Does Block 50+ mean Block 52 or are they two different things??

Thanks for the pics.

Did you guys catch the Saudi Hawks performing at the Al Ain Airshow 2005?? I was impressed.
http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/thumbnails.php?album=826

Bad idea for pakistan in the long-term strategic sense. She’ll forever be dependent on nodding uncle sam to keep getting spares. Ideally I think we should get the FC-1s reverse engineer the engines if the russians refuse and add western avionics… if the us is will right now, use us avionics on the FC-1 but in no condition should pakistan become dependent on spares from the us.. remember after Iran and syria there is a very real chance that it could be pakistan

I agree. The F-16s should be purchased as a stop gap. Real goal should be to edge towards self reliance with the JF-17 and probably look at Gripens or J-10s as front line fighters.

Any ideas on which Block Pakistan is getting?

Block 52s or the 60s. 😀

Is it just me or do the shaaheen pics look photoshopped? Except for the first and the last two, the missile looks out of place in the other pics…esp. in the one with all the generals.

It’s just you.

Nice pictures, especially the Mi17 one. What are the stores that it is carrying? Also, is this the first time Pakistan has acquired aircraft from Russia?

Thanks for appreciating. I think those are just extra fuel tanks which the Mi171 is carrying, although if I remember correctly the Sh version can be armed with other stores too (rocket pods, missiles? etc.)

Pakistan Army already operates Mi8/Mi17s and IIRC one HIND gunship.
I think this is the first time that the Pakistan Air Force has acquired Russian equipment.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Pakistan Air Force’s brand spanking new Mi 171 Sh.

Initial batch of four has been received with 12 more coming.