PAK Seeks Chinese FC-31, Eyes Joint Production to Replace Aging F-16s

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is accelerating its modernization drive with Chinese-built fighter jets at the forefront.

This ambition is underscored by a recent video showcasing the FC-31, a fifth-generation fighter, confirming Pakistan's interest in the aircraft.

Beyond Purchase: Aiming for Joint Production​

Sources indicate that Pakistan's plans extend beyond a simple purchase. The PAF, in collaboration with China, aims to establish joint production of the FC-31 within Pakistan before the 2030s. This could potentially utilize the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), known for manufacturing the JF-17 fighter jet.

Replacing the F-16 Fleet​

The FC-31 acquisition is intended to replace Pakistan's aging fleet of around 60 American-built F-16 A/B MLU-15 fighters. While the exact number of FC-31s to be procured remains undisclosed, estimates suggest Pakistan is targeting an order of approximately 100 units.

Countering India's Rafales​

PAF's focus on modernization gained momentum under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.

This push led to the recent addition of 25 Chinese J-10CE fighters – a strategic acquisition aimed at countering India's deployment of 36 Dassault Rafale jets.

However, this procurement has faced scrutiny, with allegations of corruption and limited transparency.

Ambitious Goals: A Fifth-Generation Force​

The PAF's vision for the coming decades is ambitious, with a goal of transitioning to a solely fifth-generation fighter jet fleet by 2050. This raises questions surrounding the future of Pakistan's relatively new and capable JF-17 fighters.

Retiring Legacy Aircraft​

Alongside new acquisitions, the PAF plans to retire several aging aircraft. This includes over 100 Mirage-III/V fighters, veterans with over five decades of service, and the Chinese-origin F-7P (a MiG-21 variant) still operating within PAF ranks.

A Fleet in Transition​

Overall, the PAF aims to replace or retire approximately 200 aircraft in the next ten years, with the J-10CE and FC-31 taking up the mantle.

Lingering Uncertainties​

While Pakistan's air force modernization drive is undeniable, questions remain. The details of the FC-31 joint production agreement and the long-term role of the JF-17 program require further clarification.

Additionally, the allegations surrounding the J-10CE procurement cast a shadow over these ambitious efforts.

 

[sanket]

Joint Production or Green Paint ....... Beggaristan Going for Cheap alternative against KHAAN which may b over 100 Mn$ & what about azm ..............Look like it is dead project.

 

[NSR]

No worries at all.

All India has to do is to accelerate manufacturing and installation of Utaam and Uttam derived AESA radars in Jaguars, Mig-29s, and SU-30MKIs.
And try to arm all of Indian fighters with Astra I and/or Astra II BVRAAMs so they can counteract any threats from Beggeristan/Terroristan, and even criminal china.

Surely going to happen soon.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

A full whole page article dedicated to a nation which basically hasnbeen living off on Chinese generosity since the last 5 years or so.
The fact that the said nation could still muster courage to give us a fight In 2019, should be a mirror to our privileged armed forces who have become complacent and gotten used to the idea of continued import of weaponary.
Imported platform can give you comfort, but not absolute superiority. That will come only when we are able to manage our affairs with internal resource.
China is feared not because they own the most cutting edge gears. They are feared because they can easily compensate any shortage internally using their own resources at hand.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

This air force should be rename 2nd Chinese ai force

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Surely going to happen soon.

I wish things were so easy to change in this country.
Problem is, we are a country of haraamkhoor freeloaders.

Only yesterday, there was this journalist going around Delhi asking people on buses and at stations of what they thiught about Kejriwal's arrest. Lo and behold, a big section was remorseful that Kejriwal put behind bars, because he has giving them free Bus rides and Bijli. Did you listen to Sunita ji's press conference yesterday? She has promises that Rs.1000 per month free pension will continue. Money which the due recipient did not do a dime's worth to earn for when they were able-bodied.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

What India needs to do is simply accelerate indigenous programmes with more money, more manpower. Recruit best talents, give them better salary, hire indian origin retired professionals from other countries,professors ,invest in labs, rnd.a robust aerospace industry needs to be made. Helicopters, transport aircraft, jets all should be made by india. Quantity will come out from tejas mk1a, mk2 . Hal needs to upgrade their production capacities by adding more automation.

 

[NSR]

I wish things were so easy to change in this country.
Problem is, we are a country of haraamkhoor freeloaders.

