Pakistan Air Force [PAF] News and Discussions

[P.A.F]

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/0604202083104943.htm

A Mirage jet fighter of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed in the port city of Karachi on Thursday, but there were no casualties, a TV channel reported.
The Mirage was on a routine flight when some technical fault surfaced causing it to crash at Baldia town locality, Geo television reported.
The TV quoted a PAF spokesman as saying the pilot ejected safely from the plane.
There was also no casualty on the ground as there was no building at the crash site.
The jet caught fire after the crash. Fire fighters rushed to the site and extinguished the fire.
The PAF headquarters has set up a board to investigate the cause of the accident, according to the official.

______________________________________________________________

Yet another Mirage Gone!!!!!!

 

[P.A.F]

for those guys who where confused about the JF-17 and its progress, here is an article. And a relyable one.
http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/04/19/Navigation/177/206060/Picture+China's+Chengdu+rolls+out+re-designed+FC-1+light+fighter.html]Flight Global

Picture: China's Chengdu rolls out re-designed FC-1 light fighter prototype
China's Chengdu Aircraft (CAC) rolled out its fourth FC-1/Super-7 Thunder Dragon light fighter earlier this month and aims for a November appearance.

The re-designed fourth prototype rolled out at a ceremony at CAC's facilities in the Sichuan province capital in mid-April (pictured below).

This prototype of the FC-1 is the first to feature air intakes. Chengdu has plans to fly the aircraft at the Zhuhai air show in early November.

Chengdu says work on the first production aircraft is well underway and will be completed at the end of this year. The production aircraft will incorporate the new design features unveiled last year, including the revised air intakes, an extended stake and larger vertical fin (Flight International, 26 September-2 October 2005).

Chengdu so far has only secured an order from Pakistan for 16 FC-1s but expects a large follow-on order following deployment of the first batch and hopes to raise interest from the Chinese air force and other potential export customers from the Zhuhai air show.

 

[Fighting Falcon]

good news!!

DATE:25/04/06
SOURCE:Flight International


BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE

Letter of request expected for Lockheed jets, but China has yet to confirm deal for advanced fighters

Pakistan has unveiled plans to acquire 18 new Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds and 26 used F-16A/Bs as part of a major expansion of its fighter fleet, which will also include Chinese Chengdu FC-1s and potentially Chengdu J-10s.

Industry sources say Islamabad is preparing a letter of request for 18 Block 52 F-16C/Ds plus 18 options. The document is expected to be sent to Washington within the next few weeks, with Congress to be notified of the pending deal by late May. Sources say a letter of agreement could be signed late this year for deliveries from 2009.

Last April, Islamabad issued a request for 55 new F-16C/Ds plus 20 options, but withdrew it following a catastrophic earthquake in November, just before Congress was to be notified of the deal. Pakistan has since reduced the acquisition to only 18 firm aircraft to reflect new constraints on its budget caused by ongoing disaster recovery efforts (Flight International, 28 March–3 April).

Pakistan now plans to also acquire 26 F-16A/Bs from the US excess aircraft inventory and is now working on drafting a request that will result in specific aircraft being identified. Pakistan plans to eventually upgrade these aircraft in-country, along with its existing two F-16A/B squadrons and two ex-US Air Force aircraft delivered last December.

Sources say Islamabad is undecided on a final configuration for its new and upgraded F-16s, but plans to ask Washington for Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition bomb guidance kits.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is moving forward with its purchase of up to 150 FC-1 light fighters, also known as the JF-17 and Super-7. Chengdu so far has only secured an order from Pakistan for 16 FC-1s, but expects to secure a larger deal following deployment of the first batch.

Islamabad is also reportedly seeking to buy up to 36 heavier J-10s for multi-role missions. Chengdu declines to comment on potential exports of the type – which so far has only been acquired domestically – because the programme is still classified.

The China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) denies the J-10 has been added to its export product offering.

 

[A Khan]

US to ask Congress to approve F-16 sale to Pakistan
Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:18 PM ET



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration will formally ask Congress to approve the sale of American-made F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, Undersecretary of State Nick Burns said on Thursday.

He made the announcement after talks with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan, who said the package would be scaled-down from an earlier request and include old as well as new aircraft.

After a devastating October 8 earthquake, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he would postpone the purchase of F-16s -- built by Lockheed Martin Corp. -- while the government assessed how it would meet the costs of reconstruction and rehabilitation in devastated parts of Pakistani Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province.

Burns said he reassured Khan "we are committed to the sale of American F-16 aircraft to Pakistan and we intend to begin (formal) consultations with Congress shortly."

Other than saying it would be a "scaled down request (with) some new and some old" jets, Khan said he could provide no further information. The details of the package "keep getting revised," he told a news conference.

