Pakistan JF-17 production starts from 21/1/08

[BilalK]

RC-400 is only one of the radar in competition for the next batch of JF-17s and I don't it will win out. China will come up with something better for the second batch.

The 2nd batch will probably enter production around 2010-2011, and I think there is a good chance that a decent AESA radar will compete for that batch. Ultimately the PAF wants to equip its JF-17s with AESA, and from 2010 Chinese AESA projects for fighters should be fairly extensive, at least IMO.

According to the PAF ACM during the recent press conference; plans are underway to increase JF-17's hardpoint count from 7 to 9. I imagine we may also see increase in fuel capacity as well...quite the fiesty little beast.

 

[SABRE]

If so i'm wondering if Pakistan will benifit from any foregin sales and if so by how much? Who would produce the export platforms?

This was debated a lot for couple of years, until Pakistani PM (Shaukat Aziz; now Ex-PM) revealed that both countries will be exporting it on their own behalf (After all both have 50%-50% share in it). But I believe there would always be an interaction between the two before approving export to any state. So far it seems to go like this:

China = Exporting to Zimbabwe (12 Units)
Pakistan = Exporting to Azerbaijan (24 Units)

Both deals, although hyped, are still pending in an agreement to be signed.

 

[tphuang]

Let me congratulate you guys on a handy little fighter. $15-20m USD is dirt cheap for that kind of capability, (comperable to early F16's in most aspects), the JF-17 represents one of the best value for money platforms at the low end of the market. Even without MICA, PL 12 is a handy weapon (Is there any provision for R73 if required?). Supersonic, BVR and PGM capability for $20m..... Bargain basement and hard to refuse for many "less wealthy" buyers.

PL-12 is not up for sale, SD-10 is. I think as far as weapon goes, it's pretty standard, you can equip it with any Western missiles. Although, most will probably just go with Chinese ones, since it will already be tested. Depending on the package, $20 million is probably overstating the price.

Considering that the JF-17 should have a very bright future in the export market in africa and South america. If so i'm wondering if Pakistan will benifit from any foregin sales and if so by how much? Who would produce the export platforms?

It will be fighting against second hand teen fighters, M2Ks and such. I think in terms of profit and such, it will be shared half and half. But what China probably will get money on is selling production lines, servicing packages, missiles, engines and avionics to other country. After all, the suppliers for JF-17 are all in China.

 

[Ozzy Blizzard]

As a side not, was there any connectionbetween the JF-17 Thunder and the F-20 tigershark? Apart from a strong visual resemblence their performance statitics are similar aswell.

 

[crobato]

As a side not, was there any connectionbetween the JF-17 Thunder and the F-20 tigershark? Apart from a strong visual resemblence their performance statitics are similar aswell.

No not at all. Form follows function, and both aircraft have similar functions.

The F-20 is actually much lighter, and have greater TWR, but at the same time its wings are also much smaller, leading to a high wing load, which can lead to accidents, and indeed led to it tragically.

The JF-17 has a frame that allows for more growth potential although it is heavier. The radar it has now appears larger than the APG-67 the F-20 has.

 

[suddendeath]

yes it going upgrades at pac to improve performance and increased hard points
it is also being intergrated to the awacs pakistan has such as saab and
also radar intergration.
personally i would have liked the french radar suite i comes
with mica air to air misslies.