Makes little sense even if the PAF had the luxury in ordering the T-50. A twin seat JF-17 would probably be a better choice and be fully combat capable. The L-15 would be a more suitable alternative for pilots graduating from the K-8P. I think historically the PAF has relied on twin seat versions of their combat aircraft for lead in training, rather than a dedicated LIFT. There’s strong arguments for both, but I think there’s greater efficiencies to be had in OCUs.
twin seat JF-17
is the IAR 95
In its original form the MiG-29 was a highly specialised aircraft with little utility outside the mass air war over Germany and Eastern Europe for which it was designed. It can hardly be taken as a proxy for modern Russian aircraft. MTBO was not a concern in the shadow of Götterdämmerung, maximum performance for minimum cost was. The major redesign the Fulcrum has undergone since the Cold War (MiG-29M and from there to MiG-29K) has produced a much more well-rounded platform, better suited to the export market and indeed to Russia’s post-Cold War domestic requirements, at the cost of eroding much of the distinction between itself and the Flanker. Nonetheless, Russia’s failure to take advantage of the existing AL-31 engine and to develop its own J-10-ski represents, perhaps, a greater missed opportunity than that of any other nation.
if it was supposed to be designed for low cost, mass airwar in small airspaces, wouldn’t a single engine design be better?
Sukhoi did have a useful concept but didn’t go with it in the end
Some sources list the Kazakh single-seater Flankers as “Su-27BM2” – presumably a Belarus-upgrade along the lines of Su-27UBM2?
Does it mean they could deploy PGMs, as well? Contrary to the double-seaters, I have never seen a single seater armed with one..
don’t they carry Litening? like here
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