nice looking but strangely expected and unexpected at the same time. Delta or conventional lay out? Both at the same time. LERX or canards? Moveable LERXs..

its rather incredible how close the Russians have kept the PAKFA. Nobody even knows the configuration of the plane. YF-23 or YF-22? But I think that more than stealth, the biggest news so far are the multiple radar antennas, with L band radars on the wings, could potentially and reliably detect an F-22 and with BVR IR/Radar combined homing the stealth paradigm meets its challenge?

I agree with Flex, 80% of the capability at 50% of the price would make a very good and game-changing plane. Wonder what the Chinese are cooking.

Provide some actual substance and maybe I’ll spend the time.

I thought you said you’d given up on the topic quite a while back.

The USA isn’t just refusing to pay for Israeli kit. It’s refusing to allow Israel to fit, at its own expense, Israeli-built equipment Israel has paid for with its own money.

Well, if you have heard of technology transfers by the US with legislature collusion, much of the technology that Israel has was received from the US, often with opposition from the companies in the US that had them, it was a shame and a big scandal. Of course Israel must have improved upon these tech transfers over time, but I doubt you can really say that this is something Israel has somehow done on its own.

Its unbelievable that such shoddy journalism goes into such well funded organizations.

Another interesting piece of info:

The Jamestown Foundation reads:

Information without political agenda
From Eurasia, China and the World of Terrorism

Your post seems to have nothing to do with my contention by any stetch of imagination. As far as nearly obsolate fleet of PAF is concerned, purchase of IFR and Awacs has literally done no favour to its force structure, since purchase of potent platforms in the form of fighter jets was much more important task to replace nearly 2 and 2.5 generation fleet(other then F-16). Force consist of true 4th fighter jets like J-10 and F-16 Block 52 still represent a potent threat even without IFR and awacs. Economy has every say in building of airforce and purchase of certain luxurious assets like IFR and Awacs doesn’t make it justifiable either. Because IFR and Awacs isnt a toy which can be orderd and get it delivered by tommorrow itself which makes purchase of potent fighter jets make it immensly important to make up for security needs till their arrival. But in PAF’s case, we are ironically seeing reversal of the same according to yourself, as force multipliers are getting delivered first and then fighter jets like J-10 and Falcons following later.

This style of procurement only suggest that, PAF was suffering from lack of enough bucks all this years to build its airforce and in the end when it fully realizes that, it has no choice of procuring what they wish to be in their limited budget, they straight away gone for untested JF-17s and limited number of J-10s as only available means. I don’t want to bring F-16 Block 52’s as they are more of appreciation by US for Pak’s help in their war on terror.

If this is really the case then why does we are still not seeing J-10 in PAF service? especially when PAF can fully embrace something like JF-17 which yet achieve its FOC let alone getting fully mature to become workhorse of PAF. As formula of purchasing fully tested J-10 first and modifying it later according to once needs, something which we have observe in JF-17 project become much more possible option for something as potent as J-10. But instead, we are seeing reversal of the same which only goes on to make one conclude that PAF wasn’t even position to garner enough bucks to purchase most available and economical Chinese option in the form of J-10 as far as purchase price and potency without western avionics is concerned.

Has opinion, based on opinion written all over it. But we don’t know if all these opinions are from a kid with a keyboard or a respected and professional defense analyst. Typically the latter give supporting evidence and write more comprehensively.

PLAMKII, I think PAF would prefer to get it with WS-10/derivative, i.e. a chinese option, rather than a russian one. Unless Im mistake, even their RD-93 would be overhauled in China (to start with) instead of Russia befor PAC establishes these facilities at home. But PAF still has about 5 years vis-a-vis FC-20, so there is plenty of time to move on this front. And unless there are some major shifts in geostrategic situation, I think Russian could be convinced to re-sell AL-31s to PAF.

As for PN, the naval chief was in China recently, and there were talks about the possibility of acquiring heavier chinese ships. And these ships would bring long range air defence to PN, something it currently lacks.

Vikas I agree with you on the WS-10/derivative opinion. Though I doubt the RD-93 would be overhauled in China – more likely, Pakistan has a contract with China and China has outsourced it to Russia… Russians at this point will sell to the PAF through China, specially after the latest SCO round. Or so I think 🙂

Long range AD ships are vital but can barely compare with the buildup of the IN, or so I think 🙂 Particularly if the British career buy goes through, it would be a major double leap ahead, given that the career is already well underway… thus significantly shortening delivery dates for the IN.. That is a major concern for me. I doubt just buying 2-3 AD ships will solve the problem at all. I think that a good partial solution would be to have a dedicated naval air arm whether under the PAF or under PN and you would need more than the JF-17 or Mirages for this.. Ideally navalized J-11s or at least (bare minimum) navalized J-10s. Aerial refueling and AWACs dedicated for the naval role – looks unlikely but equally as important.

Alternatively Pakistan could allow China to have a naval base somewhere along the coast.. that would also help. So would having anti-ship ballistic missiles if that can be gotten. Would be an awesome weapon against IN careers. Or so my thoughts would indicate 🙂 Of course, you could always just nuke’em out at sea in case things go too far against the PN… nuclear devices are highly effective at sea using certain tactics.. and of course no civilian casualties. But the danger is that could escalate from both sides.