China and Pakistan are negotiating for 100+JH-7A fighter bombers to deliver Pakistan

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,498
Likes
16,938
Country flag
According to south China morning post and a article from Diplomats,,,,,,China and Pakistan are negotiating for 100+JH-7A fighter bombers to deliver Pakistan to replacement of Pakistan's old Mirage-lll bombers,,,if it's true,,it will be a game changer for Pakistani Air Force1/3
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,498
Likes
16,938
Country flag
Is the Chinese JH-7 an Answer to the Pakistan Air Force’s Deep Strike Needs?
Amidst sustained tensions between the two nuclear armed South Asian neighbors, the Indian Air Force is scheduled to receive the first batch of four state-of-the-art Rafale fighter jets by the end of July 2020. The 7.87 billion euro Rafale deal between France and New Delhi for a total order of 36 jets was finally inked in September 2016, after much controversy and delay. According to the delivery schedule, the Indian Air Force shall receive all jets by May 2022. Armed with Meteor missiles and a highly sophisticated electronic warfare suite, New Delhi’s Rafale acquisition threatens to tilt the balance of power in South Asia in the IAF’s favor.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been following the Indian Air Force’s modernization program with keen interest, but budget constraints mean that Islamabad’s chances of acquiring a fighter jet of similar capability are slim. Instead, Pakistan seems to be focusing on the latest variant of its indigenous JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter.

A prototype of the new JF-17 Block 3 fighter first flew in December 2019 and the jet has since undergone a further period of testing. By inducting an AESA radar-capable Block 3 variant in numbers by 2025, the PAF is confident that it can deny the larger Indian Air Force victory in a future conflict. Numerous reports have also hinted that the Block 3 would be armed with the much vaunted Chinese PL-15 missiles, which out-range everything in the IAF’s inventory, barring the Meteors.

Furthermore, unlike the IAF’s emphasis on induction of new platforms, the Pakistan Air Force has in recent years focused more on weapon systems and sensor upgrades to their existing fleet. This strategy paid dividends during the aerial engagement between the two air forces’ on February 27, 2019, as the PAF successfully infiltrated Indian airspace in Kashmir and managed to shoot down an IAF MiG-21.

However, despite the PAF’s well executed operation in February 2019, the Indian Air Force is equipped with aircraft that are both qualitatively and numerically superior to much of the PAF’s inventory. These include the IAF’s frontline air superiority fighter, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and the highly capable Mirage 2000 multirole aircraft. On the other hand, the PAF still relies largely on its limited fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons as its primary air asset. The PAF has no more than 75 F-16 jets and a significant number of those are of the vintage Block A variant, delivered to Islamabad in the 1980s. Other aircraft include 100-plus JF-17s of the Block 1 and Block 2 variants, as well as a large operational fleet of the 1960s-era Mirage 3 fighter.

Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.

In the event of an all-out conventional war, the PAF’s limited frontline air assets are at risk of getting overstretched. More worryingly for Islamabad, the Indian Navy operates a sizeable independent air arm, which can be utilized in a conflict scenario to target Pakistan’s coastal industrial hub of Karachi. The much smaller Pakistan Navy does not operate fighter jets, instead relying on the PAF for aerial maritime strike operations.

This creates additional problems for the PAF, which is tasked with confronting the IAF along its long vulnerable eastern border as well as countering the Indian Navy’s air arm on the southern coast. The PAF’s problem of diverting much-needed air assets to the coast can be resolved by the acquisition of a cost-efficient aerial strike platform for the Pakistan Navy. Given Islamabad’s intimate relationship with China and the economic problems currently gripping the country, acquiring the JH-7 heavy strike fighter can both provide its navy with much needed aerial strike capability as well as free up PAF’s core assets to engage with the IAF for supremacy over the battlefields of Kashmir and Punjab.

The JH-7, while utilizing an old air frame, is a highly effective aircraft for deep strike operations. The jet first flew in 1988 and small numbers were delivered to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force during the 1990s. An improved version of the JH-7 fighter-bomber, also known by the NATO designation Flounder, began to be inducted in large numbers after 2004, after the Chinese aviation industry was able to indigenously manufacture a derivative of the Rolls Royce Spey engine. The Spey engine was designed specifically by the British for development of a low flying naval strike aircraft to counter the Soviet Navy in the Cold War.

ADVERTISEMENT

Faced with cuts in defense expenditure and decreasing global influence after World War II, Britain could no longer afford to operate a sizable navy to deter the Soviet threat. Instead, the British opted for developing naval strike aircraft, such as the Blackburn Buccaneer, to extract a heavy toll on large Soviet Navy cruisers in a future conflict. The Spey engines were later utilized on the Royal Air Force’s fleet of F-4 Phantoms, giving the aircraft greater range and a shorter takeoff distance.

