If we go back to the original ASR's and the indications of what the PAF wanted, the J-35 was not it.
We also have seen no signs of any firm commitment towards the J-35 yet, no matter how much the press releases show J35's, i am yet to spot any indication that an induction is in the works. We would certainly see some things being done, like new constructions at airbases.
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for reference, j35 has like a 50+ foot wingspan.
So new HAS are a given at the very least.
Also, we dont see any trainer procurement, this i think is the KEY sign that a NGFA is in the works, the PAF's current training setup, F-7s etc arent going to support pilots very well, yeah basic flying is basic flying, but as we move forward in tech, giving crews exposure from day one to the fundamental technologies they'll employ when flying their eventual type is handy.
Its effectively like training in a cessna, but being thrown in a 737. Yeah, planes fly, itll go up, itll go down, but other than some basic flying, is there anything he can take with him to his 737 job... probably not much.
I do think the TFX aligns far better with what the PAF wants/needs. It also is an opportunity at the moment still, where if we buy in early, we can get some concessions, integration of our payloads more freely etc. I will be very surprised for example if China allows Ra'ad integration on the J-35. They dont need their name on Pakistani nuclear assets, its a bad look for them. The Turks OTOH could give us free reign on what we do in exchange for buying in early for example, i.e PAC could be allowed to freely integrate weapons of its choice, or we could be setup as some sort of industrial partner, even if it is just producing bulkheads like.
Eventually something needs to happen with PAC, Pak knows this. It cant carry on producing jf17s forever. As mirages die, factories become idle, and for PAC to die, even though its a mess, would be a strategic blunder. So, something needs to be built there, will China let us support the J35 supply chain? Probably not. Will the Turks rope us into their ecosystem, VERY Likely. PAC unless you put some serious investment in, wont be producing jets forever, which is fine, who cares, but PAC could transition from a final production facility, into an industrial partner, producing vast swathes of other parts for industry. Imagine if TAI brought manufacturing into Pakistan for the variety of their platforms. PAC would have a factory producing Hurjet bits, one producing TFX bits, the other for Hurkus, etc etc. Its not what people envision for PAC, but i think it might actually be a reasonable way forward. Now if only the PAF sold a stake in PAC to another entity, like TAI for example.
IF, and its a big IF the J-35 makes its way into the PAF, i dont think it would be on its merit or capabilities, but because of Dictator Sidhu Sahib's desire to cement a legacy, so he can retire and tell people he was the one who turned the PAF into a
Next Jeneration Air Phorce, as he loves to show off in the press releases. Its all contracts being handed willy nilly to a select few Chinese vendors, but the question is, are they being offered on merit of the product, or again, so small man sidhu can get a kick out of it and make himself feel like hes done something.
