After the 1965 war the US placed an arms embargo on Pakistan. Despite being a founding member of SEATO and CENTO, she faced the American sanctions. During the 1971 war Pakistan was under an arms embargo. During the 90s after winning the cold war for the USA, Pakistan was under US sanctions and an arms embargo. All this is now useless history. Pakistan will be able to produce as many planes as it needs–subject to production capacity constrains which can be ramped up if and when needed. The exports to many third world countries will expedite and enhance the production capacity of the Pakistan Air Force. 

Now the Sri Lankans can have as many planes they want to fight the Indian sponsored Tamil terrorists. Now the Middle Eastern Air Forces can begin flying the JF-17 Thunders without begging the US. Now the small countries of Africa can own their own JF-17 Thunders without selling their souls to the Europeans.

Pakistan has not only designed and jointly built the JF-17 Thunder, it now has deployed its first squadron in Peshawar–all in record time, one of the shortest time lines in the history of aviation. This is a major milestone for the Pakistan Air Force and brings it one step closer to becoming a major producer andexporter of planes around the world. About 17 countries are interested in the JF-17 Thunder which was a major attraction at the Pakistani IDEAS 2009 defense show this year. The success of the indigenous JF-17 deployment is a success story in many aviation failures around the globe. The American F-111, the Israeli Lavi and the Indian Tejas are notable examples of abject failures. The most recent victims of failure is the American F-22 Raptor which was recently canceled by the US Department of Defense.

This success story of developing arms in Pakistan is not limited to the JF-17 thunder. The Nuclear bomb, the missiles and the tanks were all produced in record time, considering that Pakistan had only one dysfunctional Textile Mill, one dilapidated University, and one archaic Jute Mill in 1947. No other country has come so far in defense production in such a short period of time. It took the Japanese from the Meiji revolution of 1893 to 1940 to produce the deadly aircrafts that devastated Pearl Harbor. The first American missiles and the entire Apollo program was built on Von Braun’s German technology. The Russian program was similarly also based on the German programs. In fact the first V2-rockets in the Museums in Washington are simply German rocket painted red 9for Russia) and other colors for America.

The acidity of the comments from across the Radcliffe Line is palpable. The Indian press is noticeable only by its asphyxiated constipation. The silence is deafening.

Here are some excerpts from the usually acerbicAnti-Pakistan Strategy Page.

Pakistan rebounding from volatile events faced issues with many of its “allies” who were also the suppliers. The USA did not want to sell any arms to Pakistan. The UK and Russia did the same. Pakistan evaluated her dangerous geo political situation as well as a belligerent international atmosphere and made some strategic decisions. The sons and daughters of Pakistan pledged “Never again” and developed a comprehensive strategy to be self-sufficient in her defense needs. It created a Nuclear deterrent, indigenous Al Khalid Tanksand a missile program that is the envy of South Asia. Neither the mercenaries sent from the across the border, not the blackmail can now harm the fabric of the country.

The Pakistan Airforce knew its needs, and prioritized its requirements. Both Pakistan and China had been jilted and were looking for plane to build. The new plane has exclusively been designed for Pakistani needs–deep penetration into India. The JF-17/FC-1 is designed to be a cost-effective plane which can meet the tactical and strategic needs of the Pakistani Air Force.The project was originally expected to cost about US$500 million, divided equally between Pakistan and China. Each plane will cost Pakistan about US$15-20 million. The JF-17 Thunder initial development project was completed in a record period of four years. However, later improvements to the project has taken up more time.

Chinese technology exports to Pakistan: JF-17 Thunder, J-10s, J-11s. This alliance has propelled the aircraft manufacturing of China to new levels and given the Pakistanis access to Chinese acumen which it did not have before. JF-17 Thunders

Beyond the JF-17 Thunders. The J-10s etc

Pakistan’s 250 JF-17s, 50 F-16: India’s panicky “concern”.

Pakistan is also producing the cheap Adam car which will compete with Chinese, and Japanese models (http://www.adammotor.com/daily_dawn.htm).

The JF-17 Thunder currently uses the RD-93 Russian jet engine, but it will be eventually replaced with a Chinese WS-13 engine. Long term plans also call for the engine to be produced in Pakistan. Pakistani engineers are already working on this. Newer versions of the plane may use other engines and other avionics.

