Pakistan has reportedly reached a deal with China to buy 36 Chengdu J-10B fighters in a deal worth around $1.4 billion.
If confirmed, this would form the first phase of a purchase that includes options for several dozen more aircraft and result in Islamabad eventually acquiring around 150 of the multirole fighters.
If confirmed, this would form the first phase of a purchase that includes options for several dozen more aircraft and result in Islamabad eventually acquiring around 150 of the multirole fighters.
.jpg)
To be designated as FC-20s in Pakistan, the aircraft will be upgraded versions of the J-10 fighter that officially entered Chinese air force service in early 2007. The type is China's most advanced indigenously developed military aircraft.
Deliveries to Pakistan are likely to begin from 2014-15, but the country is unlikely to have any workshare in the programme.
China has been a major supplier of aircraft to Pakistan's armed forces for more than 30 years, supplementing purchases of Dassault Mirage fighters in the 1970s and Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs in the 1980s.
Relations with the West cooled in the 1990s, when Washington imposed an arms embargo after Pakistan tested a nuclear bomb. Relations improved earlier this decade, when Islamabad emerged as a key ally in the war in Afghanistan.
Last year, Pakistan confirmed an order for 18 new F-16C/D Block 52 fighters, with options for another 18. It is also buying several refurbished F-16s, and Lockheed is also under contract to upgrade 34 F-16A/B Block 15s.
However, Islamabad has also maintained its close relationship with China. The partners have jointly developed the Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) FC-1/JF-17 fighter, with Islamabad having received its first two Chinese-built examples in March 2007. It has since taken delivery of around a dozen JF-17s.
The first example to be manufactured by PAC will fly before year-end, and Islamabad will eventually buy at least 150 domestically produced fighters. These will replace its air force's ageing fleets of Nanchang A-5s, Chengdu F-7s and Mirage IIIs and Mirage Vs.
The JF-17 will be capable of carrying a variety of conventional and precision-guided bombs, plus air-to-air and anti-shipping missiles of both short- and beyond-visual ranges.
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...ghters-334681/
Its an old article. So J-10bs are to be expected from 2014-2015.
No such deal has been reached.
ReplyDeleteDue to the shift in "stealth" age, it'll b resources loss for PAF if they'd invest in J-10Bs; also, JF-17 Thunder block-II will b of such capabilities. It's quiet wise decision from Pakistani authority to getting engaged with the J-31 project.That's a bitch machine will fly with PAF roundel. When the systems being developed parallel with the J-20 program, J-31 will get fresh and tested 5th generation avionics and sensors on board.
DeleteI hate india. do whatever it takes to defeat india
ReplyDeletewhy you hate India??
DeleteIf you have ethics to hate India than its okay, but say it first, whats are the reasons you hate India, Mr. Irfan? Is anti-Islam activities or only for Kashmir issues?
Delete