to join hands in bringing peace and stability in the region,” it added.
Russia has long been the largest supplier of arms to Pakistan’s nuclear-armed arch rival India, which is the world’s top arms buyer.
Russia’s ITAR-TASS news agency reported in June that the country had lifted its embargo on arms supplies to Pakistan and was holding talks on supplying Islamabad with combat helicopters.
Shoigu, who is accompanied by a 41-member high level delegation, commended the skill and expertise of Pakistani armed forces in fighting the war against terrorism, the Pakistani defence ministry said.
“The world community not only praises but wants to do business with Pakistan now,” it quoted Shoigu as saying.
During his stay, the Russian defence minister will also hold in-depth talks with Pakistani authorities as well as meeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“The Prime Minister stressed upon the need to increase bilateral trade between the two countries which currently stands at $542 million and does not correspond to their trade potential,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement after Shoigu-Sharif meeting.
Sharif invited Russian companies to invest in Pakistan, particularly in the energy sector and benefit from the business-friendly policies of the government, it added.
“Pakistan is keen to enhance its multi-dimensional relations with Moscow, including defense,” Sharif said.
MountainPakistan receives ‘a squadron’ of surplus Jordanian F-16s: Janes
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has received into service ‘a squadron’ of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft from the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), a senior PAF service official disclosed on 19 November.
Speaking under the Chatham House Rule at the IQPC Fighter Conference in London, the officer said that the F-16A/B fighters had recently arrived in Pakistan, and will be used to augment the PAF’s existing F-16 fleet, which is heavily involved in counterinsurgency operations along the country’s border area with Afghanistan.
“Recently a squadron of used F-16A/Bs have been procured from Jordan to take some of the load off our other F-16s, which are undertaking numerous tasks in the ‘law enforcement’ operations. The F-16s are supporting our ongoing law enforcement efforts on our western border. We are not using [attack] helicopters, but are using F-16s to stop the terrorists,” he said.
The purchase of surplus RJAF F-16s was first mooted in February, with deliveries commencing in April. At that time, a PAF official confirmed to IHS Jane’s that it was to receive 12 F-16A and 1 F-16B Block 15 aircraft to increase the size of its fast jet fleet. Although designated Block 15s, all of these aircraft have undergone mid-life upgrades, although details have not been released.
IHS Jane’s understands that these former Jordanian aircraft have been assigned to 19 Squadron at PAF base Mushaf (Sarghoda).
When the deal for the surplus Jordanian aircraft was disclosed earlier in the year, the PAF stated that it had also approached at least two other countries for additional F-16s. The status of these discussions is unclear.
Prior to the Jordanian deal, the PAF fielded 12 F-16C and 6 F-16D Block 50/52 jets, and between 45 and 50 F-16A/B aircraft. These earlier aircraft have now all been upgraded to Block 52 standard by Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara
http://www.janes.com/article/45976/pakistan-receives-a-squadron-of-surplus-jordanian-f-16s
MountainPakistani pilot dies as aircraft crashes near Karachi
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) — A Pakistan Air Force pilot has died in an air crash accident near the port city of Karachi, the air force said Saturday. “Pakistan Air Force reports with sorrow and regret that a Mirage Aircraft, while on a routine night operational training mission, crashed 30 miles from Karachi near Gadaap area,”a Pakistan Air Force (RAF) statement said.
The pilot of the aircraft, Squadron Leader Tanvir Ahmed, died in the crash, it said.
No loss of civilian life and property has been reported on ground.
A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of the accident, the PAF said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-11/22/c_133806915.htm
MountainChina-Pakistan Fighter Jet Nears First Foreign Deal: Bloomberg
An unidentified Middle Eastern country is in “advanced” talks to make the first foreign purchase of a fighter jet jointly developed by Pakistan and China.
The joint sales team from the Pakistan Air Force and China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation also known as CATIC, are in advanced talks with 10 other countries to sell the JF-17 Thunder, said PAF Air Commodore Khalid Mahmood, who heads sales and marketing for the fighter jet.
“We are in advanced negotiations with a Middle Eastern country, but the political situation over there has delayed the deal,” said Mahmood in an interview at the Zhuhai Air Show yesterday, declining to give more details. “But we still expect them to be our first foreign client.”
