Pakistan received its first Block 52 F-16D yesterday (pictured above and below) as part of ambitious plans to refurbish its air force's fighter fleet.The PAF, however, is doing this with a combination of both western fighters, and help from its traditional supplier China through the JF-17 and potentially the J-10B.
Tactically, that will be facinating in the future - using both Chinese and US fighters in tandem is gonna be interesting and I am sure there will be be many people watching the service closely in the coming years.
Politically, is this a case of keeping your friends close and enemies closer? If so, who is who in this instance? Your guess is as good as mine.
The bigger question, however, is where this leaves Lockheed Martin in India's $12 billion 126-fighter medium multi-role combat aircraft competition. New Delhi has never been happy about the sale of the F-16 to Pakistan, and this will not help Lockheed's cause in that lucrative competition. Watch this space.
on October 14, 2009 6:42 PM | Reply
Even if the IAF rates the F-16 the best aircraft, LM will not get the order, due to the above reason.
on October 14, 2009 6:48 PM | Reply
Quote
"The proposed weapons package included an order for 500 Raytheon AIM-120C5 advanced medium range air to air missiles, 200 Raytheon AIM-9M-8/9 Sidewinders, 500 Boeing joint direct attack munitions, ...."
Understand that the Pakistan Air Force wants these to use against the Taliban.
So when did the Taliban get an air force with effective SAM systems?
These arms are are to for the following :
1. Allow China to reverse engineer the same illegally
2. Use against India.
LOL
Anand
on October 14, 2009 6:49 PM | Reply
Okay, I understand where you are coming from, but isn't that a crazy move? I mean, if it is really the best aircraft, than that is what the IAF should get. The Block 60 will be more advanced than the Block 52 that Pakistan is getting anyway.
on October 14, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply
Hmmm, you sure are a cynic mate (or is that a realist)? Heh.
on March 31, 2010 8:33 AM | Reply
@ Anand.
I understand that you are Indian but hasn't India been purchasing weaponry for potential use against its enemies (Pakistan, China etc)?
Ofcourse the air to air weapons requested are not for Taliban but if the US uses Pakistani army to fight the Taliban/War against terror then the US also has a responsibility for looking after Pakistani army's responsibilities/needs.
Q- What is Pakistan army's chief responsibility?
A- Looking after the sovereignty of Pakistan.
Pakistan obviously needs such equipment so this news makes sense from a geopolitical angle.
on June 1, 2010 1:33 AM | Reply
Its good but we need spacialy Ah-64-Ds for the army also think about it you all