Michael
VIP Member
The FTC2000, designated JL-9 in China, is an outdated trainer aircraft. Even its latest model, the JL-9G, despite numerous improvements and upgrades, remains an obsolete aircraft. The PLA (PLAAF + PLA Navy) is large, and the current production of our JL-10 cannot meet its urgent needs, which is why we still use the JL-9 as a trainer aircraft for pilots.I was referring to the FTC2000 in the role of LIFT and trainer, not heavy ground attack aircraft. The FTC2000 shares a lot of similarity in airframe and engine with the F7s the PAF already use. Although the JH7 would be a good ground attack aircraft, it would mean having to induct a new type in the PAF fleet, new airframe and new engine.
The PAF (Pakistan Air Force) is much smaller, and purchasing a small number of JL-10s would be a better option.
Now, the engine of the new FTC2000G has already been replaced, and it is not the same as the engine of the PAF's F-7.
The PAF's F-7 is too old and has little remaining value. The best option is to patiently wait for new fighter jets to replace them. It doesn't even have the value of being converted into a UAV.
I know Pakistanis have a deep emotional attachment to the JF-17 fighter jet. But we need to look at it more rationally.Yeah, I think we need to get realistic here and maybe just offload as much work as we can to China, maybe they can do the upgrades? Or as you say, with new inductions may not be much point upgrading the Block IIs.
PAC can continue to produce the JF-17B3, and can even make minor upgrades to it, but there's no need to invest too much money and effort into major upgrades. We need to understand that the JF-17 was originally designed as a cost-effective fighter jet.
We need to strike a balance between cost and performance. The current cost of the JF-17B3 is very close to that of the J-10CE. If we continue to upgrade the JF-17 to make it more advanced, its price might exceed that of the J-10CE.
In terms of fighter jet development, Pakistan needs to pursue a leapfrog (2-4-6) development approach with its partners, rather than a gradual (2-3-4-5-6) development approach.





