PAF F-16 | Discussions

[frontline360news]

The U.S. Air Force has planned to retire 125 F-16s as part of its phased withdrawal of the oldest and least capable models. This process began in September 2024 and is expected to continue over the next five years, concluding by 2029. What are the chances that a Trump administration might offer these older F-16s to Pakistan? Additionally, could Turkey potentially upgrade them, or is it too late for Pakistan to pursue the F-16? Might Pakistan be better off focusing on the PFX and Kaan as locally produced fighter jets?

 

[Yasser76]

The U.S. Air Force has planned to retire 125 F-16s as part of its phased withdrawal of the oldest and least capable models. This process began in September 2024 and is expected to continue over the next five years, concluding by 2029. What are the chances that a Trump administration might offer these older F-16s to Pakistan? Additionally, could Turkey potentially upgrade them, or is it too late for Pakistan to pursue the F-16? Might Pakistan be better off focusing on the PFX and Kaan as locally produced fighter jets?

Think it is safe to say we have moved on from the F-16. Incredible jet and one of the loves of my life!
For 20 years A/B version served us very well and scared India, for another 20 years C/D/MLU did the same.

V version is very good but both PAF and indeed IAF now in different game.

May 7th saw how a robust ecosystem could defeat almost anything thrown at it. 4.5th Gen jets, SAMs, EW, AEW, UAVs, Sats etc.

PAF is now firmly on a path to upgrade that ecosystem to the next level (J-35/FC-31, HQ-19 etc)

Unsure where/how F-16V fist into this. APG-83 and AIM-120D are great combo but we are now looking at a generation of aircraft and missiles beyond that, and all can be integrated into our kill chain, unlike the V

 

[Oscar]

ANY further post discussing damage to PAF facilities will be deleted and posteds banned from thread.

Talk to the topic at hand and F-16 role and capabilities .

Any posters found spamming threads with the same propaganda narrative on damage to PAF facilities will be banned from the forum POST HASTE.

 

[FuturePAF]

On the issue of an upgrade of the F-16 that would be worth it, in the context of the ABC system of the PAF, the Turks have been making progress on their EDPOD project. If the PAF shows interest in this project and asks to join it’s continued development, for use as a modern jammer (like the American next Gen jammer) as well as possibly a targeting pod, could this be a way to circumvent an upgrade of the main radar, for the A2G roles of EW/SEAD, and allow the PAF to use not only Turkish munitions but Pakistani made munitions on the F-16?

An article from 2014 said the pod per aircraft cost $2 million, but with requirement upgrades and inflation, the costs would surely be higher.

If we can get a modern upgrade to fit the A2G in the way I described above, procuring used F-16s and giving them this modest upgrade would make it a lot easier to see an expanded F-16 fleet replace the Mirages, perhaps doubling the F-16 squadrons from 4 to 8?

Turkish EW pod for F-16s completes developmental testing

Türkiye has showcased a new electronic warfare (EW) pod for its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft, announcing on 11 April that the Edpod had completed...

www.janes.com

A Turkish Air Force F-16 Block 40 successfully tests the new EDPOD tactical electronic support pod

Turkey’s defense research complex, in partnership with local companies, continues to develop and enhance capabilities to equip the Armed Forces’ combat

www.zona-militar.com

P.S. The PAF has a good relationship with SAAB, especially after how the Erieye was used. Now maybe a good time to try to procure one squadron worth of Arexis pods and associated equipment and support for our F-16s.

So our planes can do what the Gripens in full EW mode can do.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

On the issue of an upgrade of the F-16 that would be worth it, in the context of the ABC system of the PAF, the Turks have been making progress on their EDPOD project. If the PAF shows interest in this project and asks to join it’s continued development, for use as a modern jammer (like the American next Gen jammer) as well as possibly a targeting pod, could this be a way to circumvent an upgrade of the main radar, for the A2G roles of EW/SEAD, and allow the PAF to use not only Turkish munitions but Pakistani made munitions on the F-16?

An article from 2014 said the pod per aircraft cost $2 million, but with requirement upgrades and inflation, the costs would surely be higher.

If we can get a modern upgrade to fit the A2G in the way I described above, procuring used F-16s and giving them this modest upgrade would make it a lot easier to see an expanded F-16 fleet replace the Mirages, perhaps doubling the F-16 squadrons from 4 to 8?

Turkish EW pod for F-16s completes developmental testing

Türkiye has showcased a new electronic warfare (EW) pod for its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft, announcing on 11 April that the Edpod had completed...

www.janes.com

A Turkish Air Force F-16 Block 40 successfully tests the new EDPOD tactical electronic support pod

Turkey’s defense research complex, in partnership with local companies, continues to develop and enhance capabilities to equip the Armed Forces’ combat

www.zona-militar.com

P.S. The PAF has a good relationship with SAAB, especially after how the Erieye was used. Now maybe a good time to try to procure one squadron worth of Arexis pods and associated equipment and support for our F-16s.

So our planes can do what the Gripens in full EW mode can do.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

The PAF is like "Hotel California" vis-a-vis its procurements!

