And now …. anything happened ??????

Deino…from the information available thus far, it seems both PT04 and J-10 were briefed upon and shown to president Musharraf, and he was all praises for both types.

Something interesting may indeed be cooking up. :confused:

First there were rumours that FC-1 PT 04 might make its first official flight during Musharraf’s visit to China, though it seemed a bit far fetched considering the fact that grainy pictures have just started being released. Then PTI released a news report only yesterday, according to which Musharraf would indeed visit the factory and a flight demonstration (didn’t mention which prototype) cannot be ruled out. Today’s edition of Daily times (a pakistani newspaper) confirmed the news about inspection of JF-17, though in a separate news reprot, it quoted information minister saying that the test-flight of a second combat plane, an F-10, is scheduled for today (Thursday). According to some other people, the information minister also said on Geo TV that president might make some announcement regarding F-10 on thursday.

Its quite likely that PAF would opt for a mix of old and new F-16s, and if any new F-16s are purchased-probably depends on weapons package that US is willing to release-older version would definitely go through MLU.

Hu Jintao visits aircraft factory in Novosibirsk

NOVOSIBIRSK, July 3 (Itar-Tass) – Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the Novosibirsk aircraft factory named after Chkalov.

The Chinese delegation, accompanied by the Russian president’s representative in the Siberian Federal District Anatoly Kvashnin, Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Viktor Tolokonsky and factory manager Alexander Bobryshev inspected exhibits of the factory’s history museum. The president was presented with a model of the Su-34 frontline bomber, manufactured by the factory and was shown an entry, made by Mao Zedong during his visit to the factory in 1950.

The president also visited one of the factory’s assembly lines. He was especially interested in the advanced freight-cum-passenger An-38-100 plane. It is assigned for local airlines and can be converted to fly 60, 75 and 90 passengers.

The factory’s history started with the construction in 1931 of a mining equipment plant. It was converted into an aircraft factory five years later. During the Second World War, it was enlarged thanks to equipment and labour from other munitions factories, evacuated from Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev and Dnepropetrovsk. The enterprise sent over 15,000 fighters to the front. It mastered production of MiG and Su jets in the post-war period.

Last spring, the Chkalov factory began filling an order for the Russian Air Force – manufacture of the first serial frontline Su-34 bomber. Specialists noted that “the Su-34 challenges the warplanes of the fifth generation as to the level of radio electronic equipment. Using its onboard equipment and weapons, the Su-34 can hit pinpoint guarded targets day and night and at any weather”.

The Chkalov factory is a subsidiary of the Sukhoi holding. Apart from aircraft, it makes consumer goods.

FC-1 will end up with at least $22 million unit cost, unless it is taken without an engine, avionics, radar and weapons.

How did u work this one out? Also how about comparing this unit price (now that we know china also wants 200) with LCA and MKI?

There were stories that there was even a prototype in 2002 ……Think its scrapped now….FC-1 is beginning to look solid…..

I think it was during last Zhuahi air show when CAC official confirmed rumours of F-7MF protype and that it had been flight tested-about 20 hours in total. Work was then stopped to concentrate fully on FC-1 project.

Given that the P-3C deal by itself takes out close to 80% of the US military grant and the under the table grants come to a few hundred million net per year, people have to mind this before talking about PAF buying Rafales or M2Ks.

Do u have any opinion as to y french ambassador said what he said? 🙂

The baksheesh economy cannot last forever. It needs responsible management.

Lets see whether pakistani economy lasts or no. But some people must be extremely disappointed at the possibility of Pak getting its hands on more F-16s, orions, sidewinders etc. 🙂

U.S. SHUTS DOWN JOINT ISRAELI PROJECTS

WASHINGTON [MENL] — The Defense Department has been quietly suspending joint military projects with Israel.

U.S. government sources said several key projects with Israel have been suspended or significantly slowed down in 2005. They said the slowdown has been gradual and could soon affect major projects, such as the Arrow-2 missile defense program.

“It’s all about China,” a government source said. “The Pentagon, with full support of the administration, does not want to deal with Israeli products or technology that could be sent to China.”

One casualty of the Pentagon decision has been the Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser project. The U.S. Army has refused to request funding for the joint Israeli-U.S. program for fiscal 2006 despite high interest in a laser system to defend against missiles, rockets and mortars.