T/S-Darter integration with Gripen’s radar is probably just a question of time.

If u put together all recent interviews of PAF’s ACM, its quite clear that while PAF wants a western aircraft (mature technology) to meet its current hi tech needs, J-10 (more advannced versions) would have come into the equation in future (when the tech would have been matured). However, latest interview suggests that PAF is finding it very difficult to get a western supplier (mainly political reasons) and J-10 is the alternativ-although not mature it’d b better than anything currently in PAF’s inventory including future purcages of JF-17. PAF’s deputy chief of ops said that J-10 is available…so unless its a pressure tactic, it simply means it is available.

According to recent reports, SU-35 and Gripen r running head to head (recommendations forwarded to govt), though SU-35 enjoys a little more advantage due to other stuff that russians have offered. M2K-5 and F-16 r in 3rd and 4th place, respectively.

I remember reading an article in a russian newspaper (probably Moscow Times???) published after a russian airshwow last year. It simply said that money matters a lot. Money purchases advanced technologies and expertise. The author was of the view (and i agree with him) dat the gap between west and russia is increasing by the day as Russia simply cannot afford to feed money into it defence industry.

PS. OTOH, i believe that gap between china and russia is narrowing by the day.

i think the PAF will go for either the J10 or a western type, which type could is open to specualtion. wouldnt the PAF be better going for one type rather than 2? it would have more fleet standardisation and still have a good jet. the longer any future delivery of F-16 is delayed or any other jet, say the Mirage 2000, the less in service time they have due to the advancement of technology. id say the PAF will get the J10 due to it being a younger design with more potential. as an example we all know it is decades younger than the F-16. and of similar performance.

ACM’s interview indicates that PAF would indeed go for only one type…either j-10 or western.
Ideally they want a western hi tech fighter (and more advanced versions of J-10 in future), but if the option is not available they would go for current J-10 as their hi tech fighter.

the way things r going, UK may indeed end up cancelling the last batch.

Last i heard, BAE was pushing saudis to buy 50 typhoons in a deal worth over around $4.5, which also including upgrading their existing tornadoes. Wot comes of it, i guess would depend on internal saudi situation and oil prices as well as saudi-US relations in future.

Almost impossible for a totally soveriegn iraqi govt…unless of course USAF personnel r operating these.
There is no way that iraqis can afford all this (not just purcahses but running costs) when they owe billions to other countries. OTOH, US is likely to stay in Iraq for yrs to come (if things get better), and Iraq doesnt even need an AF of its own as there will b plenty of american bases there.