JF-17 Thunder
Type: Lightweight multirole aircraft
Length: 14m
Wingspan: 9.5m
Height: 4.8m
Weight: 6411kg (empty) 12700kg (max payload)
Powerplant: 1xKlimov RD-93(the same engine that powered newer version of MiG-29, and MiG-35)
Max speed: Mach 1.8
Overview
Pakistan involved in the development of JF-17 after the F-16 deal with US is being suspended (due to their nuclear ambition) and are desperate for new fighter to replace bulk of their ageing Chinese-made F-6,F-7, and French Mirage III in service. Coincidently, the Chinese already had its new aircraft project running and decided to join in to develop a lightweight fighter that would replace the entire 2nd generation fighter in both countries’ service.
The joint work began in 1995 and reaching final stage in mid 2000s. Pakistan is expected to acquire 150~250 units in the future. Several studies has already being made to incorporate a mix chinese-western avionics and weapon system into the JF-17 to make it a more capable aircraft and more attractive for export (such as French-made radar, British-made communication system and Chinese-made targeting pod).
JF-17, together with their F-16(and newer F-16 C/D acquired recently, after the sanction being lifted off) and FC-20(Export variant of J-10),is expected to be the backbone of Pakistan Air Force. This would give them a fighting chance against their numerically (and technologically) superior foe, the Indian Air Force (which has Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, MiG-29SMT and the future MMRCA programme)
JF-17 in Malaysian service?
It’s unlikely that JF-17 being chosen to meet RMAF requirement for new generation fighter aircraft (with reasons pretty much being explained in previous post about JAS-39 Gripen). However, there are several qualities which would attract the top brass/Mindef interest towards the aircraft and its potential.
-Low cost. For around USD 15 mil a pop (depending on which variant, the level of sophistication, and the number bought), a country of our financial capability can easily acquire it by the dozens (24~36 units).While the maneuverability is somewhat a mystery question, the requirement of the aircraft(as a low cost F-16 complement in PAF) and the general design(big delta wing and LERX, somewhat similar in F/A-18,and fly by wire capability), the aircraft has nothing that suggest that it has inherent weakness that will compromise the maneuverability.
- JF-17 is more than capable to be an ADF (air defence fighter) aircraft. Currently the tasks of air defence are taken by F-5E and MiG-29N in our inventory. Being a 4 generation aircraft, JF-17 is much more advanced than F-5E and MiG-29N (both aircraft only saw SLEP upgrade instead of full modernization programme) and as multirole combat aircraft, it can do much more mission than air defence(such as anti ship, area bombing, air-to-ground mission, SEAD, etc)
-JF-17 can also be used in a ‘less than important’ mission such as point and/or area defence, air patrol, interception, CAS, etc. This can release some pressure from our front line fighter aircraft, in a way that they can focus on more important mission given (such as key target bombing, gaining air supremacy, deep penetration strike, etc)
-JF-17 can be equipped with both Chinese/Russian and western-bloc weapon (if the source code is provided) through 7 of its hard points.
-It is being integrated with Erieye AEW aircraft in Pakistani service, and that would be a huge bonus to RMAF (which has planned to acquire several AEW system, with Erieye is the most possible option)
-Being a non-traditional weapon supplier, Pakistan would offer much more to see the deal (if being done) to go through. Barter-trade, extensive ToT, credit payment, offset deal, even unlimited armament deal without any sanction whatsoever, all of these would be used us to gain leverage from them and demand the best deal for our buck.
Thus JF-17 would be a good replacement for existing Hawk Mk 208, F-5E (even MiG-29N, which was almost being retired in early 2010). A Hi-Lo mix of Su-30MKM, F/A-18D (and possibly F/A-18F) and JF-17 would give a significant boost towards RMAF capability.
If it's good for the Pakistan Air Force then it's good enough for RMAF.Pakistan Air Force is the best among the Muslim nations airforces.It's expertice and experience is much sought after by among others the Saudi Arabia government to train it's RSAF personnels.
ReplyDeleteNo one airforce as an entity, in the world has embark in a project of such magnitude, the Pakistan Air Force has done just that, collaborating with the Government of China, a proven ally of Pakistan, producing a modern, affordable and effective combat aircraft.What our Malaysian government should do much earlier is to be a partner in this project, no matter how small our role or share in the JF17 project, but what counts is the benefits that we are bound to gain as a participating production nation.One reason for me saying this is that we already have a sound carbon fibre manucfacturing facility for aircraft use, that is CTRM. As we know it is already a subcontractor for manufacturing aelerons for Boeng Company.I wish to stress that it is never too late to open a discussion with our Pakistan and China counterparts.
What we lack in numbers, in term of combat aircraft of all roles, we make up with the professionalism and courage among our pilots and other personnel of the RMAF. Thanks to wise leaders such as Tun Mahathir and now Dato Seri Najib, who are willing to listen to the top military planners in ATM, we now have a leaner but more effective airfoce, army and navy. At least another 2 squadrons of combat aircraft in the class of JF17 and a squadron of air suppremacy fighter jets in the class of the Su30MKM are needed to safeguard our vast nation's airspace and to counter the superior number of fighter aircraft of our southern neighbour.Do not forget our priority to obtain the AWAC aircraft for the RMAF and two additional submarines for RMN and plus new logistic vessels. It is a welcoming news that additional 6 new NGPVs are in the pipeline as well as the new batch of 8x8 APCs for the Army.
To maintain our existance as a sovereign nation and to enable Malaysia to play a better and ever increasing roles in future UN taskings,an increase in our defence budget is justified. It is an invesment of sort in which peace is the ultimate returns.
Westaussiemalay@gmail.com
Captain (Retired), RAMD
Western Australia.