In addition to their low maintenance and impressive safety record, the Spey engine’s utility lies in the fact that it is designed specifically for sustained low altitude flight below the radar horizon of enemy naval vessels. Despite significant advances in jet engine development since the Cold War, the majority of engines today are designed for mid-to-high altitude flight. Flying at low altitude to avoid radar detection for longer periods thus decreases much of the engines’ range.

The JH-7 also complements the Pakistan Navy’s combat doctrine, which is based on the anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) blueprint. The PN’s three Khalid-class submarines form the linchpin of their A2/AD strategy, with the wartime objective of preventing an attempted blockade of the vital Karachi port by the Indian Navy. Acquisition of the JH -7 by Pakistan would provide Islamabad with lethal capability to considerably limit the maneuvering capacity of the Indian Navy in the proximity of Karachi port.

Also, the JH-7, with its longer combat range, heavy payload capacity, and ability to fly under enemy radar cover provides Islamabad with an offensive capacity targeted at India’s protracted western coastline. Hence, acquisition of the JH-7 by Pakistan serves both defensive and offensive purposes. The improved JH-7A variant currently in service with the PLA Air Force is capable to carry over seven tonnes of armament, including four KD-88/YJ-83 anti-ship missiles.

DIPLOMAT BRIEF
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

N
Get first-read access to major articles yet to be released, as well as links to thought-provoking commentaries and in-depth articles from our Asia-Pacific correspondents.
SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER
The capability to carry long range anti-ship missiles, which can be launched more than 100 miles away from their targets, means that the JH-7 is able to utilize an asymmetric “hit and run” strategy before enemy air defenses can effectively engage with it. This doctrine was perhaps most aptly demonstrated by the Argentine Air Force during the 1982 Falklands War, as French Super Etendard strike aircraft armed with Exocet missiles sank two British warships.

One alternative to the JH-7 for Pakistan is its existing arsenal of cruise missiles, but this option has its own pitfalls. First, cruise missiles follow a predictable trajectory and are vulnerable to interception by India’s air defense network and fighter aircraft such as the Sukhoi 30 MKI. Second, the use of cruise missiles, even in an all-out conflict, presents a significant leap in terms of escalation. As such, a cruise missile attack by either New Delhi or Islamabad can lead to an eventual nuclear exchange.

Having extensive prior experience in operating and maintaining Chinese-built aircraft such as the H-5, J-6, and F-7, acquisition of the JH-7 by Pakistan and its effective combat use for the heavy strike role presents an ideal “stop-gap” solution for the PAF until sufficient numbers of the JF-17 Block 3 are inducted. The Chinese also appear eager to sell much of their JH-7 fleet, showcasing the fighter bomber for sale at air shows such as the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. As prospects of inducting foreign jets from Western countries appear bleak, the JH-7 appears to be the PAF’s only viable option to assert itself in a volatile region.
 

Anandhu Krishna

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2017
Messages
1,086
Likes
4,060
Apparently they have 87 Mirage-lll and they are replacing it with 100+ aircraft.
 

Craigs

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2016
Messages
1,388
Likes
3,363
Country flag
According to south China morning post and a article from Diplomats,,,,,,China and Pakistan are negotiating for 100+JH-7A fighter bombers to deliver Pakistan to replacement of Pakistan's old Mirage-lll bombers,,,if it's true,,it will be a game changer for Pakistani Air Force1/3
Another crappy jaguar copy. No idea what engine it is using.
 

Gandaberunda

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2019
Messages
1,769
Likes
8,434
Country flag
These are obsolete bombers only operate in uncontested air space and one trick pony aircrafts! Chinese has stopped the production. In modern EW warfare IAF will take out them easily from stand off weapons! and there is no way they can enter deep inside Indian air space to strike un contested.
 

fire starter

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
Jan 14, 2020
Messages
9,609
Likes
84,136
Country flag
According to south China morning post and a article from Diplomats,,,,,,China and Pakistan are negotiating for 100+JH-7A fighter bombers to deliver Pakistan to replacement of Pakistan's old Mirage-lll bombers,,,if it's true,,it will be a game changer for Pakistani Air Force1/3
mirage is still better than this copied crap.
 

Gandaberunda

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2019
Messages
1,769
Likes
8,434
Country flag
It has 9 ton paylaod double that of a Jaguar.
This deal must not pass or we will be in trouble.
LOL Pakistan doesn't have a budget to build their ruhani takat aircraft JF17 BLK 3 and they're going to buy this from china ? Production has been stopped and how will they re start the production? By handing over half the territory of Pak? There is no need of fear mongering as pak themselves are not interested in this obsolete aircraft!
 

