Thanks much for the reply. This is what I was looking for. Yes we need the SLEP done before your spend $1B plus to upgrade avionics and armament suite on 72+ airframes.
IMO SLEP will only come for Blk52s because it has life. The Blk15s cannot be extended beyond UP/STAR (which PAF has already done). Those units are done by 2040 and won't see any V upgrade; the real focus is the Blk52s, which LM can extend by 6000+ hours, making them viable to like 2060-2070.Thanks much for the reply. This is what I was looking for. Yes we need the SLEP done before your spend $1B plus to upgrade avionics and armament suite on 72+ airframes.
I just hope bulk of work is done @ Kamra.
I need to aks sheikh gpt what is that nugget of info that you hinted in the last line
Would it be worth it for just 18 Blk52s?IMO SLEP will only come for Blk52s because LM is offering . The Blk15s cannot be extended beyond UP/STAR (which PAF has already done). Those units are done by 2040 and won't see any V upgrade; the real focus is the Blk52s, which LM can extend by 6000+ hours, making them viable to like 2060-2070.
But yes, there's a thing in the deal that is purely F-16V/Blk72; it's not SLEP
makes sense the f16 are huge leverage on us , Americans dont want to loose it
why only 18?
I think you're reading too much into that date of 2040. You're implying that the US government is pushing the defence industry to provide a replacement fighter for a country like Pakistan? That's stretching it a bit far I would say.IMO SLEP will only come for Blk52s because it has life. The Blk15s cannot be extended beyond UP/STAR (which PAF has already done). Those units are done by 2040 and won't see any V upgrade; the real focus is the Blk52s, which LM can extend by 6000+ hours, making them viable to like 2060-2070.
But yes, there's a thing in the deal that is purely F-16V/Blk72; it's not SLEP
That said, the State Department putting 2040 in the statement is clear signalling to the US defence industry. The US govt is saying, "hey, these F-16s will fly till 2040, they need a replacement."
The MLUs and Block 52s in PAF have Link 16 capabilities.
If Block 15 air frame life can't be extended, would be pointless pushing for V upgrade for them, that only leaves the the 18 Blk52s for potential SLEP and V upgrade.
Not necessarily F-16V block 72 upgrade but but but ? what is the progress of our FAAZ 2? is it near production? or is Turk gave us their BVR?IMO SLEP will only come for Blk52s because it has life. The Blk15s cannot be extended beyond UP/STAR (which PAF has already done). Those units are done by 2040 and won't see any V upgrade; the real focus is the Blk52s, which LM can extend by 6000+ hours, making them viable to like 2060-2070.
But yes, there's a thing in the deal that is purely F-16V/Blk72; it's not SLEP
That said, the State Department putting 2040 in the statement is clear signalling to the US defence industry. The US govt is saying, "hey, these F-16s will fly till 2040, they need a replacement."
Also we dont haveALCM on F-16 from US? i guess but we have our own Ra'ad/Taimur?
It'd easily be a $10-12 bn program to replace those Block-15s. If LM doesn't secure it, AVIC will, and right now the White House doesn't want to lose any deals of that size to China. Moreover, pressure is mounting on countries to chill with their big Chinese imports, Pakistan won't be an exception IMO (e.g., IMF, FATF, EXIM loans, FDI, etc and other leverage points). The PAF might be the best positioned to sort of balance the matter.
No, there is literally a specific input listed in the notification that is a literal F-16V or Block-70/72 subsystem that has nothing to do with the Link-16 buy. It's in the written notification.Not necessarily F-16V block 72 upgrade but but but ? what is the progress of our FAAZ 2? is it near production? or is Turk gave us their BVR?
Than i am talking about something else and let me ask you as you being expert, can we integrate our own ALCM on F-16? if we are provided after this upgrade?
How would the PAF fund USD10-12bn to replace their viper fleet? This isn't the 80s anymore with US aid. New Vipers, in addition to more J10CE, potentially Block4/PFX JF17, separate PFX, and J35 is all unaffordable.
