Pakistan to get Chinese AEW&C aircraft this year

[keysersoze]

Pakistan to get Chinese AEW&C aircraft this year
By Leithen Francis

Pakistan has received its second Erieye radar-equipped Saab 2000, and will also accept its first Shaanxi ZDK-03 airborne early warning and control system aircraft before year-end.

Islamabad has four ZDK-03s on order, with deliveries due to start later this year, say air force sources. The type is a new variant of the Shaanxi Y8 AEW&C aircraft designed specifically for Pakistan.

The Chinese aircraft is powered by four turboprop engines and has a greater range than offered by the Saab Microwave Systems Erieye, the sources say.

The air force recently received its second Saab 2000 surveillance aircraft, and anticipates that it will receive its remaining two in the second and third quarters of this year.
Pakistan's move to source AEW&C aircraft from both China and the West is indicative of its strategy to refrain from being overly reliant on any one ally. The USA imposed military sanctions against Pakistan from 1990 to 2005 in response to its testing nuclear weapons.

The air force's current fleet includes Lockheed Martin F-16s, Dassault Mirage III and 5 fighters, Chengdu F-7s and JF-17s; a new type developed jointly by China and Pakistan.

In terms of military transports, Pakistan flies Lockheed C-130s, but also operates Ilyushin Il-78 tankers.
Pakistan to get Chinese AEW&C aircraft this year

[keysersoze]

We need to get some info on the Shaanxi ZDK-03 i will go hunting......

[Neo]

There's some confusion on the platform. The Y-8 was rejected by PAF some time ago in favor of the IL-78. So which one is the PAF getting now?

[keysersoze]

Originally Posted by Neo

There's some confusion on the platform. The Y-8 was rejected by PAF some time ago in favor of the IL-78. So which one is the PAF getting now?

Well there were supply issues with the IL-76 for China and India as Russia could not keep up with production quickly enough. So I would say the Y-8 is going to be the platform used.

The only way the IL-76 would come to PAK is through the Ukrainians who might be reluctant to sell.

[Black Blood]

Originally Posted by Neo

There's some confusion on the platform. The Y-8 was rejected by PAF some time ago in favor of the IL-78. So which one is the PAF getting now?

Neo as far as i know about Y-8 AWACS is that the platform is Y-8F-600 which is a highly upgraded variant of the old Y-8 aircraft with PW engines and upgraded avionics and design.

Y-8F-600: Newest civilian transport variant with a redesigned fuselage, Pratt and Whitney turboprop engines, an Electronic Flight Instrument System "glass cockpit", and a two-person crew

The Radar would be a saucer shape Unlike SAAB Erie system , its an AESA radar with 360 degree coverage and more range than Erie.

Basic reason for this procurement is to be able to Link Chinese based fighters ie JF-17 and upcoming FC-20 , Jxx etc.

Some sino friends suggest that C-919 would be available as a future platform for Pakistan's awacs if required .

Regards:

[keysersoze]

Do the Chinese actually operate any AESA platforms? I mean it be the first I have heard of it.

[Neo]

J-10B is supposed to be flying with a Chinese AESA, but reports are unconfirmed.

[Black Blood]

Originally Posted by keysersoze

Do the Chinese actually operate any AESA platforms? I mean it be the first I have heard of it.

As far as i know the KJ-2k is an AESA radar and some recent reports say that the evolution in Sino technology has made it even more advance than the Phalcon on which it was originally based on back in 90's.