JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread

siegecrossbow

General
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I have heard words that at a Turkish exercise on 09/07/2021, Pakistan Air Force JF-17 dominated Qatar Air Force Rafale. More specifically a less credible source said a simulated air battle were had between six JF-17 and four Rafale and JF-17 were able to down all four Rafale for loss of two JF-17.

Still trying to find some official words on this.

That sounds bogus. Pakistan only sent five JF-17s. How were they able to use six in simulated combat?
 

Maula Jatt

Junior Member
Registered Member
I have heard words that at a Turkish exercise, Pakistan Air Force JF-17 dominated Qatar Air Force Rafale. More specifically a less credible source said a simulated air battle were had between six JF-17 and four Rafale and JF-17 were able to down all four Rafale for loss of two JF-17.

Still trying to find some official words on this.
I highly doubt it

But if it's true

China should give PAF pilots some medals or something for increasing thier sales and especially prestige of Chinese weaponary cause certainly plane itself isn't capable of taking on Rafaele unless pilots are on top of thier game with luck on thier side

In my humble opinion
 

Temstar

Brigadier
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据卡塔尔当地媒体的报道,本次空战演习中共有6架枭龙战斗机与4架阵风战斗机参演,巴基斯坦空军的JF-17枭龙战斗机取得了最终的胜利,在空战模拟对抗环节摘得6次胜利,而卡塔尔空军阵风战斗机仅获胜2次,双方总比分为6:2

However there's also this:
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Which says although initially JF-17 was winning initially in one-on-one, when it came to squadron-on-squadron and ground attack Rafale got the upper hand.
 
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LawLeadsToPeace

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Yes s*** on the lil guy for taking freebies...
:)
Oh s**t. I can’t believe I worded my post like that. What I meant to say sarcastically is that the Chinese always give Pakistan for free whatever the Pakistanis want. Regardless, from retrospect, it was a dumb comment. Sorry about that. I need to sleep earlier next time.
 

Maula Jatt

Junior Member
Registered Member
Oh s**t. I can’t believe I worded my post like that. What I meant to say sarcastically is that the Chinese always give Pakistan for free whatever the Pakistanis want. Regardless, from retrospect, it was a dumb comment. Sorry about that. I need to sleep earlier next time.
Oh nah I was joking around dude, don't mind it, need better emojis here to get the point across
 

ougoah

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However there's also this:
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Which says although initially JF-17 was winning initially in one-on-one, when it came to squadron-on-squadron and ground attack Rafale got the upper hand.

No details of the engagement parameters? Maybe (assuming story is even true) the Rafale pilot was a total rooky and the engagement was a WVR dogfight against a seasoned JF-17 pilot with the Rafale starting from a disadvantaged position. Who knows.

Rafale winning group engagement (again giving benefit of doubt to story) is telling. Group engagement should have been relatively evenly set up and if they won that, the Rafale is better. Therefore where is the "domination"? If JF-17 block 1/2 can get the upper hand over Rafale, it is almost definitely pilot ability. In no domain is JF-17 block 1/2 superior or even equal to Rafale in BVR or WVR. Especially BVR where JF-17 is better off not even engaging. Poorer range, poorer payload, shorter ranged missiles, lesser radar (even block 3's proposed lightweight AESA remains doubtful to hold any edge on older AESA RBE).

JF-17 was never designed or acquired to be some counter to Rafale in equal numbers. It is a cheap enough and decent enough set of eyes and missiles in the sky for PAF. A decently equipped airforce always needs a certain minimum number of fighters that can be airborne and carry out missions. This is Pakistan's where it can afford it in the hundreds and produce much of it by itself, with its own people. That's the role. Not taking on a modernised 4.5 gen mid weight fighter. People expecting JF-17 to do much against Rafale on an individual basis, are delusional. India doesn't have large numbers of Rafales. That's the current saving grace for PAF's concerns. PAF's counter move remains to be seen. If they are sure Rafales won't be used against Pakistan because they're much more likely positioned against China, while that's true, it's just poor planning.
 
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plawolf

Lieutenant General
Pakistani pilots have more first hand experience flying Rafales than Indians since much of turn ME gulf states’ air forces are essentially piloted by PAF pilots on loan.

I suspect that is how they were able to get the better of the Rafales one-on-one by exploiting any and all localised advantages the JF17s might have had; while taking full advantage of any limits or shortcomings on the Rafale.

When it came to squadron fights, I expect it became a lot harder to pull those tricks and that is why the Rafales did better.
 
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