The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is among several aircraft China is seeking to export, after designating its domestic aerospace sector as a key national strategic industry. The single-engine jet was jointly designed and manufactured by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China, also known as AVIC.
Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg
A Shengyang J-31 stealth fighter aircraft, manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corp., a… Read More
The partners are in “advanced talks” with clients in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America for jet sales, Mahmood said. He declined to identify any of them. Prospective orders will be for the third block of 50 planes, with the Pakistan Air Force having ordered the first two blocks of 50.
Dual-Seat Version
Mahmood said there are plans in place for a dual-seater version of the JF-17 Thunder after feedback from potential clients. The third-generation fighter jet, also known as FC-1 Dragon by the Chinese, can be used for aerial reconnaissance and has air-to-air and air-to-surface combat capabilities, according to its product website.
Flightglobal, an aviation-related website, previously reported that the partnership was close to making its first foreign sale.
A mock up of the single-seat JF-17 is on display at the Zhuhai Air Show that started Nov. 11 in the province of Guangdong, along with several others produced by AVIC — including the J-31, one of China’s fifth-generation stealth fighters.
The J-31 gave its first public demonstration at China’s largest air show on Tuesday. Manufactured by a Shenyang AVIC subsidiary, the fighter is a test of the country’s ability to deliver cutting-edge defense technology.
Still largely-shrouded in secrecy, the production of the fighter could add heft to China’s sea and air expansion in the region and its push-back against decades of U.S. economic and military dominance.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-14/china-pakistan-fighter-jet-nears-first-foreign-deal.html
MountainPAF Wants to buy stealth fighters: Defence Minister
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has expressed interest in procuring fourth generation stealth fighter aircraft FC-31 from China.
Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain told Dawn on Friday the matter was being discussed with Chinese authorities.
It is for the first time that a senior government functionary has confirmed talks with China over purchase of the longer-range stealth aircraft — an issue that has been a subject of speculation in defence circles since the 10th edition of the Zhuhai Air Show (China) held earlier this month, when the aircraft was unveiled.
The Jane’s Defence Weekly had quoted an unnamed Pakistani official as saying that the PAF was holding talks with China for the purchase of 30 to 40 of the Shenyang FC-31 fighter planes and that discussions had gone beyond initial inquiries.
The FC-31 is being developed by China primarily for the export market. Chinese officials claim that several countries have expressed interest in the aircraft believed to be comparable to US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
A prototype of the aircraft, designated as J-31, has been flown by the Chinese aircraft research and development firm Shenyang Aviation Company for a couple of years now.
What particularly interests the PAF is that FC-31 prototype (J-31) and JF-17 use the same Russian Klimov RD-93 engines.
Pakistan is increasingly relying on China as a reliable source for its defence procurements.
Mr Hussain said that Pakistan was also interested in Chinese attack helicopter Z-10.
China and Pakistan had earlier co-produced JF-17 Thunder. Pakistan has been eagerly trying to market this fighter aircraft.
“We have nearly confirmed orders from seven countries for JF-17,” Mr Hussain said.
Pakistan, which is at present producing Block-2 of JF-17 at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, is eyeing orders from countries in the Middle East and Africa.
“The PAF has a requirement of 250 aircraft, but now we have decided that we’ll sell some of the JF-17 Block-2 to international buyers besides fulfilling our local demand,” the minister said.
The minister sounded upbeat about the upcoming four-day defence exhibition IDEAS 2014 beginning in Karachi on Dec 1.
Some 175 companies, including 34 local firms, are participating in the international event this year.
Mr Hussain said a few MoUs and agreements on joint ventures were expected to be signed during the exhibition, but no orders were expected at the event.
“The basic spirit behind the exhibition is to increase interaction with defence industry (officials) of other countries and provide exposure to our own industry,” he said.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1146104/paf-wants-to-buy-chinese-stealth-aircraft-minister
MountainFascinating insight into the current state of the IAF by a former IAF pilot
http://thumkar.blogspot.in/2014/10/iaf-operational-failures-in-retrospect.html
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