Pakistan's Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircrafts

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

For the F-16s and western origin equipment in PAF service.

yeah I know that

 

[Lion]

I'm hearing reports of (at least one) ZDK-03 in China possibly being re-fitted with new equipment from their other Y-8/Y-9 (GX series) electronic warfare platforms. Is that the case or are they still to be primarily used as AEW? @farooqbhai @Oscar

One of the ZDKs (with its Radome Still equipped) was at Xi’an’s Testing and Evaluation Center in Shaanxi, China in the second half of 2024. It’s still there as per most recent Google Earth images (a few months old).

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I feel the ZDK-03 , would rapidly get upgrades while Saab was good in 2007 , but with Chinese Tech advancing rapidly , their Radar solution would quickly catch up to Western Standards, I mean we are in 2025

Chinese Tech is moving at quite a rapid pace

I am pretty sure the Tech update in 2025 would be massively big improvement compared to the initial offering for the craft back in 2005's

 

[Scorpio]

why we need Link 16 if we have indigenous link 17 working for both western/eastern platforms J-10C/F-16/JF-17 and for Mirages?

As per my info link 16 only works with Saabs 2000 and F16s .. even our ZDK-03 AWACS cant talk to F16s ..

So similarly same case will be for KJ500 or any other Chinese platform

 

[Ali Yusuf]

In my humble opinion, it is doubtful that we are operating EriEye-ER.

Because it provides the same surveillance range as the base EriEye at 31000 feet, i.e., the service ceiling of the Saab-2000 platform we are already operating.

In order to utilize its full extended range, it requires a platform that can operate at 34000 feet or above. That is why GlobalEye uses Bombardier Global-6000, which has a service ceiling of 51000 feet.

So, using EriEye-ER with Saab-2000 provides no range advantage over our existing Saab-2000-based EriEye (base version).

 

[SD 10]

NO, we have no plan to buy globaleye, we have just recently inducted one erieye ER on SAAB 340, and Sweden is not China that they could give us heavy discount, and installing on older regional jets can take lots of time and resources ($$$) just like we are in the process of integrating different systems on our upcoming MPA SEA SULTAN

It lot easier to buy brand new KJ-500/700 from China rather than buying globaleye

when did we induct erieye ER?

 

[White Privilege]

Don't forget F16s upgradation and maybe new ones as well in future

If the new Vipers don't being anything to the table that out ranges PL-15, but also increases our infrastructure invest costs to accomodate the newer units, then its a bad deal

 

[RajaBaja]

If the new Vipers don't being anything to the table that out ranges PL-15, but also increases our infrastructure invest costs to accomodate the newer units, then its a bad deal

I've been saying it since Trump got elected. We don't need NEW F-16's. We do need upgrades, so block 52 should be upgraded to block 70 AESA. The rest of older one's should get upgrades from Turkey.

Like you said, AMRAAM-D's, even approved, can't effectively compete against the Meteor, whether in range or NEZ. So no new platforms please. However, older F-16's upgraded to Murad AESA and later with Turkish-Pakistani BVR's might get to PL-15 range. But they won't be compatible with US upgraded jets that will operate AMRAAM-D's. That seems like the end of F-16's lifetime in Pakistan.

One of the ZDKs (with its Radome Still equipped) was at Xi’an’s Testing and Evaluation Center in Shaanxi, China in the second half of 2024. It’s still there as per most recent Google Earth images (a few months old).View attachment 135947

Some will convert into KJ-500, some will become EW support.

 

[Ali_Baba]

why we need Link 16 if we have indigenous link 17 working for both western/eastern platforms J-10C/F-16/JF-17 and for Mirages?

I dont think the F16s support Link 16. There is more likely a 'Link 17 <-? Link 16' bridge to integrate the F16s into the backbone. The F16s can natively talk to the Erieye, but the Link-16 will be done via a bridge for sure.

Pakistan has no ability, or rights to modify any aspect of the F16s. This is the problem with buying "American".

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I dont think the F16s support Link 16. There is more likely a 'Link 17 <-? Link 16' bridge to integrate the F16s into the backbone. The F16s can natively talk to the Erieye, but the Link-16 will be done via a bridge for sure.

Pakistan has no ability, or rights to modify any aspect of the F16s. This is the problem with buying "American".

Who is stopping Pakistani Pilots to carry a portable comm device in F16 or Portable comm pod ? Huh. It would be possible to create small pod which changes signals and relays it to Chinese system

However most folks indicating the obvious , F16 is showing it's age

F16 can play a valuable role in other capacity, sometime it is ok to accept limitation of platform , and move to another platform which offers more , better communication and awareness. Better weapon package.

F16 I am sure can still play vital role, an adjusted role in Air Force

The Weapon Package in F16 did serve PAF between 2005 to 2025 it was good upgrade to C/D standard, back in the day

While it is still a good platform for PAF for short term other options now exist

A F16 upgrade would also resolve some issues, extending usage another 12-15 years

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

when did we induct erieye ER?

after 2020, I think in 2023 or in 2024

 

[Scorpio]

I've been saying it since Trump got elected. We don't need NEW F-16's. We do need upgrades, so block 52 should be upgraded to block 70 AESA. The rest of older one's should get upgrades from Turkey.

Like you said, AMRAAM-D's, even approved, can't effectively compete against the Meteor, whether in range or NEZ. So no new platforms please. However, older F-16's upgraded to Murad AESA and later with Turkish-Pakistani BVR's might get to PL-15 range. But they won't be compatible with US upgraded jets that will operate AMRAAM-D's. That seems like the end of F-16's lifetime in Pakistan.




Some will convert into KJ-500, some will become EW support.

New F16 not make sense at all ..
there are alot of reasons including American can block there handover anytime instead most probably will block, then cost and last restrictions of use...

Block 52 upgrade with V kits are sensible option ... that will add capabilities ...
But in case if done at turkey otherwise if sent to US for upgrades can be blocked as well ... American style ..

Secondly first wr have count cost of these upgrades vs new J10c induction cost ...

About old blocks jets Turkish upgrade are good option.. but first to look at life left in there airframe and upgrade cost comparison...

 

[Goenitz]

One of the ZDKs (with its Radome Still equipped) was at Xi’an’s Testing and Evaluation Center in Shaanxi, China in the second half of 2024. It’s still there as per most recent Google Earth images (a few months old).View attachment 135947

It has all aircraft types. A museum or all type aircraft maintenance facility?

 

[Lion]

It has all aircraft types. A museum or all type aircraft maintenance facility?

Neither. I believe It’s a test center for the Xi’an aircraft corporation.

 

[Ak01]

Pakistan has no ability, or rights to modify any aspect of the F16s. This is the problem with buying "American".

same with anyone. incl chinese.