"Relax, " said the night man, "We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave"

 

[FuturePAF]

The PAF is like "Hotel California" vis-a-vis its procurements!

"Relax, " said the night man, "We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave"

Good song. Welcome to the Hotel PAF, such a lovely place, such a lovely place. 5 stars by Abhinandan.

What Turkish pod matches the Arexis pod, or can do what I described? Mehpod?

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

ABD Donanması yeni elektronik harp podunu test etti

ABD Donanması'na ait bir F18 EA-18G Growler elektronik harp uçağına, Raytheon tarafından geliştirilen NGJ-MB sinyal karıştırıcı entegre edildi.

www.defenceturk.net

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Good song. Welcome to the Hotel PAF, such a lovely place, such a lovely place. 5 stars by Abhinandan.

What Turkish pod matches the Arexis pod, or can do what I described? Mehpod?

In fact, originally it was called MEHPOD (Milli Elektronik Harp POD). I think they've renamed it....

 

[RafaleSlayer]

The U.S. Air Force has planned to retire 125 F-16s as part of its phased withdrawal of the oldest and least capable models. This process began in September 2024 and is expected to continue over the next five years, concluding by 2029. What are the chances that a Trump administration might offer these older F-16s to Pakistan? Additionally, could Turkey potentially upgrade them, or is it too late for Pakistan to pursue the F-16? Might Pakistan be better off focusing on the PFX and Kaan as locally produced fighter jets?

why would we need that junk

 

[frontline360news]

why would we need that junk

Pakistan's F-16 fleet has served as a crucial deterrent against India for the past 4 decades. Even older F-16s can be upgraded and remain operational for another 10 years. If Pakistan can still utilize 40 year-old Mirages, then maintaining 30-year-old F-16s is certainly feasible. Pakistan still has over 100 aging fighters that will eventually need replacement.

The question you should be asking: Does Pakistan even need these older F-16s when its aging Mirages and F-7s can be replaced with more advanced JF-17 Block IIIs and J-10C fighters? and not compare them as Junk.

 

[ThrustVector998]

Pakistan's F-16 fleet has served as a crucial deterrent against India for the past 4 decades. Even older F-16s can be upgraded and remain operational for another 10 years. If Pakistan can still utilize 40 year-old Mirages, then maintaining 30-year-old F-16s is certainly feasible. Pakistan still has over 100 aging fighters that will eventually need replacement.

The question you should be asking: Does Pakistan even need these older F-16s when its aging Mirages and F-7s can be replaced with more advanced JF-17 Block IIIs and J-10C fighters? and not compare them as Junk.

Now any more F-16s are nothing special to us in capability until they come with AMRAAM C7 or D variants. Imo PAF should not go for these ex USAF F-16s until they are 'free' of cost or with these missile and radar ugrades. With Regards to F7s and Mirages, we should save up resources to spend on more block 3s or J-10s. They offer us much more than those F-16s and more importantly come without any strings attached.

 

[FuturePAF]

why would we need that junk

Cheaper replacements for the Mirages, especially IF we can use them, primarily for the A2G role and give them a SLEP to get 4000 more hours out of the air frames.

200 hours a year, these birds could soldier on for 15-20 more years.

A more capable air frame than the mirages, which we badly need to replace. We have the infrastructure in place to support them.

 

[Ali_Baba]

Cheaper replacements for the Mirages, especially IF we can use them, primarily for the A2G role and give them a SLEP to get 4000 more hours out of the air frames.

200 hours a year, these birds could soldier on for 15-20 more years.

A more capable air frame than the mirages, which we badly need to replace. We have the infrastructure in place to support them.

It comes down to the cost of the upgrade itself relative to say a JF17C new build given we have much better infrastructure to support the JF17 fleet in Pakistan now.

 

[FuturePAF]

The U.S. Air Force has planned to retire 125 F-16s as part of its phased withdrawal of the oldest and least capable models. This process began in September 2024 and is expected to continue over the next five years, concluding by 2029. What are the chances that a Trump administration might offer these older F-16s to Pakistan? Additionally, could Turkey potentially upgrade them, or is it too late for Pakistan to pursue the F-16? Might Pakistan be better off focusing on the PFX and Kaan as locally produced fighter jets?

The PAF can try to procure them under “excess defense articles” terms, open to official allies, such as Pakistan. Price is usually a tenth compared to the price for a new unit; so probably for $5-8 million per aircraft.

 

[FuturePAF]

It comes down to the cost of the upgrade itself relative to say a JF17C new build given we have much better infrastructure to support the JF17 fleet in Pakistan now.

You’re right, thankfully the PAF has the choice, so they can really decide on cost.

 

[frontline360news]

The PAF can try to procure them under “excess defense articles” terms, open to official allies, such as Pakistan. Price is usually a tenth compared to the price for a new unit; so probably for $5-8 million per aircraft.

If this cheaper alternative was adopted by Pakistan, Turkey can help them upgrade. Some of the Turkish F-16s were upgraded with MURAD AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar from ASELSAN. Also, GÖKTUĞ air-to-air missile series (Bozdoğan WVR & Gökdoğan BVR) can be integrated. Pakistan is working on local copy of same BVR missile.