A grand success story. Pakistan and China designed, prototyped and built the JF-17 Thunder faster than any other aircraft. Pakistan did it in four years–and according to Indian sources “left the Indian Light Combat Aricraft (LCA ) in the dust.”The WD-93 (Russian engine) JF-17 Thunder is now competing with the Korean and fighters.Pakistan’s indigenous JF-17 Thunders Fighter Plane

• Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Fighter plane: US sanctions and external existe…
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• Chinese technology exports to Pakistan: JF-17 Thunder, J-10s, J-11s

April 20, 2009: Pakistan is forming its first JF-17 fighter squadron, andwill station it at their airbase outsidePeshawar (the largest city in the tribal territories near the Afghan border.) The squadron, with at least twelve aircraft and twenty pilots, will be fully operational by the end of the year. Pakistan already has eight JF-17 fighters, which it has received over the last two years. Last month, it signed a deal to buy the next 42, of 300, of these jets from China. These 42 will cost $14.3 million per aircraft. The final 250 will cost $12 million each. The aircraft is assembled in bothPakistan andChina, with the engines coming from Russia, and most of the other components from China (which calls the aircraft the FC-1). Azerbaijan, Sudan and Zimbabwe have ordered the aircraft, or are negotiating to. Pakistan will replace its MiG-21s and Mirage IIIs with the low cost JF-17s. Stratfor

Seventeen Thunder F-17s will be inducted into the PAF at the end of 2008. The ultimate goal is to have about 300-500 of these fighters in the PAF. About 50 percent of the on-board equipment and avionics for the fighter would be manufactured in Pakistan at the Kamra plant, andthe rest of the assembly parts would come from China. The planes come fitted with “Beyond Visual Range Missiles” and expanded custom developed functionality to reach far away targets without refueling. It can fire the Pakistani developed nuclear tipped missiles and Pakistani cruise missiles also. The indigenous production capability will increase exponentially because also wants to export these planes.

The 13 ton JF-17 is meant to be a low cost alternative to the American F-16. The JF-17 is considered the equal to earlier versions of the F-16, but only 80 percent as effective as more recent F16 models. The JF-17 uses the same Russian engine, the RD-93, that is used in the MiG-29. Stratfor

Pakistan Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said last year that 17 aircraft would be manufactured in 2008, and20 more the next year, with an ultimate goal of achieving the capability of manufacturing 25 to 30 aircraft per year. Pakistan has announced that it could procure 150-300 aircraft to meet the tactical and strategic needs of its Air Force and to replace the Chengdu F-7P fighters in current service. Beijing delivered two $20-million JF-17 fighters equipped with Russian-made RD-93 engines to Pakistan in March 2007, prompting Indian protests which were overruled by Russia. Pakistan’s backup pla was to use the WC-13 Chinese version of the RD-93 engine. Sooner rather than later the JF-Thunder will switch to the Chinese version of the engine and eventually to the Pakistan engine being developed. Part of the jets development used the plans from Israel’s Lavi fighter.

The JF-17 can carry 3.6 tons of weapons and use radar guided and heat seeking missiles. It has max speed of nearly 2,000 kilometers an hour, an operating range of 1,300 kilometers anda max altitude of 55,000 feet.  Pakistan hopes to make the JF-17 more lethal by using more experienced pilots. That often works. Stratfor

JF-17 in other areas have also been improved. Aerodynamic improvements have increased their mobility, as well as the ability to engage in a variety of tasks. The small batches manufactured JF-17 is likely to represent the ultimate models of aircraft body Design. Particularly noteworthy is the central fuselage of DSI inlet used in the JF-17 has brought some stealthcapability. Other improvements include reduced body weight, through redesigned interior more space has been created, an increase of the fuel carrying capacity, and increased range. Aircraft will achieve speed of 1.8 Mach. After the the improved engine, aircraft’s performance will further be enhanced. The new information shows that the current design will be frozen for the next three years before some further changes are introduced.

Other internal changes that are taking place include the introduction of entire telex control anda more advanced electronic equipment. The new batches will include an IRST. The JF-17 has the all-glass cockpit as we already know, and the first 50 JF-17 will be installed with KLJ-10 radar. Pakistan Air Force is very satisfied with the performance of this radar

In fact there is a reason for making the KLJ-10 radar development very important as it will be put into the first batch of JF-17 for launch of SD-10 giving them the BVR capability. Pakistan Air Force has sought this core capability for a long time, and the JF-17 will be able to shoulder the huge air defense burden. Though there has benn some recent talk of Rc-400 andthey may be integrated with the 2nd batch production, Pakistan Air Force ultimately will choose a more advanced AESA radar andthe negotiation are already underway withWestern suppliers unless China who has been working to develop one can come up with the AESA soon. PAF has not madea decision yet, but it is believed that withthe second batch of JF-17 military service, the issue will be resolved .

Finally, the Pakistan Air Force will also use the data chain technology to achieve communication between different platforms for safety data transmission. In 2009 PAF expect to have Saab 2000 ready and gain the ability to use data links, JF-17 will also possesses advanced electronic warfare system, which is still in shrouds, New aircrafts will also have the missile attack Early Warning System (MAWS) sensors. With the new improvements in electronic warfare capability, PAF bekieves that the JF-17 once put into service will be second only to the F-16C BLOCK 52. Grand Strategy

Sixty percent of the aircraft’s frame, while 80 percent of its avionics would be manufactured in Pakistan by 2010. 40 to 50 aircraftswill have avionics of Chinese origin, while the next batch would be fitted with indigenously developed avionics.