Only yesterday, there was this journalist going around Delhi asking people on buses and at stations of what they thiught about Kejriwal's arrest. Lo and behold, a big section was remorseful that Kejriwal put behind bars, because he has giving them free Bus rides and Bijli. Did you listen to Sunita ji's press conference yesterday? She has promises that Rs.1000 per month free pension will continue. Money which the due recipient did not do a dime's worth to earn for when they were able-bodied.

I am not in India so no I did not know about those things.

I understand that every central and state governments are offering and giving all kinds of free programs.
I do not know who will earn and pay those taxes to foot those bills.

On the other hand, the Uttam AESA radar and its derivatives are already being tested on Tejas IA and SU-30MKIs.

My favorites snacks are Iranian Chai and Hyderabad Samosas for a bountiful of Baathkaani, Mucchetlu, Chit-Chats, etc

 

[Akshat]

What India needs to do is simply accelerate indigenous programmes with more money, more manpower. Recruit best talents, give them better salary, hire indian origin retired professionals from other countries,professors ,invest in labs, rnd.a robust aerospace industry needs to be made. Helicopters, transport aircraft, jets all should be made by india. Quantity will come out from tejas mk1a, mk2 . Hal needs to upgrade their production capacities by adding more automation.

You were going so well and then you named HAL 🤦‍♂️

 

[Satya Dev]

More cheeni toys for 24x7 tracking by our military satellites to be taken out by our S-400 SAMs the moment they take off.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

You were going so well and then you named HAL 🤦‍♂️

There is no one else who can build fighter jets in India.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

What India needs to do is simply accelerate indigenous programmes with more money, more manpower. Recruit best talents, give them better salary, hire indian origin retired professionals from other countries,professors ,invest in labs, rnd.a robust aerospace industry needs to be made. Helicopters, transport aircraft, jets all should be made by india. Quantity will come out from tejas mk1a, mk2 . Hal needs to upgrade their production capacities by adding more automation.

All of the things you mentioned are already happening for past 5 years. HAL has become mordernised and like other global manufacturers in past 5 years due to heavy investment.

 

[Akshat]

There is no one else who can build fighter jets in India.

Clearly HAL can’t make fighter jets in India. Rest everyone else has at least some probability of success.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Clearly HAL can’t make fighter jets in India. Rest everyone else has at least some probability of success.

I guess the tejas aircrafts were imported from somewhere, and our so called private players have been secretly building fighter jets and secretly exporting to other countries. You have access to some secret info it seems

 

[Hari Sud]

Show me the money…….. no IMF for these deals.

 

[Akshat]

I guess the tejas aircrafts were imported from somewhere, and our so called private players have been secretly building fighter jets and secretly exporting to other countries. You have access to some secret info it seems

Oh yes, the great Tejas production. 33 aircrafts delivered in 9 years. In the last 19 months only 1 plane delivered. Mk1a already delivered by months with no delivery in sight. What an amazing production capability.

 

[Manhaje Salaf]

Well well Pakistani air capabilities are full of horrors. Their air defence systems are given to napunsak force. They can't detect Indian jets rammed and returned safely, bramhos have striked their territory without being detected or shot ,last month their friend tiredmissiles and drones into Pakistan. In all these mishaps strkes them in off-guard. American stike for obl that information came from Obama too.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Oh yes, the great Tejas production. 33 aircrafts delivered in 9 years. In the last 19 months only 1 plane delivered. Mk1a already delivered by months with no delivery in sight. What an amazing production capability.

yeah blame HAL, you dont understand that this is a journey for any fighter aircraft. How many rafales were built in its first 10 years, The air force suggests changes after operating the aircraft and these need to be incorporated. This is a tedious and time consuming process.

 

[Akshat]

yeah blame HAL, you dont understand that this is a journey for any fighter aircraft. How many rafales were built in its first 10 years, The air force suggests changes after operating the aircraft and these need to be incorporated. This is a tedious and time consuming process.

Oh yes yes…sure. Did Dassault miss any deadline in the first 10 years? No. Why is the production rate and capacity utilization constantly dropping? This is not the process for any aircraft. You make it on time or get aside. As simple as that. HAL is a failure and now someone else needs to be given this chance.

 

[Akshat]

All of the things you mentioned are already happening for past 5 years. HAL has become mordernised and like other global manufacturers in past 5 years due to heavy investment.

No it hasn’t. In fact, it has deteriorated in the last 5 years. IOC were delivered in less than 3 years. That’s 16 planes in less than 3 years. Then they made 16 FOC in 4 years. Currently, they have made only 1 plane in the last 19 months. So no, HAL has learnt nothing and it has not improved at all. All that has happened is that they have wasted 1000s of crores of investment.