That sounds bogus. Pakistan only sent five JF-17s. How were they able to use six in simulated combat?
JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread
- Thread starter johnqh
- Start date
That sounds bogus. Pakistan only sent five JF-17s. How were they able to use six in simulated combat?
The Chinese most likely gave them a cloaking device, along with the J-20's with Al31 engines, because the Chinese always give Pakistan free stuff /s
I highly doubt it
But if it's true
China should give PAF pilots some medals or something for increasing thier sales and especially prestige of Chinese weaponary cause certainly plane itself isn't capable of taking on Rafaele unless pilots are on top of thier game with luck on thier side
In my humble opinion
Oh s**t. I can’t believe I worded my post like that. What I meant to say sarcastically is that the Chinese always give Pakistan for free whatever the Pakistanis want. Regardless, from retrospect, it was a dumb comment. Sorry about that. I need to sleep earlier next time.Yes s*** on the lil guy for taking freebies...
Oh nah I was joking around dude, don't mind it, need better emojis here to get the point across
No details of the engagement parameters? Maybe (assuming story is even true) the Rafale pilot was a total rooky and the engagement was a WVR dogfight against a seasoned JF-17 pilot with the Rafale starting from a disadvantaged position. Who knows.
Rafale winning group engagement (again giving benefit of doubt to story) is telling. Group engagement should have been relatively evenly set up and if they won that, the Rafale is better. Therefore where is the "domination"? If JF-17 block 1/2 can get the upper hand over Rafale, it is almost definitely pilot ability. In no domain is JF-17 block 1/2 superior or even equal to Rafale in BVR or WVR. Especially BVR where JF-17 is better off not even engaging. Poorer range, poorer payload, shorter ranged missiles, lesser radar (even block 3's proposed lightweight AESA remains doubtful to hold any edge on older AESA RBE).
JF-17 was never designed or acquired to be some counter to Rafale in equal numbers. It is a cheap enough and decent enough set of eyes and missiles in the sky for PAF. A decently equipped airforce always needs a certain minimum number of fighters that can be airborne and carry out missions. This is Pakistan's where it can afford it in the hundreds and produce much of it by itself, with its own people. That's the role. Not taking on a modernised 4.5 gen mid weight fighter. People expecting JF-17 to do much against Rafale on an individual basis, are delusional. India doesn't have large numbers of Rafales. That's the current saving grace for PAF's concerns. PAF's counter move remains to be seen. If they are sure Rafales won't be used against Pakistan because they're much more likely positioned against China, while that's true, it's just poor planning.
Last edited:
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Pakistani pilots have more first hand experience flying Rafales than Indians since much of turn ME gulf states’ air forces are essentially piloted by PAF pilots on loan.
I suspect that is how they were able to get the better of the Rafales one-on-one by exploiting any and all localised advantages the JF17s might have had; while taking full advantage of any limits or shortcomings on the Rafale.
When it came to squadron fights, I expect it became a lot harder to pull those tricks and that is why the Rafales did better.
I suspect that is how they were able to get the better of the Rafales one-on-one by exploiting any and all localised advantages the JF17s might have had; while taking full advantage of any limits or shortcomings on the Rafale.
When it came to squadron fights, I expect it became a lot harder to pull those tricks and that is why the Rafales did better.