Re: Which Aircraft Should PAF opt for?
Pakistan should consider the following:-
1) Get the MLU for its F-16s with Grifo-2000 radar (under TOT) and the whole MLU must be done at kamra. In this exercise, we will be able to integrate SD-10, T-Darter and other BVR missiles into F-16.
2) Get J-10 as soon as possible so that we can replace its radar with Grifo-2000 radar from indigenous expertise. J-10 can be converted to any role from air-to-air to air-to-ground. J-10 can also be given anti-ship missions just like we gave this to Mirages. J-10 can hold more payload than most of aircrafts like Mirages, A-5. As estimated, J-10’s maximum taking-off weight is around 18 tons, including 7 tons of weapons, equivalent to that of heavy fighter B-29 used during the World War II, and this is quite distinguished among light fighters. With strong external loading capacity it can effectively launch attacks towards the ground and sea. Twin-engine naval variant of the J-10 will soon be available. Also J-10 has 11 hard-points greater than almost all the fighters available in our inventory. With large engine thrust and canards, it is more agile than any other fighter of our inventory. Also it can be easily upgraded to Pak standards. We can integrate latest avionics system into J-10 just we will do in the case of JF-17.
3) We shall induct different weapons system from different sources for our aircrafts for more reliability and less dependency on others. Like T-darter for Mirages & JF-17, SD-10 & A-Darter for all aircrafts, Ukrainian BVR’s for specified aircrafts. In this way, there will be competition between the vendors and they will provide new variations and new releases. But the best thing is that we should bring all with TOT.
4) For JF-17, once we get Tot of all its equipment, we should consider upgrading this aircraft like installing composite material with the help of South Africa, more refined material can be used in the engine with the help of Ukraine. I mean to say that quality of the aircraft should never be compromised. Proper placement of equipment, right equipment with compact design, easier handling and maintenance, composite material for lighter weight, high-speed processors with parallel processing, FBW and latest radar can make the fighter aircraft more deadly.