Ws13a?

FriedRiceNSpice said:

Migleader is so full of *can't say on this forum but I think all you guys know what I'm thinking*

The JF-17 program was so useless for the PRC. They developed it, devoted much brainpower and resources, and paid for half of it, and all they get is a fighter they won't even use. Essentially, all they did was develop a fighter for Pakistan. Maybe they gained some technical experience and technology and are more skilled now, but that would be all. Pakistan, on the other hand, gains a new fighter superior to anything they have, plus they gain all the new tech that they hever had before.

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:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Sorry you don't believe technical experience and technology are worth anything?

Attacking another member whether by cursing or otherwise is in bad taste. Unless your're a politician.

Both Pakistan and China know that Pakistan WILL NOT be basing it's airforce around a core of US aircraft in the future. That's the reason why Pakistan felt able to turn down the F-16's. The JF-17 is China's version of selling Pakistan software. Pakistan then needs Chinese help for future upgrades

Incidentally does anybody here believe that Missiles will overtake Aircraft in the future ? Everything seems to point that way. The only use I can see for aircraft in the future is as standing missile platforms

skyhawk2005 said:

And why should the Chinese do that when they have the longer ranged heavier J10?

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I agree that the PLAAF is better off with fewer aircraft types for supply/logistics issues, but not beacuse the JF-17 is that much useless or inferior.

Why does everyone assume that the JF-17 has very short range? The aircraft has published operational range of 1,352 km. This is not an unreasonable estimate assuming that it's carrying 2 external fuel tanks under its wing-root pylons, along with 4x AAM's but not anything heavier.

The JF-17 and ROCAF's IDF are similiar in size and weight. The IDF, with 2x 275 gallon (1,041 liter) drop tanks, has an operational range of 1,100 km. Both the JF-17 and the IDF are built as point defense fighters, but just as the IDF can be modified to carry anti-ship missiles, so can the JF-17 be upgraded for ground/sea strike.

If you add conformal fuel tanks to either the JF-17 or the IDF, it'd extend their operational range even further. The only question here is if there's a good reason to do so. If the PRC intends to use the JF-17 as the replacement for J-7 exports, then it'd make sense to make the JF-17 more appealing with many options to suit the customer's needs.