J-10 Thread IV
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Dizasta1
Senior Member
According to some sources close to Pakistan Air Force, efforts are now underway to procure upto 2-3 squadrons worth of J-10Cs (export variant), with a follow on order of further 3-4 squadrons at a later stage. This comes on the heels of Senate Meeting, where the case was made for the Chinese made aircraft, in Pakistan Air Force fleet. When the Cabinet decides and if it is approved, then talks for the aircraft will progress on a govt to govt level. If all goes well, then we are looking Pakistan Air Force becoming the first export customer for J-10Cs.
I personally would rather wait and see for the next year's budget before becoming optimistic. Priority of the government is reduce debt, increase exports and restructure government institutions for services to citizens function efficiently. Since the precedence is already set by the GoP, it would be hard to see any concessions made on the budget for the military, subject to the Senate's approval. Let's see what happens!
I personally would rather wait and see for the next year's budget before becoming optimistic. Priority of the government is reduce debt, increase exports and restructure government institutions for services to citizens function efficiently. Since the precedence is already set by the GoP, it would be hard to see any concessions made on the budget for the military, subject to the Senate's approval. Let's see what happens!
plawolf
Lieutenant General
The PAF delegation must have been really impressed by the J10C TVC performance at Zhuhai.
I must admit I am surprised by this development, as it seems a little late in the day to be introduction a new 4th gen when 5gens are starting to proliferate.
But them with India and Russia falling out over the PAKFA, maybe the PAF feels they have a little more breathing room before needing to look for a 5th gen themselves.
If they can swing location production similar to the JF17, then this will be another important boost for PAC and make it that much more credible for them to also be involved in at least part of-production of any 5th gen they do eventually go with, instead of a pure off-the-shelf purchase as would be the case now.
The key issue is going to be funding.
I must admit I am surprised by this development, as it seems a little late in the day to be introduction a new 4th gen when 5gens are starting to proliferate.
But them with India and Russia falling out over the PAKFA, maybe the PAF feels they have a little more breathing room before needing to look for a 5th gen themselves.
If they can swing location production similar to the JF17, then this will be another important boost for PAC and make it that much more credible for them to also be involved in at least part of-production of any 5th gen they do eventually go with, instead of a pure off-the-shelf purchase as would be the case now.
The key issue is going to be funding.
That was a J-10B though.
I still doubt it. This rumor (or rather, an actual aborted plan) has been around before. Circumstances may have changed but Pakistan does indeed, as you said, still face uncertain funding issues.
With the ramp up in J-20 production at Chengdu, it's about time that J-10 production starts winding down for China.
By the time deliveries to Pakistan start, China should have about 400 J-10s in total.
And if Chengdu transfered part of the production line to Pakistan, it would also free up more space and staff for the J-20 programme.
NOT very sure why people here only cover Pakistan in the equation of "future of J10(C)". To me, instead, this TVC development, once proved extremely successful, could mean more potential for next phase of J10, beyond just exporting to one country (one role, one function)...
I find the news of PAF wanting J-10x quite surprising. The main advantages of J-10 I imagine would be in avionics. If PAF truly does follow through with J-10C or later J-10 variants, it would be quite revealing of how much better the J-10's avionics suite is compared to even the future block JF-17s. Slightly better combat load, range, and performance certainly cannot justify all the different costs involved with inducting a different, unfamiliar platform using an unfamiliar Russian engine. Therefore any purchase should indicate that the J-10 offers certain electronic abilities to the PAF that is not obvious or well known.
'rumours' are indicating the possibility of off the shelf purchase for ~40 J-10CE with the option of 32-40 more as follow on order .... but AGAIN as of now this must be taken as a RUMOUR