Pakistan Developing Indigenous 4.5+ Gen PFX Fighter Jet to Rival India's Tejas Mk2, But JF-17 "Failure" Spurs Doubts

At the recent IDEAS 2024 defence exhibition, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) revealed its ambitious PFX (Pakistan Fighter Program) to develop an indigenous 4.5+ generation fighter jet.

This initiative aims to boost Pakistan's air combat capabilities and reduce its reliance on imported platforms, potentially positioning the PFX as a rival to India's Tejas Mk2.

The PFX is envisioned as a twin-engine fighter with advanced features like canards for enhanced maneuverability and an AESA radar. PAF officials claim it will surpass the JF-17, their current mainstay fighter co-developed with China. They suggest the first PFX prototype could fly within 4-5 years.

However, the ambitious PFX program faces skepticism due to the perceived shortcomings of the JF-17. Critics argue that the JF-17, despite being touted as a success, has failed to live up to expectations, with limited export success and persistent questions about its capabilities. This casts doubt on Pakistan's ability to independently develop a more advanced fighter jet like the PFX.

Despite these doubts, the PFX program highlights Pakistan's determination to modernize its air force. With its aging fleet of Mirage-III/V and F-16s, Pakistan is seeking a capable multi-role fighter to bridge the gap before the anticipated arrival of the fifth-generation J-35A from China.

The PFX program is driven by several key factors:

• Reducing reliance on imports: Developing an indigenous fighter reduces dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthens Pakistan's domestic defence industry.
• Enhancing air combat capabilities: The PFX aims to significantly upgrade Pakistan's air power compared to the JF-17.
• Technological advancement: The PFX program fosters technological expertise in aerospace engineering within Pakistan.
• Strategic deterrence: A modern, domestically produced fighter jet enhances Pakistan's regional strategic deterrence.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

the biggest dream from pak, poor fellows let them dream.

 

[M S Chatterji]

Requires $2-3 Billion for its first flight and 3,000 engineers and technicians. Pakistan has neither of these.

Then, What is Pakistan after?

It is psychological warfare on India and keep the local population morale high.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

Whether money is there or not, loans to be repaid or not they will:

• beg, eat grass or beg in Mecca Medina, fold with hands in front of China, Saudi and UAE
• Sell heroin, drugs arms to raise money

but they must match India At all costs even if they were to go bankrupt.
Their pathological hatred for Indians Hindus has already bankrupted them and it augurs well as with no money spent on education health sanitation housing hunger internal strife they should fall apart.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

They have a trainer aircraft called super mushak. With close to 500 produced.

 

[Aman kumar]

They have a trainer aircraft called super mushak. With close to 500 produced.

It's a licence build saab safari bro, It's not even developed in house.

 

[Amda]

Another chinese plane with chinese engine and chinese design these Pakistanis will rename chinese plane like what they did for fc xiolong to jf 17. These Pakistanis only knows to buy Chinese planes and then rename and claim they made it. Pakistanis assemble made in china planes and they claim big.

 

[BCharlie]

Pak & Turkey together are working on the PFX - TFX (kaan) 5th gen program .. Its happening at a rapid pace .. the way its going, soon we will get a surprise. .. we should concentrate on our issues & resolve it soonest