Pakistan Air Force: Preparing for next decade

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Pakistan Air Force: Preparing for next decade

After facing sanctions for almost decade and half Pakistan air force is sharpening its teeth and building powerful muscles through the fast track introduction of advance technologies to reduce the to effectively counter any Indian aggression from its rival Indian air force. Pakistan air force has purchased four Ilyushin Il-78 MK Midas with 105.7 tonnes (232,540 lb) transferable fuel. Pakistan has ordered the IL-78M airframes and these aircrafts are in Ukraine, where they are currently being fitted with aerial refueling pods and the internal fuel tanks that are now stocked up in Ukraine since the days of the USSR. Second major item that PAF has already purchased is AEW&C capability from Sweden four to five Saab-2000 Erieye+ AEW&C and four KJ-200 based AEW&C specifically modified and improved with help of PAC kamra to meet the minimum requirements of PAF and will be called ZDK03 AEW&C.

From PAF’s point of view, one of the main results of sanctions from west is JF-17 Thunder, a light weight fighter aircraft which is only aircraft that is developed by an air force for its own use. Pakistan has started mass production of the JF-17 Thunder in January 2008 and more than17 JF-17 are with PAF. The first batch of 50 JF-17 Thunder aircrafts will be equipped with the Chinese and Pakistani avionics and weapons, while the second batch aircraft will be equipped with more advanced radars and missiles including those of western makes. France has offered Pakistan its RDY-3 radar and MBDA MICA missile for the aircraft. However, due to changing air defense environment in region and recent events of intentional incursions of IAF aircraft into Pakistani airspace, PAF is more inclined towards AESA radar option and Long range BVRAAM for its JF-17 Thunder that will serve as PAF back bone in years to come. In recent Ideas 2008 defense Expo in Karachi Pakistan, Pakistan Air Force was approached by different AESA radar makers with assurances that PAF will be able to choose and integrate freely what ever BVRAAM it chooses. MBDA Meteor and MICA BVRAAM missile were also offered to PAF. Given the fact that JF-17 Thunder will have radar with same diameter as that of RDY-2 used in Mirage-2000-9, Thunder will be able to use Long range BVRAAM like ramjet Meteor to its full potentional.

In another interesting development Chinese company, No 14 Research Institute / Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (NRIET) which defeated the SELEX (Galileo Avionica) and is providing the KLJ-7 radar for current batch of JF-17 Thunder is also developing AESA radar to satisfy its customer. Chinese companies are working hard to provide a complete package deal to PAF that will involve improved version of SD-10 with increased range (comparable to AIM-120 C-5 AMRAAM, but it will not be ramjet powered like Meteor BVRAAM), new WVRAAM and AESA radar.