Posted on 01/23/2014 9:03:45 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
BU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has been examining the prospect of becoming a partner in Pakistan’s fighter jet program.
Officials said the Saudi Defense Ministry has been reviewing Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jet program.
The officials said representatives of the ministry as well as the Royal Saudi Air Force were examining the feasibility of procuring JF-17 as part of cooperation with Islamabad.
“This project could provide the kingdom with technology that could be used in future projects,” an official said.
On Jan. 20, Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Salman Bin Sultan visited Pakistan and toured the JF-17 project, modeled after the U.S.-origin F-16 and which entered production in late 2013. Salman, hosted by Pakistani Chief of Staff Gen. Raheel Sharif, was said to have focused on enhanced defense cooperation, including training and an exchange of expertise.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security and enhanced bilateral defense collaboration including training exchange program were discussed,” an official statement said.
Pakistan has been deemed the leading strategic ally of Saudi Arabia. Western diplomats said Pakistan, with assistance from China, has provided ballistic missiles and non-conventional weapons expertise to the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom.
Officials said Pakistan has offered to supply the Saudi military with aircraft, main battle tanks and submarines. They said the offer included technology transfer as well as co-production in Saudi Arabia.
“The expectation is that Saudi purchases from Pakistan will increase over the coming year,” the official said.
doesn’t really look like its modeled after a f-16. kind of more of a f-20 tigershark with some f-4 styling over the back.
Looks pretty dated to me. Certainly no stealth fighter.
The JF-17 “Flying Carpet.” At least they have plenty of oil to fill tanks.Doesn’t even begin to look like an F-16, maybe they were referring to avionics.
Looks more like a Mirage Variant than an F16.
It’s the cheapest fighter on the market while having most of the standard technologies. Besides, it would seal a vital military link with China, its real manufacturer, the Pakis being a proxy. And, it would make a decent replacement for the 100 or so F-5s in Saudi service.
Oh yes. It’s a perfect F-5 replacement.
It is dated. Aerodynamics are 1970s-ish. Look at the aircraft from an above/below view and the F-16 lineage is striking.
I think the Saudis are reasonably pissed at the current Admin and are looking at their options. They probably won’t go here but if they make it interesting it could be a big deal.
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