Earlier in the month, Pakistan's cabinet gave its air force clearance to open negotiations to buy 36 Jian-10 fighter aircraft from China and 62 F-16s from the United States.

The shopping list included 36 modified versions of China's Jian-10 aircraft, along with 26 F-16s of Type A and B, and 18 F-16s of the latest Block 50/52 C and D type models, with an option for 18 more, defense officials in Islamabad said at the time, confirming a report in the Business Recorder newspaper.

The newspaper, citing an official document, said the government also gave approval for purchase of Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, targeting pods and joint direct attack munitions.

Since the earthquake, the international community has offered over $6 billion in aid and soft loans to help Pakistan recover from the disaster. Though no official figures have been released, the cost of the F-16s alone is expected to be around $2.5 billion.

The costs for the Jian-10 and the BVR missiles are also estimated to run into billions of dollars.

------------------------

SO there's the notification to Congress. the interesting part now will be the numbers and how many AIM-120, what version, and AIM-9X.

 

[umair]

Just got word from one of my sources. JF-17 prototype 4 will fly either this morning that is April 28th or tommorrow ie the 29th.

 

[pshamim]

Just got word from one of my sources. JF-17 prototype 4 will fly either this morning that is April 28th or tommorrow ie the 29th.

China News is reporting a succesful flight by PT-04 on 28th morning. Let us wait for some details.

http://www.chinanews.com.cn/news/2006/2006-04-28/8/723986.shtml

 

[SABRE]

It made a flight. Took off and landed (posted pics in multimedia forum). Hopefully it would hit the production line soon & may be by late 2006 and early 2007 we will see couple of them fully operational in service in PAF and PLAAF.

 

[SABRE]

here you go. The confirmation.

FC-1 is ready for batch production​

Li Xinran
2006-04-28


THE fourth prototype of FC-1, China's self developed fighter, accomplished its first test-fly in Chengdu Today, China News Service reported.

Based on the first and third prototypes, the fourth accepted an upgrading design on aerodynamics, structure and system. It has a better performance by introducing the most advanced electronic weapon and air inlet systems in China.

As the fully operable prototype, it's successful test-fly means China is able to batch produce the fighter, the news service said.

The FC-1 (Fighter China-1) Xiaolong is a single-seat, single-engine, multirole fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation.

The first FC-1 rolled out from the assembly line on 31 May 2003, and its 15-minute maiden flight took place on 24 August 2003.

Source/Link: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/04/28/267754/FC_1_is_ready_for_batch_production.htm

 

[umair]

Came back from a client's office sometime ago. I'm just drooling over the pictures right now.

 

[P.A.F]

in one of the reports i read, it said that production of the 12 aircraft is well under way before this test flight. can u confirm Umair???

 

[umair]

Don't know anything about that.

 

[WAR]

in one of the reports i read, it said that production of the 12 aircraft is well under way before this test flight. can u confirm Umair???

YES, this is 100% true.

As it is checked by the reliable sources.

And please don't ask for the source, as a journalist never disclose his/ her source, even to the editor!!!

 

[P.A.F]

YES, this is 100% true.

As it is checked by the reliable sources.

And please don't ask for the source, as a journalist never disclose his/ her source, even to the editor!!!

Cheers!!!
so we can expect the first batch of 6 for PAF by the end of next year then.:hehe

 

[SABRE]

YES, this is 100% true.

As it is checked by the reliable sources.

And please don't ask for the source, as a journalist never disclose his/ her source, even to the editor!!!

I have confirmed it as well PAF. There is production already under way. Cockpit sections are pretty much ready to be fitted with avionics.

 

[SABRE]

here is a short clip from Dawn News Paper

New combat jet
​

BEIJING, April 28: China tested on Friday a new prototype of the FC-1 Xiaolong combat jet jointly developed with Pakistan, and was gearing up for mass production of the plane, state media reported.

The fourth prototype of the Xiaolong aircraft, a multi-role fighter-bomber with a range of 1,200 kilometers, successfully completed a 16-minute test flight from a base in southwest China’s Sichuan province, Xinhua news agency said.

Production of different parts of the plane had already begun in anticipation that the plane would soon be mass produced, the report said.

“The success of the flight marks a significant improvement in the innovation capabilities of China’s aviation industry and makes possible mass production of the plane,” Xinhua said.

The aircraft, also known as the JF-17, is a cooperative project between the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group in the southwest province of Sichuan and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

While earlier prototypes have focused on operational flight capabilities, the fourth prototype included advanced avionics and weapons, it said.—AFP

Source: Dawn
Link: http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/29/top8.htm

P.A.F. The statment I have high lighted in "red" answers ur question and confirms WAR's and mine answer.

Also to inform all members, especially Pakistanis and Chinese. The FC-1/JF-17 PT-4 will be officialy Inaugurated by Chinese and Pakistani officials in 2nd week of may (2006).

