14 More F16 for PAF (Approved by US)

[Aamir Hussain]

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My assesment:

The original lot of 80's F-16
The 12+4+2 varoius Blocks that are supposed to be MLU'd
The 18 Block 52
The latest "Gift:" 14 F-16 (if given for free than various blocks -- MLU would have to be paid for by Pakistan. These might be the very same planes that were earmarked for target drones!!!!) If these were the latest block than there was no need for a new agreement by US since it had already agreed to a 36 ship deal; 18 firm orders with an option for 18 more.

In total an 82 a/c force!!!!

[air marshal]

18 F-16s with BVR missile system to start joining PAF by June: Air Chief
March 27, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said PAF would start getting the lot of 18 latest version of F-16 fighting falcon aircraft fitted with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile system by June this year.

Briefing newsmen on the on-going High Mark-2010 Exercise by PAF in collusion with Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy, the Chief of Air Staff said the delivery of aircraft to Pakistan would complete by the end of current year.

He, however, did not disclose the number of BVR systems being acquired from the US, but said in addition to 18 F-16s, Pakistan has also been negotiating to get another lot of 14 aircraft of same version, besides getting other modern gadgets and weapons.

“Our wish-list is unending, but we are heading with the realistic approach,” he said when was asked about the PAF’s wish-list from the US.

He said the indigenously developed aircraft with the help of friendly country China JF-17 (Thunder) has been producing much better results than expectations, especially its weapon system.

He told another questioner that the existing lot of F-16s in the PAF inventory would be upgraded to the level of Block 52 series in Turkey and the project would be completed by 2014.

Highlighting the importance of High Mark-2010, he said significance of the exercise could be gauged from the fact that the air force had been engaging all its assets, especially those recently inducted in its inventory like, Early Air Warning and Control System, JF-17 Thunder and Air to Air refueller.

Besides, he said Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy have also been taking part in wholesome manner in the exercise which has been tailored to carry out joint and solo operations in accordance with the need that may occur.

He said the exercise is being carried out in the near to real situation with the aim to give mastery to the fighter pilots on avoiding collateral damage as in the past maximum efforts were made to avoid civilian casualties during the anti-terrorist operations.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said this joint exercise not only focusses on to deal with the threat from the traditional rival, but also from the potential unconventional enemy.

When his attention was drawn towards the Indian doctrine of carrying out surgical strikes in the wake of Mumbai attacks, the PAF chief said the air force had immediately developed strategy to counter the threat which barred the adversary to opt for any extreme option.

“Our response time during such situations is from 2 to 6 minutes from the ground,” he responded in a firm manner. He said knowing the capability of PAF the adversary did not dare to take any step.

He said PAF has been keeping a watchful eye to safeguard the frontiers of the country and effective systems are already in place to meet with any situation.

In reply to a question, he said PAF had already been using Unarmed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology for reconnaissance purposes while it hardly needs to go for armed aerial vehicle.

He said the Exercise High Mark is being carried out from the existing financial resources available with the PAF as no additional allocations have been sought from the government for the purpose.

Answering another question, he said the coalition forces hardly commit any violation of Pakistan’s air while Pakistan had always strongly protested in case of any airspace violation by the coalition forces in Afghanistan.

He said that Pakistan and India back in 1991 had reached a mutual agreement not to enter in air space from 10 km of the border with the aim to avoid any violations.

He said there was no threat from the western border while a sizeable number of aircraft are continuously guarding the eastern border, which are not a part of the exercise High Mark 2010.

Detailed briefings were also given to the senior media-persons who were especially invited by the Air Chief to impart first hand information on the exercise, which has been entering its most important phase of fire power show.

In the next phase which would be the culminating part of the exercise, contingents from Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy would also participate.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

[karan.1970]

^^ so is this a done deal or are the negotiations WIP..??

Different News media are reporting different version of this...

