Flight International 13 Apr 2004

Pakistan is seeking to upgrade and bolster its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters as part of a modernisation plan made possible by its new major non-NATO ally status with the USA.

Industry sources say Lockheed Martin, Pakistan and the USA have begun discussing a mid-life update for Pakistan’s existing fleet of 32 F-16A/Bs. Pakistan also hopes to acquire up to 18 used F-16A/Bs from the USA or other operators and in the long-term may revive long-delayed plans to also purchase up to 24 new-generation F-16s.

The proposed F-16 upgrade is the major piece in a revamp of Pakistan’s US-made military equipment inventory that will be primarily funded from US aid. Washington has already agreed to give Pakistan six excess Lockheed Martin C-130B transports and there are also talks to provide six additional Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and an upgrade to the Pakistan army’s Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters.

Pakistan has already signed a letter of agreement for the surplus C-130s, which should be delivered by early next year following an aircraft restoration and minor electrical upgrade project led by Lockheed Martin. The Pakistan air force already operates 10 C-130B/Es.

The USA is still waiting for Pakistan to provide a letter of request for the F-16 mid-life update. Sources say it must first decide on a configuration for the aircraft, and then the USA must approve the export of each requested piece of equipment. The two countries must also decide whether some of the work can be sourced locally at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).

Pakistan, with the help of the PAC, was able to keep its F-16s and Cobras flying throughout a long embargo imposed by the USAafter Pakistan conducted nuclear trials in 1998, but its two P-3Cs had to be grounded. Pakistan is now working on a plan to reactivate the aircraft, along with the six surplus USNavy Orions now on offer.

Anza-III missile to end Indian dominance

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
ISLAMABAD—Pakistan has developed a new air defence system consisting of Sam Missile named as Anza-III, which is ready to undergo tests. The missile system has been already tested in different stages.
The Anza-III is the advanced form of Anza-MK-I and Anza-MK-II. The basic difference between them is that the first and second Sam Missiles were portable and could be fired from shoulder. While the new version Anza-III is fired by a mobile or fixed launcher.
Though the technical details of the missile are yet to be revealed but the sources claim that Anza-III can destroy any air target within 10-15 kilometers. The Anza-III is basically an anti-aircraft missile and with further research it could be modified as an anti-missile weapon. The Anza-III is lifted in the air by a booster with solid fuel while the heat guidance system, armed with infrared equipment, leads it to the target.
With a successful test of Anza-III missile system, Pakistan would be able to finish the Indian dominance of Indian Akash missile. All the missiles of Anza series have been successfully developed by Kahuta Research Laboratories of Pakistan.
It is said that Pakistani Anza-MK-I had shot down Indian MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighter jets in Kargil Sector on May 26, 1999.

now with this price PAF can easily acquire 100 to 150 F-16s with surplus engines and radars along with upgrades. PA is also interested in heavy lift choppers and thats why they have been negotiating with Russia for their Mi-32s?

I am sure in next 2 to 4 years PAF will double their C-130 fleet as well.

Steve

Do you know what privis enatail no-nato ally. What benefits militarily these countries enjoy?

indian you are not correct about Chinese forex reserve being the US treasurey bonds. Forex reserve is also based on hard cash. US treasury bond is separate. Chinese major export is US but china also exports to middle east which also includes services besdies just goods.

China is not that dumb to put all its egs in one basket, specially the one that considers china an enemy.

I thought US was best in making UAVs?

US buys UAV’s from Pakistan

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Some interesting news, and if accurate shows growing recognition of our defence capabilities

Pakistan’s Beagle to sniff U.S. borders

by Brian Walters

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dubbed ‘Border Eagle,’ together with ground display software, is to be supplied by Integrated Dynamics (ID) to the U.S. Homeland Border Control. Some 20 of these mini surveillance systems are to be delivered before the end of February and an example is featured on the Pakistan-based company’s Dubai 2003 exhibit (Stand No. W102). On-board sensors are to be supplied in the U.S.

ID is making its second appearance at a Dubai show, having previously promoted its UAV expertise in 1997 and winning orders as a result. Although Pakistan is the company’s biggest customer for UAVs and support systems, its expertise in flight control, telecommand and control systems has won recognition in several other countries including France and the UK to which such electronic equipment has been supplied.

While the company’s smaller UAVs are powered by piston engines in the pusher configuration, the Tornado 2000 aerial target and decoy system, also on display, is powered by two 18-pound thrust mini turbojets, which endow a speed range of 70 to 300 knots. To help train UAV operators, ID has developed pilot and mission simulators that offer low cost solutions to training requirements that would otherwise oblige use of real UAVs.

The pilot simulator provides a high level of realism and can support single or multiple instrument failures, while the mission simulator enables the user to analyze the mission before the actual flight, thus reducing risk and increasing system cost effectiveness.

http://www.ainonline.com/Publicatio…2beaglep38.html

matt

you are not joking are you !!!!! a multi milion dollar product and they ran out of webspace… like how much less than a meg?

Now here is my take on this issue, from the news I think they just dont have one project but 3.

H-1/2 are Raptor I/II and H-4 is either a MUPSOW or Darter-T. The point to note is thet why did they skip on H-3, ot is it something that hasn’t been publicly acknowledged yet.

Of this Raptor and MUPSOW news is true then they have acquired the following technolgies locally.

1. IR and active homing device.
2. Ramjet engines which can also help them with their future cruise missile.
3. Terminal and GPS guidance system

One question I have is how MUPSOW can be modified into something that can be fired from Apgosta-90Bs. If that happens then thats a major threat