PAF F-16 | Discussions

[Oscar]

True, but what the PAF wants in terms of wishlist from the US is subject to change on a dime in US politics, as history has shown.

Yes but the current state has been taken care of as far as future PAF plans are concerned from a minimum operational relevance perspective.

What you saw applied with MDO with just J-10C and JF-17C will extend to ALL of PAF fleet with some differences in systems capabilities

 

[Yasser76]

it is debatable if we need block 72 or not as it wud take a minimum of 5 years for them to be flown here.
However, what is possible fairly early are the Iraqi Vipers. If only US would approve of it then it is more worthwhile to have them and our block 52s upgraded to viper standard.

Yeah, unsure why any air force right now would not invest in 5th gen if it was available to them

 

[Pakistanithinktank]

Yeah, unsure why any air force right now would not invest in 5th gen if it was available to them

Agreed, It doesn’t make sense to get new F-16, surplus/used might be helpful but nothing is free and after upgrade it will cost the same as buying new J-10C. Pakistan should get more J-10C and prepare for J-35A.

 

[Yasser76]

Agreed, It doesn’t make sense to get new F-16, surplus/used might be helpful but nothing is free and after upgrade it will cost the same as buying new J-10C. Pakistan should get more J-10C and prepare for J-35A.

The J-10C/J-35 are a complete mystery to Indians, the F-16V less so, LMTAS even briefed them heavily on this when pitching the "F-21" and of course Greeks will help them out on tactical exercises too. All of this surely has some signficance too. Combined with the fact that just a few months ago we had J-10Cs flying over Iran ready to take on Israeli F-16s/F-15s....

 

[atmi_bum]

does post 2470 had a point?

Yes, it does. It's not my fault you don't understand it.

 

[Starlord]

Yes, it does. It's not my fault you don't understand it.

My post also has a point, Its not my fault you didn't understand it.

 

[Trailer23]

it is debatable if we need block 72 or not as it wud take a minimum of 5 years for them to be flown here.
However, what is possible fairly early are the Iraqi Vipers. If only US would approve of it then it is more worthwhile to have them and our block 52s upgraded to viper standard.

​

@Oscar @Yasser76 @hasssanali8998 @Starlord

 

[ghazi52]

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[FuturePAF]

Agreed, It doesn’t make sense to get new F-16, surplus/used might be helpful but nothing is free and after upgrade it will cost the same as buying new J-10C. Pakistan should get more J-10C and prepare for J-35A.

A small order of perhaps 8-12 Block 72 (probably a $1.2-1.8 Billion acquisition) would carry a psychological weight for Indian planners and get the US government to approve the Ozgur upgrade for other jets. Operating such an F-16 would also get the PAF back into exercises such as Red Flag, and let the PAF participate in the training with the USAF, just off the Iran war; real world implementation of AI to carry out warfare. Btw, a small order of 8-12 may be enough for PAF to try to procure within the remainder of Trump’s term, if they can try to get Trump to have the PAF skip to the front of the line and lock in the sale before 2027 and delivery before 2029.

A further 8-12 F-16 could be given the Ozgur upgrade (probably a $0.8-1.2 Billion acquisition), bridging the PAF into the KAAN program with a common platform, and let the PAF give feedback on systems and real world user experience. Continuous upgrades on Ozgur F-16s could possibly see the evolution of control of CCAs such as the Kizilema from the F-16 directly.

So it’s a $2-3 billion investment into the future, to be prepared for the next 10-15 years of warfare.

These two batches could form one “Western oriented” squadron, freeing up resources to procure more J-10CE, while getting the most in the A2A domain with the F-16.

Further the rest of the remaining F-16 fleet could get a SLEP (as well as Turkish “UBAS” work around to integrating weapons without changing the avionics) and orientation towards the long range air strike role, able to carry US and Turkish munitions, such as the SOM class of cruise missiles. With their longer airframe lives, these birds could carry heavier munitions, further and also be ready for keeping an eye on threats in Afghanistan as well as out at sea and standoff strikes on India. The F-16 could also make a good common airframe upon which Pakistan and Türkiye could build a fleet of EW fighters (akin to the Growler). Turkey already has the EHPOD and EDPOD. especially good if they work in conjunction with the Havasoj.

All this as more J-10CE get procured, and take up the A2A role, and allowing the F-16 to take on other roles.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Yup i rememebr H Khan as obnoxious and rude Mr"I know it all " type bunghole. He openly insulted other members and blew his lid off every now and then when his scoopes turned out to be false.

He used to be a hardcore pro-American until the US carried out the OBL Raid in on 02 May 2011. Him and others like him realised their auqaat that day.

After that, Pakistan as a nation decided to take a different path and relations with China became it's number one priority at the expense of the US.

Any bastard (Shaikh Chilli or not) trying to change that will learn it's place.

 

[FuturePAF]

Max load out of:

J10CE: 6,000kg
JFT Block 3: 3,600Kg
Mirage 3/5: 3,600/4,000KG
F-16A/C: 7,000/7,700Kg

It is a no brainer. With the long stick being built around PL-15 equipped J-10CE and JFT Block 3 and impending retirement of numerous sub marks of Mirages, the interdiction role of F-16 stands out. If we can procure three to four air refuelers equipped with boom refueling setup that can tank up F-16's, and integration of non US munitions, and with enhanced Link-16 upgrades already in progress along with the capability to directly data link with Ereyes, it is a win-win for PAF.

The other advantage is the possibility of numerous Pratt and Whitney equipped F-16 being operated by various air forces that might soon be coming up for retirement::

Europe: Poland, Italy, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Portugal.
Asia-Pacific: South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Middle East: Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, and Oman, Iraq.

The Ozgur upgrades is, altogether another track that can be taken but depends upon what can squeezed out of US.

The combo IMO is lethal; high weapons load, self-defense capability in the shape of AIM-120C or later versions if they can be sourced, ability to operate in proven PAF netcentric environment. But above all, many many hours of combat experience of operating this bird by the PAF.

My 2C worth

Perhaps it might be better to modify the F-16 and stick to the larger fleet of rogue and probe refuelers, which could be used across the fleet, as well as a cargo plane, such as the Y-20. Then a squadron of F-16, with a SLEP, and the support of tankers, could really be the best platform to support the PN, with its highest max loadout amongst PAF aircraft.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Thing is people reposting the crappy X accounts on here gives them wider coverage and a greater incentive to post crap

Also gives the poor fellas a job to pay off their bills.

Job Title: Lies Generator
Salary: Dependent of lies viewed, liked, shared and subscribed.

They know a mere mention of F-16 is going to charge people emotionally.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Maybe, but a small possibility, and I will only whisper it for fear of backlash, is that PAF themselves may no longer care for more new F-16s anymore....

We will only settle for F-35s. They still owes over $4 billion.