PAF to acquire F-7 aircraft from China

[CM]

The Dawn: http://www.dawn.com/2001/03/14/top12.htm

PAF to acquire F-7 aircraft from China


KARACHI, March 13: Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, has said that PAF is
in the process of acquiring F-7 PG aircraft from China. The critical deficiency of a hi-tech aircraft in
our force structure remains to be redressed , he said.

Addressing the participants of the Air War College at PAF Base, Faisal on Tuesday, the Air Chief
said as an interim solution, old Mirages have been purchased from various sources and upgraded to
meet current technology requirements.

Air Marshal Mir said various options have been studied and the government has been approached to
consider the acquisition of a hi-tech weapon system as soon as the economic conditions allow.

Air Marshal Mir said the PAF is fully capable to inflict significant damage upon the enemy and can
effectively execute the mission assigned to it.

The Air Chief said that "despite resource crunch the PAF has not lowered its standards of combat
training and continues to be a hard trained force."

Earlier, on arrival at the Air War College, he was received by Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Abid
Rao, Air Officer Commanding Southern Air Command and Acting Commandant Air Commodore
Kaisar Tufail. - APP
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EXCELLENT NEWS!!!!!!

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CROIRE A L'INCROYABLE

[Malik73]

One more excellent piece of news! The Pakistani miltary is increasing its co-operation with our long standing buddies, China, and potentially the most military in the world.

Long live the PAK-CHINA friendship! http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif

[Ahmed]

Anxiously awaiting for the news of these to actually arrive in pakistan.
It would be interesting to see how many we order.News varies from 40-80.

[CM]

40 to 80?
How much would that cost in dollars?
And how would the out look affect our airforce?
Damn i wish outlaw was around to provide some info on this.

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CROIRE A L'INCROYABLE

[Wadi]

Here is what i know about the whole deal. F 7 PGs are basically Upgraded Mig 21 F-13s, which were the initial production model of the Mig 21s. They have an engine thurst of 13,500 lbs and are referred to have an excellent thrust to weight ratio. They would b considered 3rd generation aircraft which would be mainly used for point defence, as the aircraft is agile. Agility being the accelation, the rate of climb and turn and othefactors. However it is not BVR capable and the "PG" stands for Pakistan Griffo. Griffo being the Griffo 7 radar which is supposedly being assembeled in Pakistan. The aircraft cost 3 million a piece and their shortcommings are the 40 mins of flight time with external drop tanks and also ~200 hours before rehaul time. Other modification from the Mig 21s include a double delta wing which gave it 80% more area, more hardpoints to carry weapons, including AIM 9s 7s and better manouverability.

They are meant to be a second line of defence and are expected to replace the aging f 6s. However pakistan is upposedly keeping the f 6T, the two seat conversion trainer and the A 5 which is a modified f-6 (mig-19) but has been upgraded to be a good strike/attack plane.

In the long term Pakistan still requires a front line 4th or 5th generation fighter and the FC1 was supposed to fill that gap. However, info on that i sketchy. That was supposed to cost 15 ~ 20 Mil a piece.

Other choices include Mirage 2000 - 5 with it's outrageous pricetag of 90 Mil. Saab Grippen (which has US engine so is sanctioned). Russia won't sell Pakistan weapons because of it's deals with India. So China remains the only option and the only aircraft it is currently producing which fits pakistans strategic need is the F7. In the future maybe the J-10/Lavi would be considered. However it only flies in photographs these days.



[This message has been edited by Wadi (edited March 15, 2001).]

[Wadi]

F 7 MG/PG

http://www.airwar.ru/enc_e/fighter/j7e.html

J-10/Lavi

http://www.airwar.ru/enc_e/fighter/j10.html

FC1

http://www.airwar.ru/enc_e/fighter/j9.html

[Lashkar-e-Abbas]

EEWW!!
F-7 MG looks UGLY!! Can't they find a better looking one?? http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif

[CM]

Hey thanks alot for the info.
That is cool
But yeah it is ugly looking esp. the harpoon sticking out.

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CROIRE A L'INCROYABLE

[Nova]

Excellent news would be when Pakistan will sell something to China...

[Sherlock]

mashallah our pilots are one of the best in the world and all we need is the proper equipment.our engineers are fast catching up and soon we will be able to make our own planes from scratch without having to buy from elsewhere,especially if the long term plan with china goes through.