[Mani2020]

Yes but celebrating for 14 used F-16 to be delivered in 2014 shows childish behavior. If we were getting 48 or more used F-16 then I migh have agreed. They will make us sing and dance for years then deliver without new electronics. May be small states like Iceland or Singapore be satisfied with 14 F-16 but we face hundreds of top fighters in India. We need Nuclear and Free trade deals with US and should not be satisfied with 14 used F-16. May be some poster should brush up on history when US abondened and put us under several layers sanctions after Soviet withdrawl from Afghanistan. Now there is another withdrwal from Afghanistan we are again being duped. "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it".

Sir as a matter of fact u have no other choice neither u have enough budget to go for more nor u have other options available ,you cant buy an 80million Rafale nor u can buy 100 million EF200 ,forget about Russia

Yes you have china but thn? their technology is not mature yet plus CHINA have only two fighters available for sale to PAF j-11 and j-10 and u are buying j-10 but then from where will u get another fighter? u have to go to US and ask them

So there is no way to run at the end of the day you have to meet ur needs by any means

[Tiger Awan]

Yes you have china but thn? their technology is not mature yet plus CHINA have only two fighters available for sale to PAF j-11 and j-10 and u are buying j-10 but then from where will u get another fighter? u have to go to US and ask them

So there is no way to run at the end of the day you have to meet ur needs by any means

yup, there should be some reply to Indian MRCA.

When it comes to JF-17 people say it is a scrap. nothing that will help us. F-16 is far far far better than JF-17. And now when we are going to have some F-16s ...................


And 5th generation AC is far away from now. At least 7-8 years.

[Ghareeb_Da_Baal]

The Air Chief disclosed the information during a press conference today.

Bhai Ji, I was asking about the Israel offering to sell to Pak.
Is there a link to this press conference?

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

^^ so is this a done deal or are the negotiations WIP..??

Different News media are reporting different version of this...

Looks like done deal

[Mani2020]

Bhai Ji, I was asking about the Israel offering to sell to Pak.
Is there a link to this press conference?

Sir Israel previously offered their ELTA radar for jf-17 through China ...opened your eyes? yeah its true red it few years back

[faisalwali786]

Good news for Pakistan
But this should not hamper our own process of development in the field of Avionics.
We should spend more and more on Engine development no matter if it takes another 10 years. Rest Pakistan is working in one way or the other.

Enjoy the Power dear Brothers

[Mani2020]

As an Indian I don't care how many F-16's US keeps giving you. these are like bones US throws at you to calm you down. India does not need to worry about 20-30 extra jets in PAF .

control your language

Moderator report this post

[Mani2020]

..our army chief says we need 50 more jets and the next thing we know India orders 50 more jets

somebody tell this poor fanboy that army chief donot ask for more jets or tenders

[qsaark]

These are like bones US throws at you to calm you down.

While you are not wrong in calling us the Dogs (our almost one-sided unholy relationship with the Americans as their toe-lickers and pawns is undeniable), still use of this kind of language is abusive and uncivil hence deserved to be reported. Next time, please use more civil words to talk about the moral poverty of the successive Pakistani governments. Please understand that the average Pakistanis have no say in the government matters hence the entire nation should not be abused along with the corrupt sold-out Pakistani regime(S).

[karan.1970]

Looks like done deal

But half the news reports are quoting the Air chief saying

"Pakistan has also been negotiating to get another lot of 14 aircraft of same version, besides getting other modern gadgets and weapons.
"

The same is there in the post of Air Marshal...

http://www.defence.pk/forums/militar...tml#post756782

[Ghareeb_Da_Baal]

Sir Israel previously offered their ELTA radar for jf-17 through China ...opened your eyes? yeah its true red it few years back

I had no idea. What is their interest in PAF? Just wondering.

[Darknight]

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It is worth to mention that the news about the provision of F- 16 planes to Pakistan came at the time when India tested two types of short-range ballistic missiles.