kilo_4que said:
Posting after a long time though I come across someone mentioning the Ft-5 as a trainer to the F-7s. Well y should the PAF want to rely on old technology when they already have modern technology (so called) available. I mean PAF alread have a couple of Ft-7 which are the trainer versions of the F-7 and are the most equivalent to each other. The Ft-5s are old and are way too old with regards to avionics and other technicsin order to come close to acting as first hand trainers for the F-7s. Yes we can keep them as basic trainers though for F-7 training purposes, PAF needs to induct more Ft-7s.
The K-8 is useful as it can serve in a CAS role if required. It's there to serve as a lead in fighter. (much like the BAE Hawks, Alphas, macchi MB3 series etc...)
You don't need 'F-"nn"7's for all combat roles, they need to be preserved for the sharp end of the spear. K-8's as a CAS means that they can be used to "worry" logistics columns, masses of troops, even some shipping (depending on the threat)
Use them appropriately and they are just as outcome critical as the primary combat fleet.