I think the issue may be more Pakistani funding then Indian pressure.

Other countries continue doing business with Pakistan.

India is much more important to Russia then it is to France yet they have sold fighter engines, despite massive pressure.

I think if Pakistan has the $1.6 Billion to hand and pay straight away, France would quickly and quietly do the deal.

Just my opinion…

Which aircraft would this be…is the J-17 designed to operate of highways? I did not know this was an operational requirement of the PAF just like some European nations.

It is indeed. PAF knows and respects the challange it is facing.

3 years ago first exercises showed Mirages landing and taking off from runways. This is first time that actual operations are being conducted from them (landing, hiding, rearming and refuelling, then taking off again from runways), a major first for PAF and indeed one of the very few air forces proving this conecpt of operations.

JF-17 was designed to operate like this from outset.

Pakistan Air Force validates fighter operations from motorways

Islamabad, April 2 – The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Friday successfully validated its concept of fighter operations from motorways and highways when its two fighter aircraft landed on a motorway.

The historic landmark was achieved as part of the ongoing High Mark-2010 exercise.

After landing, the aircraft were refuelled, rearmed and re-launched, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

While the point where the two aircraft touched down was not specified, it was believed to be somewhere on the Islamabad-Lahore motorway or that linking the capital with Peshawar.

High Mark-2010, launched March 15, is the PAF’s biggest war game in five years and covers the the entire country from Skardu in the north till the Arabian Sea in the south.

According to a PAF spokesman, ‘the ever changing geo-political environment in the region demands change in the employment concepts and doctrinal changes in the application of air power with emphasis on joint operations’.

‘High Mark-2010 would provide the PAF an opportunity to validate these concepts that are vital for the overall defence of the country,’ he added.

To this end, the spokesman said, High Mark-2010 is aimed at conducting operations in a near-realistic tactical environment while integrating new inductions and providing role-oriented training to the combat and support elements of the force.

‘The exercise is designed to achieve stipulated objectives with special emphasis on exposing PAF combat crew to simulated air battles based on contemporary concepts,’ he added.

The exercise includes joint operations with extensive participation from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy that would further enhance joint operations, integration and cooperation amongst the three services, the spokesman said.

New inductions like the JF-17 Thunder aircraft that has been jointly developed with China and force multipliers such as the Saab-2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft and air-to-air refuellers are participating in the exercise for the first time.

http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/04/pakistan-air-force-validates-fighter-operations-motorways.html

It is very difficult to figure out as why does Pakistan needs repeated Security Package when it can fulfill the same thing from its all weather ally China. It seems to me that Pakistan’s defence needs is so bigger that not even heavy duty Chinese defence industry can fulfill all those needs at a favourable credit.

US can provide certain tech China cannot.What is so strange about that?

Some nice early morning shots of the ramp at Chaklala courtesy of Pakdef

Here you go…and this is from a Pakistani website so no Indian bias

http://www.daily.pk/kayani-spells-out-threat-posed-by-india-15617/

“The Pakistan Army’s concerns about ‘Cold Start’ are well known, but Gen Kayani went as far as to put a timeline on its implementation: two years for India to achieve partial implementation and five years for full.”

Great, thanks for the link. So right now, as it stands, Cold Start in unable to function properly?

Better then my 1st April attempt! Love the drawing! 😉

Sorry old bean..your math is a bit off.

India has “over” (;)) 250 T-72s which are night capable, 310 T-90s and 347 more on order with production of 1000 more in the works, plus a regiments worth of Arjuns – delivery due this year. Thats a bit “more” than 300..

You certainly gave “some numbers”…unfortunately…they werent, very “accurate”.

Why, do you read slow?

Most of which happen to be obsolete M113s with MG armament, and aluminium sides.

Am sure they will cut a dashing figure anyhow..on a battlefield where the opponent has produced over 30,000 Milan 2’s let alone has Konkurs and autocannon equipped IFVs..

Out of which million only 8 Independent Battle Groups need to be mobilized for Cold Start.

BTW, A bit more than 1000 I’m afraid…1200 by 2002, its a few years on. 😉

Can you do the math on why your math needs work? 😉

I agree “Al Khalid alone” can match any Indian tank. As things stand, those Al Zarrars and Type 85’s you have are thoroughly obsolete. And that the PA would even upgrade the Type 59 testifies to a semi-modern design shows the resource constraints..

Anyways..

Would be impressed but for the fact India is well on the way to fielding over 2000 upgraded T-72s and 1657 T-90s alone.

I am sure the Indian Army will oblige you by sending only 300 of their tanks to where the PA has assembled all its 1500 tanks (circa 2040) for your benefit.

Really, really.

Indian Army has approx 3000 tanks.Army said only 20% night capable, so I make that 600 off night capable tanks.

India is a loooongway to fielding 2000+ upgraded T-72s and 1657 T-90s

Let me give you a glimpse of reality here

“Confirming the Jane’s report, senior Army officers told this newspaper that the French Catherine thermal imaging (TI) camera, which gives the T-90’s Belarussian (Peling IG-46) night sight its 3 km range and higher accuracy, is not “adequately tropicalised” and hence prone to malfunctioning in the extreme heat of the Rajasthan desert region, where temperatures inside the MBT routinely average between 55ºC and 60ºC.”

S”ome AMK-340 shells have even burst inside the tanks, killing crew members, in at least one instance at Babina. Armoured Corps officers said many tank crews, who feared the shells would explode inside the barrel, had refused to use the faulty ammunition, and when forced to do so went to elaborate lengths, enabling them to fire from outside the tank.”

“It was the T-90’s missile-firing capability that had initially clinched the Army’s decision in its favour way back in 2001. But with BDL unable to supply the missiles and the endless problems with the fire control system, many officers are of the view that the tank appears little better than the already proven T-72, also currently in service with the Indian Army.”
http://www.india-defence.com/reports/2081

The T-72’s galloping obsolescence is magnified by the MoD’s failure to overhaul tanks on schedule: Some 800 T-72s are years overdue for overhaul. Originally, each T-72 was to be overhauled twice during its service life of 32 years. But as the overhaul agencies — the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi; and 505 Army Base Workshop, Delhi — failed to meet their overhaul targets of 70 and 50 tanks, respectively, the army decided that one overhaul was good enough. And, with even that schedule not implemented, a desperate MoD has approached Indian industry to play a role in overhauling the T-72 fleet.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/army-to-spend-billionsoutdated-t-72-tanks/23/20/384449/