JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread

[Munir]

Reports regarding PLAAF's induction of FC-1/JF-17 could possibly mean a few FC-1/JF-17 for DACT purposes. That would not be too far fetched, since inspiration for FC-1/JF-17 was F-16 - which is in service with many of China's neighbors. That would make pilot exchanges easier too between PAF & PLAAF.

But these reports can not be taken seriously at this stage. We would know when it happens. Until then its best not to speculate especially when we have nothing official from Chinese government.

It is important to note that post of President in Pakistan's Parliamentary system is as only a ceremonial head of state. Mr. Mamnoon Hussain is known more for his relations with Pakistan's Prime Minister than for any accomplishment, political or otherwise. He did get 4+ hours with Chinese president a few days ago during a state visit. But I would not take anything seriously at this point.

I think I rather believe our president then your words. I have heard a lot but this political personal motivated idea of we should not take him so serious is a bridge to far.

 

[Munir]

Actually, it would be somewhat of a shock.

To my knowledge there has been no credible, authoritative announcement by China that it is buying JF-17s for the PLAAF or other PLA military use.

If you have a link to such an announcement, where the report is something more than either speculation or hearsay, please post it.

It would be an important development.



Deino, the current rumors/news are coming from a news report that states the Pakistani President has indicated that China intends to do so. Here:

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But I have seen no official announcement from the Pakistani government, and there is no direct quote in that article. Also, to date, no official announcement from China.

Until I see one of those two things...I will view it as hearsay,

We do not hear much from Pakistani or Chinese side. What we can do is puzzle with what we know and use some logic. As long as FC1 is not fully chinese parts it will not be part of PLAAF. And even then I doubt we will receive a formal decision on this forum. Surely we do understand that the priority is J20, J10B cause that is upper quality level. But do you really think that China will replace all those old 2-3 gen fighters with J20/J10? I am confident that it will be in the picture but there are some other priorities.

I heard J31 would be export to Pakistan... Let me introduce a shocking alternative. Why not J20?

 

[plawolf]

We do not hear much from Pakistani or Chinese side. What we can do is puzzle with what we know and use some logic. As long as FC1 is not fully chinese parts it will not be part of PLAAF. And even then I doubt we will receive a formal decision on this forum. Surely we do understand that the priority is J20, J10B cause that is upper quality level. But do you really think that China will replace all those old 2-3 gen fighters with J20/J10? I am confident that it will be in the picture but there are some other priorities.

I heard J31 would be export to Pakistan... Let me introduce a shocking alternative. Why not J20?

I think the biggest problem the PLAAF has with the JF17 is not its Russian engine, the PLAAF flies plenty of fighters with Russian engines, but rather its range and role.

China is a huge country, increasingly she is looking to push any potential future battlefield further and further from her own boarders, and that requires range the JF17 cannot achieve.

The JF17 also has the misfortune of having a similar role as the J10, which is a far superior aircraft by all accounts.

The PLAAF isn't going to replace all its J7s with J10, J11s and J20s, but those are not the only options. The PLAAF is pretty much committed to buying several hundred L15s, and those are more than capable enough to replace J7s in air policing duties in low intensity theatres.

As for J20 sales to Pakistan, well that simply will never happen. No ifs, no buts. The only reason th J31 is even an outside possibility for Pakistan is because the PLAAF has the J20.

The most that the PAF can hope for is the chance to fly some DACT exercises against J20s, maybe even get a back seat ride if they every develop a two seat variant. But the J20 is simply not for sale, for any price.

 

[chuck731]

Exactly what role would jf-17 fulfill in the Chinese airforce????

I don't think the Chinese airforce would use its own budget just to help CAC sell jf-17 abroad.

 

[Jeff Head]

As long as FC1 is not fully chinese parts it will not be part of PLAAF. And even then I doubt we will receive a formal decision on this forum.

This forum certainly will not make a formal decision...or be the avenue through which a formal decision is rendered.

Of course not.

But the members on this forum will ferret out any actual, official announcements about the JF-17/FC-1...particularly any official announcement that China itself is going to buy any.

There hasn't been any such announcement. I will be surprised if there ever is for the reasons that so many well informed members on this forum have listed.

Surely we do understand that the priority is J20, J10B cause that is upper quality level. But do you really think that China will replace all those old 2-3 gen fighters with J20/J10?

But those two are not the PLAAFs or PLANs only options.

J-11B, J-16, L15s, etc., etc. exist in line ahead of the FC1 for the roles of those older aircraft in PLAAF service.

I heard J31 would be export to Pakistan... Let me introduce a shocking alternative. Why not J20?

