@Hammer, what are the chances of the JF-17 / FC-1 getting a shot at this? Here are some positives to consider:

1. Real TOT with your own production line and permit to resell in South America (IMHO)
2. Integration of some of Brazil’s weapons are already done by Pakistan.
3. Integration of Brazilian systems would be relatively simple given the open architecture
4 Cheap. A small fraction of the price to both buy and operate
5. No politics of being tied to US equipment, EU fickleness or French underhand dealing
6. Very good financing options (IMHO best anywhere)
7. Sell Brazilian equipment in return. Pakistan could easily use a number of Brazilian systems
8. Open doors to new geo-politics
9. When integrated with Brazilian refuelers, EW, AEW and ISR assets, most of its disadvantages are assuaged.
10. Would allow a far larger AF for Brazil if Brazil chose to expand, at very little extra cost.

Would love to hear your thoughts on that.

I am not Hammer , but none of these are positives really if you consider them carefully.
1.Brasil is very capable of designing an aircraft like the JF 17 themselves.They do not really benefit from any TOT of JF 17 tech quality.
2.More like Brazilians helped to integrate their weapons on the aircrafts and not the other way round.
3.Stands true for all new aircraft .Only problem is with US aircraft but then the problem is of commercial and political nature not the system architecture.
4.It is cheap but not a criteria in itself when quality is considered.
5.What radar is going to be on the JF 17?I am sure brasil doesnt want a low end radar of the specs of KLJ 7 or its derivative.So you have to put in a european / american etc radar which makes the point moot.Plus its not that Pakistan or China can provide all the systems and weapons.
6.Like what?How does it compare to financing offered by other manufacturers?)(this is funny :D)
7.If pakistan want to buy , they can buy by paying the money , no exchange is required.
8.I am sure Brasil is not looking to engage the Taliban anytime soon!
9.ah..disadvantages….not a good selling point is it?
10.Again , cost is a factor , only when first the quality of the aircraft is taken care of.If Brasil just wants to expand I am sure there are cheaper options equal to the level of JF17 are available.

btw.. is this a part of “grande” strategy?;)

The IAF would probably get rid of the MiG-27 if they could – have you seen its safety record?
The MiG-23/MiG-27 airframe itself is quiet an impressive basic design – certainly no worse than the SAAB Viggen or Mirage F1. But it has been badly let down by its R-29 powerplant, which has the unfortunate tendency to conk out at the wrong time. The IAF had a proposal to replace the R-29 with the AL-31F – but that plan seemed to have fizzled out…

Yes.I wish the IAF get rid of that aircraft.Once a Mig 27 driver who flew out of KK AFS said to me that Mig 27 was just like a “lorry” , when loaded it had very little margin for any error or any manouevre.People have gotten awards for bringing back stricken Mig 27 aircraft to base with courage.Its a bit of harrowing experience if people you know fly aircraft like the mig 27 or the 21.

Spoilt in which way, please qualify! I gues the iaf would call the jf 17 a program that took into consideration the wants and needs of the airforce ( customer) resulting in a aircraft that met its design goals.

Blaming the iaf for the complete and utter failings of ADA is going to far. Iaf did not stipulate composites or shm. Those were added for rnd and to allow someone to publish.

IAF has to take atleast 50% of the “blame” here.Cannot imagine an airforce being so unsupportive of an indigenous program.In later stages however IAF has atleast gone some way to make up for its initial lackadiasical approach.Its farsightedness that composites were considered.If not the IAF would have surely changed its requirements and asked for composties.Just like IAF wanted the R 60 first , and then changed it to R 73 which required additional strengthening.

As far as indian air force is concerned, it will be the only anti-ship missile in service.

The MKIs carry the Kh 35 and Kh 31A/P.

Wouldn it be possible to modify the Jag to carry BrahMos? Or is the missile too big? (Probbably).

The center pylon and the inboard wing pylons have max rating of around 1100 kgs.The outer wing pylons at 560 kgs approx.Air launched Brahmos is supposed to weigh about 2500 kgs.

Plus even if the center pylon was suitably modified , there wil be a problem with gound clearance.

Call to speed up Indo-Russian fighter project

…………….
The Russian prototype, T-50, made its first flight a year ago. India joined the project only last month when the two sides signed a contract for the preliminary design of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft to be called Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF).

India will contribute about 30 per cent of the plane’s total design by providing composite material components, some avionics, electronic warfare systems and cockpit displays. Indian designers will also be responsible for re-modelling Russia’s single-seat fighter into a two-seater version for the IAF.

……..

“In order to retain its competitive edge the Russian-Indian fifth-generation fighter should enter global markets before the Chinese plane and cap its price at $80-100 million per aircraft,” the Russian expert said.

full article here
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article1093063.ece

pwned :p!

Source?

Israel supplies a lot of hardware to India.Dont remember having to take US DOD clearance for their sale.

Some of the neighbours are intent on causing bodily harm , but the US do that and take your money too!