 

[P.A.F]

here is a short clip from Dawn News Paper




P.A.F. The statment I have high lighted in "red" answers ur question and confirms WAR's and mine answer.

Also to inform all members, especially Pakistanis and Chinese. The FC-1/JF-17 PT-4 will be officialy Inaugurated by Chinese and Pakistani officials in 2nd week of may (2006).

Thanx SABRE. i guess the planned visit of the pakistani president to china may be all about this project and the nuclear power issue:kar

 

[SABRE]

in additional news;

Although some parts are being already produced, the real production of JF-17 in Pakistan begins in June 2006.

 

[P.A.F]

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Pakistan+%26+Sub-Continent&month=May2006&file=World_News200605018635.xml

Pakistan to start JF17 production in 2007
Web posted at: 5/1/2006 8:6:35
Source ::: Internews

LAHORE: Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmoud Ahmed, chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will attend a formal ceremony to mark the first operational flight of the JF-17 (Thunder) fighter aircraft, a joint venture of Pakistan and China, at Chengdu on May 10.
The air chief marshal will witness the first aircraft (prototype 4 or P4) taking off from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force airbase in Chengdu. He will be heading a 10-member PAF delegation to see the first-ever Pakistan-China joint production lifting off.
With this take-off, the aircraft will enter into formal production at Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) in Sichuan. The CAC is the second largest aircraft industry in China. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra will start production of the aircraft in June 2007.
Pakistan is expected to get the first batch of four JF-17 Thunder (Chinese FC-1) in the first quarter of the next year (in March probably). The CAC-PAC joint venture has an accumulated cost tag of $500 million, while the aircraft will have a price tag of $15-20 million, depending on the specifications. Pakistan and China have shared the cost on the project equally.
Once developed and fully operational, the JF-17 might find potential markets in the Third World countries. Egypt, Burma, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Nigeria are closely watching the evolution of the aircraft.
The Thunder is a handy aircraft, a perfect alternative for sophisticated platforms at an affordable price. It has a top speed of 1.6 mach at low altitudes. It has a Russian RD-93 engine. Having a good weight-power equation, this light-weight aircraft will have a great manoeuvrability.
The aircraft can attain a ceiling of 16,500 metres, and has a ferry range of 3,000 kilometres. The aircraft has seven standard pylons (hard points, including four under the wings, two on the wing-tips and one under the fuselage), enabling the platform to carry multiple weaponry for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
It can carry a maximum weapon payload of 3,800 kilograms. The multi-role JF-17 can operate in all weathers, day and night and is fitted with two coloured multi-function displays (MFDs) and a head-up display (HUD), besides having the provision of helmet mounted display.
As for its avionics, the aircraft is fitted with Italian Grifo S-7 fir-control radar system. The PAF is already using the older versions of this system in its existing fleet of Mirage 111s, F-7Ps and F-16s.
The aircraft will use the Chinese SD-10 BVR (Beyond Visual Range) medium-range missiles besides short-range air-to-air armaments.
Though the exact range of the missiles has yet not been made public, it is expected the system (the radar and the integrated missile) will enhance the existing PAF potential from around 60 kilometres to around 100 kilometres.
The aircraft will be able to carry guided bombs (including laser guided bombs) by virtue of the Infra-red Navigation System and Global Position System (INS/GPS) installed on the platform. Its dual digitally controlled fly-by-wire (FBW) system will enhance its control and firing capability. The prototype to be flown on May 10 has been modified with work done on its air-intakes, strake and vertical fins, besides modifications in the fuselage.

 

[old faithful]

ok,but will all of the chinese built aircraft built in the first few years of production go to the PAF or PLAAF? It seems that the PAF have an URGENT need for these aircraft, and the PLAAF seem to be indifferent and focusing on J10.

 

[SABRE]

ok,but will all of the chinese built aircraft built in the first few years of production go to the PAF or PLAAF? It seems that the PAF have an URGENT need for these aircraft, and the PLAAF seem to be indifferent and focusing on J10.

The first batch of JF-17s (16 aircrafts) is probably going to be produced at CAC/China and units will be divided equally amongst PLAAF and PAF. After the induction of first batch in 2007, PAC/Pakistan will be producing JF-17s for PAF while CAC/China will be producing for PLAAF. Only in the 1st year (2006) CAC/China is probably going to produce JF-17s for Pakistan. That is also speculated. Some are saying PAC facility is under development and would start work from June2007 some say it is ready and can start working from June 2006. However, small parts production facility is functional and functioning (already at work).

Avoiding 2006 and taking 2007 in consideration as lead of 1st years, no PAC/Pakistan will produce PAF's Jf-17 while CAC/China will produce PLAAF's FC-1 from the first years. What China will build after 1st batch is for PLAAF and export and what PAC will build is for PAF and export.