Your shocking alternative is simply not going to happen...for the same reason as no other country, even close and very high level and high tech allies ever received any real consideration for the F-22 from the US. It was not for sale to anyone for any price. The J-20 is the PRC's F-22.

 

[Dizasta1]

In so far as China going for JF-17 Thunders is concerned, there is no reason to dismiss or accept the idea. When there is concrete evidence, similar to what came from of Pakistan (President of Pakistan's announcement that China will buy JF-17). Then we would have no option but to accept the news as fact. Mind you, one should not take it lightly, when the President of Pakistan makes such an announcement.

As for J-31, or J-20 or other various combat aircraft that China produces, are available for any of the three military services of China. It is based their strategic requirement and approval of the government, on whether any particular aircraft is procured for any of the three services of Chinese military. We are in no position to say which combat aircraft China would or would not procure. Let's not be childish here!

When it comes to Pakistan and China, both countries have mutual respect, honor and support for each other. There is a very strong and powerful historic alliance between the two countries. And anyone who attempts to discredit that, is certainly foolish and seriously lacks in diplomatic skills. So when people say China would never sell Pakistan this aircraft or that weapon. This sort of statement only reveals the amateurish sentiments of that particular person, nothing else.

Each country choice of weapon to procure or produce, depends on their financial ability, their infrastructure’s capability to operate/produce/maintain the weapon, the approval of the seller country’s government and their regional/international policy of arms sales. In Pakistan’s case, all of the above come into play when it comes to procuring any weapons’ system from any country. Be how it may, alliances alone do not determine whether Pakistan will go for or get which ever aircraft from China.

As of now, PAC’s priority is to manufacture JF-17 Thunders for Pakistan Air Force and both PAC-CAC are actively marketing the FC-1/JF-17 combat aircraft to various countries around the world.

Pakistan Air Force’s top priorities are to induct (250-300) JF-17 Thunders, which will have IFR, BVR, EWS, AESA and Data-Link capability. Pakistan Air Force also plans to field a fleet of 80-90 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons. Apart from this, they are also in the process of integrating the ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle (AWACS) bought from China, along with SAAB-Ericsson Erieye (AEW). And along with these aircraft, there are various other new weapons platforms which are being inducted.

So to put the matter of J-10B for Pakistan Air Force to rest. When both China and Pakistan are ready, willing and available to discuss the possible sale of J-10B for Pakistan Air Force. Then I am sure all of us will hear about it in the news. Till that time arrives, I would stress that the ‘Nay-Sayers’ and the supporters of J-10B for PAF, refrain from making irrational remarks about the potential sale or with regards, to the Sino-Pak alliance.

 

[asif iqbal]

Can we get back to talking about the amazing aircraft called the JF-17 when we get exports sales we will know as will the world

Also I also agree that the current 50 Block I configured JF-17 does not carry precision guided weapons all of the weapons which I posted in the last post are to be equipped with the Block II then the Block I will be upgraded to carry them too

However I don't think that IFR probe will be fitted to Block I they will just get the avionics and software upgrade to carry the full spectrum of weapons to increase the operating envelope

Block II will be the real deal and we are not far away from this unit as the PAC the current Block I units have undergone all the tests and evaluation of the weapons that PAF wants to use thats why it's called the test and Evulation centre

Btw the 3rd JF-17 Sqaudron will be the Tail Choppers which is nice to know which means 50 units are split between 3 sqaudorns

Finally Block II I believe we have around half a dozen under construction at the PAC facility they should be ready by the summer

The serial will be 14-251 onwards very good see that serial -2- which is the Block number last unit was 13-150

C802 has been tested from the aircraft but CM-400AKG and Ra'ad have not which is the next big thing in this programme

Btw Ra'ad is nuclear capable

 

[broadsword]

Also I also agree that the current 50 Block I configured JF-17 does not carry precision guided weapons all of the weapons which I posted in the last post are to be equipped with the Block II then the Block I will be upgraded to carry them too

I'm shocked to learn that Block I is not already configured to carry precision-guided weapons.

 

[plawolf]

I'm shocked to learn that Block I is not already configured to carry precision-guided weapons.

Why? Block 1 Rafale, Typhoon, in fact, any modern fighter one care to think of, didn't have full multirole capability from the first production aircraft.

I don't know why people are making such a big deal out of this. Marketing wise, you don't buy the planes already made and flying right now, you buy the version that will be built years down the road when the contracts have been finalised and planes built, in which case it's a very different version you are getting. It's all basic stuff, so what's with all the all the mock drama?

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

it's about the targeting package. the weapon could be mounted in the wing but with out the expensive electronics it's a dumb bomb.