The Government of Argentina has officially announced requirements of its next supersonic fighter procurement program, as well as the fighters under consideration.
These include the PAC JF-17C Thunder Block III, the Lockheed Martin F-16, the Mikoyan MiG-35 and the HAL Tejas.
An official questionnaire about the $664 million allocated for buying 12 new JF-17Cs was answered by Argentinian defence officials which stated that the offer includes
12 JF-17Cs as well as transport, spare parts, simulators, facility and infrastructure modifications, system maintenance equipment (including electronics and composite materials), instruction, spare engines, weapons and ammunition.
Argentinian officials also said
some transfer of technology could also be included in the deal for additional funds, for
manufacturing some components of the JF-17 in Argentina.
The officials also released the requirements of the FAA for its new fighter, which includes multirole capability, supersonic flight,
in-flight refuelling capacity compatible with the refueling aircraft possessed by the FAA, AESA radar, tactical data link, electronic self-defense capability, logistical projection, no components of British origin and availability (offer) for the use of weapons.
The officials further said that the JF-17 with a
WS-13E engine, satisfies all these requirements.
The Argentinian government also inquired about the cost per hour of each aircraft under consideration, which the FAA quoted as:
$7,600/hr for the JF-17, for the F-16 it’s 10,000/hr, for the Tejas it’s $12,000/hr and $18,000 for the MiG-35.
The official report further states that the weapons system will comprise of “short and medium-range Chinese-origin missiles for integral aerospace defense”, meaning the PL-10E and the PL-12 missile.
The report further states that the fighter does not have any British-origin components, including the ejection seats.
Lastly, the report states that
90% of Chinese-built JF-17 components are interchangeable with Pakistan-built JF-17s, and there are no “restrictions on purchases from Pakistan as an alternative supplier.”
The report
confirms and strengthens the position regarding the JF-17 Block III, which continues to be considered a favorite among the four aforementioned candidates.