JF-17 Evolution Continues:

The JF-17 is a truly remarkable plane. Starting from the basic designs that Chengdu and the PAFwere tinkering with, the Super-7 withbasically a MiG-21 with side intakes, it has evolved into a completely different beast. The Military Aviation community was taken by complete surprise, almost shock when the JF-17 came out with a modern cockpit, DSI intakes and previously unseen quality of build.

Yet, when even the most ardent followers of the program had thought that the JF-17 had fully evolved, it has once again surprised all of us in its next evolution. It is likely that this evolution is going to take shape after the second batch. Changes are comprehensive and across the board and include greater range, lower RCS, AESA radar anda new engine with greater TWR (thrust to weight ratio).

The lower RCS is to be reached using new materials, including advanced composites. A new RAM paint is also rumored that is said to be similar to that being used on the F-35. The nose will see comprehensive redesign and is rumored to incorporate a new AESAradar set of Chinese origin. One proposition is that the single tail is replaced with twin-tails similar to the F-35. A new DSI is also projected that will further lower RCS.

The TWRof the engine is projected to increase with the WS-13, which are likely to go into the second batch. The iteration of the WS-13, possibly the “WS-13A” is likely to go into the stealthier JF-17. Another painted scenario is of a further iteration of the RD-93. This will marginally increase the TWR further, which itself will increase the TWR marginally.

However, this increase in the TWR of the engine will be moderated by the increase in the wing size, greater internal fuel and the twin tails, amongst other weight increases. On the other hand, newer materials and over all weight decreasing projects in turn will moderate these weight increases.

The stealthier JF-17 will incorporate a larger wing, improving higher altitude maneuverability. This is a crucial aspect that is increasingly becoming important in BVR combat, where the higher and faster jets can in some form take pot shots at slower and lower BVR platforms. Another aspect of the larger wing will be increased internal fuel carrying capacity. This is addresses one of the areas that the JF-17 is weaker in - range and the ability to stay on station longer.

The nose, vital areas of the cockpit as well as a whole host of other technical areas will be addressed. the nose will in fact be fully redesigned around a new AESA radar and be formated to lower RCS. The DSI design is also being redesigned to better accommodate and optimize higher altitudes andhigher speeds. A second generation of the onboard information collection, dissemination and display will be incorporated.

However, thrust vectoring will not be incorporated, neither will be internal carriage of weapons. This planned version may or may not go into production. However, all, most or many of the changes may be incorporated into the third batch of 50 being ordered by Pakistan. My personal opinion is that this prototype is more of a technology demonstrator. Major changes would not be appropriate unless a major export customer is found. I would think however that all the minor changes, as well as a few crucial major ones will be incorporated. This is likely to include the new engine, as well as the larger wings. Stealth features should also be incorporated but major redesign is likely to be avoided for the 3rd batch production models (such as twin tails and new nose). This version will be targeted for export and will not be part of the Chinese arsenal. Grand Strategy

Officially the JF-Thunder will be upgraded in 2012. Then the possibility of upgrading the Chinese engine used in the J-10 may be considered. The engine upgrademay be a two step process. First the upgrade to Chinese WS-13 andthen perhaps an upgrade to the J-10 engine. Concurrently Pakistan has a parallel program for another jet to be revealed in 2012. Pakistan has acquired F-16 block 52 (the latest F-16s are block 60 flown by the UAE Airforce). By 2012 Pakistan will be producing the avionics indigenously. However newer technologies are already being purchased from Italy, France and Germany.

Janes Defense weekly reports that Pakistan is in the process of acquiring the latest air-to-air missiles from France’s MBDA and radars from Thales.

Instead of buying 75 new F-16s as originally planned, Pakistan decided to diversify its options and buy some J-10s. This is China’s finest and most secret project, at the time which was shown to President Musharraf during his visit to China last year. Indian analysts think it has the mark of the Israeli and French fighters. The J-10 is better than the Su-30 and Su-10 and may have the AESA or the PESAradar systems to make it more competitive with the Su-30MKI.4thGeneration aircraft: Beyond Pakistani made JF-17 Thunders and Chinese made J-10s. When will the PAF acquire J-11? or will be manufacture them?

This production is a magnificent example of Concurrent Engineering. The Pakistan JF-Thunder aircraft is going through a major upgrade in avionics, and a switch in engines to a Chinese version of the WD-93 called the WS-13. This is fascinating for all engineers. The airplane is being produced in mass, and new development is also happening concurrently. Efforts are already underway to produce the WS-13 engine locally, andupgradethe avionics with the latest French, German and Italian technology. Pakistan will export the older versions of the plane to Khazikistan and other countries. Khazakistan will make it more difficult for Armenia. This may change the balance of power in many regions, specially if Sri Lanks gets the JF-17 Thunder. The Sri Lankan Airforce may get an unprecedented advantage over the marauding mercenary terrorists who come over from Indian Tamil-land in increasing numbers. This may be done at the expense of requesting a Pakistan base in Sri Lanka. 

Crescent daggers
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