Bleh

Laughing member
Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2017
Messages
6,166
Likes
25,826
Country flag
Jh-7 is a very, very capable ground-attack aircraft compared to Jaguars. This massive bomber carries nearly double the payload of & launch ASMs. But has seen ZERO exports in 2 decades.


However this deal is a very very good news for us!!! :megusta: :megusta: :megusta:
I would take 100 of this over 80 Mirage-3 any day of the week, twice on Sundays!.. Mirage-3 would be able to hold it own against Migs & Jags atleast, being maneuverable enough to dodge BVRs. But this one aint a dogfighter at all, can only do interception with BVRs. And this is fully made of metal, with huge RCS (it's a fucking 3rd gen with some new tech)... Even with escorts, a Rafale or Tejas would snipe it from miles.
In any sort of contested airspace, this is already scrap metal.

Much more importantly, it shows how pathetically low Paki trust is on Jf-17 is for deep strike or interdiction missions, to buy this instead!
 
Last edited:

Craigs

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2016
Messages
1,388
Likes
3,363
Country flag
Again no information on its power-plant. Is it still using the locally manufactures RR one or something else? Pakis are really desperate if they are going for this embarrassment of a fighter bomber. After wearing used Chinese underwear as masks I guess they are doing the same for their fighter fleet.
 

Ultramarine

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2016
Messages
33
Likes
181
Country flag
That diplomat article is good for laughs. For starters, it chooses to remain absolutely mum on the humiliation that the PAF faced in Balakot. It also says "unlike the IAF’s emphasis on induction of new platforms, the Pakistan Air Force has in recent years focused more on weapon systems and sensor upgrades to their existing fleet". Like really? The IAF can acquire new platforms because it can ! Pakistan, not so much. It says nothing on the Jaguar, Mig-29, Mirage upgrades not to mention the upcoming Su-30 upgrades.
Next it says the Rafale deal threatens to tilt the balance of power in IAF's favor and in the same breath also says at present the IAF has platforms that are quantitatively better and numerically superior ! Sigh..

JH-7 will be replaced in the PLAAF by their Su-34 copy and PAF wants to buy JH-7 instead. To me it presents a few conclusions on the PAF itself and Pakistan as a country:

1. The precarious state of the Pakistani economy. Wet dreams of acquiring Eurofighter and Su-35 notwithstanding, they are settling for hand me down stuff from PLAAF. PAF would have anyday wanted to have some european/american aircraft in their stable but have to settle for an chinese product. Posters may remember the pakistani attempts to integrate a lot of european gear on JF-17.

2. The mirages are long in the tooth and the PAF desperately needs to retire them with something that provides them with a semblance of dedicated attack aircrafts. Doesnt matter how and which aircraft come but apparently the need to replace the Mirage fleet is too great to ignore.

3. The fear of the Indian navy air arm. If the deal of 57 carrier based aircraft deal happens(duh!), they will be hopelessly outmatched and outgunned.

4. The recent noise on acquiring SAAB AEWCS needs to be seen in the context of their existing gap in radar coverage. They are in all likelihood trying to plug there gaps in air defence with these. In IAF context, it certainly helps to have more of these systems but if wishes were horses..
Nonetheless, we too have been acquiring a plethora of radar systems to deploy on the borders and nearby areas, not to mention the low level tracking radars and mountain radars.

5. The pakistanis have been nimble footed in some of their acquisitions but ours have been a long time in the coming. The Rafales are coming after so long amidst a protracted political tussle, the refuellers are still no where in sight, armed UAVs are still away, the follow on deal of the MMRCA is still hanging fire, the Tejas though mature now should have come a couple of years back, extra Mig-29's and M2K's should have been picked up from the market etc. The list is long..

Though the IAF will prevail in any conflict with PAF, it certainly helps if we were in a stronger position to begin with.
 

IndianHawk

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2016
Messages
9,058
Likes
37,669
Country flag
It's a helpless obsolete bomber with no air to air capability.
Lca can shoot these things down all day.

Good for pakistan more targets for IAF .
 

MIDKNIGHT FENERIR-00

VICTORIOUM AUT MORS
Senior Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2019
Messages
3,102
Likes
10,255
Again no information on its power-plant. Is it still using the locally manufactures RR one or something else? Pakis are really desperate if they are going for this embarrassment of a fighter bomber. After wearing used Chinese underwear as masks I guess they are doing the same for their fighter fleet.
It’s uses the local Chinese Copy of the British Rolls-Royce Spey Engine
 

Latest Replies

Global Defence

Articles

Top