Pakistan Pakistan Air Force News and Discussions

[TR_123456]

The pilot may be referring to the F-16s in PAF inventory.

Yeah,still not convinced.
Whats better on the J10C?
No specifics nothing.
What about the engines used?

 

[Fatman17]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2097202799272657366

 

[Fatman17]

Yeah,still not convinced.
Whats better on the J10C?
No specifics nothing.
What about the engines used?

Combat history of both aircraft in PAF inventory is noteworthy. F-16s were used extensively in the Afghan war in the late 80s with multiple kills. As recently as 2019 a PAF F-16 shot down a adversary MiG-21.
PAF J-10CE performance in the 2025 skirmish v IAF is also noteworthy with multiple kills including Rafales.
So the question arises why J-10CE was preferred over the F-16s?
F-16 engines are probably superior to the ones used on the J-10CE.
J-10CE is equipped with AESA radar whereas the F-16s in PAF inventory probably don't.
The BVR missiles used on the J-10CE have a longer kill range than the BVR missiles on the F-16s.
In my opinion J-10CE is at par with the F-16 Block 50/52 and superior than the block 40s in PAF inventory.
PAF F-16s fleet requires upgrades which are not forthcoming in the short term. Osgur upgrade would require a US NOC? l don't know.
Hence the preference for the J-10CE and PAF has announced recently that another squadron has been ordered.

 

[Fatman17]

The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is an American supersonic, radar-guided, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile designed for all-weather, day-or-night operations. Developed by Raytheon (originally Hughes Aircraft), it entered service in 1991 to replace the older AIM-7 Sparrow series. [1]

Key Features

• • Fire-and-Forget: Uses an internal computer and inertial navigation for mid-course update, then switches to active radar homing in its final phase so the pilot can break lock or engage other targets. [1]
  • Speed and Range: Reaches supersonic speeds (over Mach 4) with a range of 20+ miles for standard variants and over 100 miles for the advanced AIM-120D variant. [1]
  • Guidance: Active radar seeker combined with a data link and an inertial reference unit. It can also home in passively on enemy radar jamming signals. [1]
  • Warhead: 40-pound blast-fragmentation warhead triggered by impact or proximity fuses. [1]

PAF inventory is the AIM-120C-5

 

[Fatman17]

The PL-15 is a long-range, active radar-guided beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by China. [1]

Key Specifications

• • Speed: Over Mach 4 to Mach 5
  • Range: Up to 200–300 km for domestic variants; the export variant (PL-15E) has a reduced range of roughly 145–200 km
  • Propulsion: Dual-pulse solid-fuel rocket motor for extended terminal energy
  • Guidance: Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar seeker with a two-way data link [1]

PL-15E or ER

 

[Fatman17]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2097743446874144911

 

[Fatman17]

Special Report: Pakistan fields new air-defence systems

Pakistan appears to be expanding its air-defence architecture by deploying new Chinese and Turkish systems. These include the Chinese HQ-17AE short-range surface-to-air...

www.janes.com

 

[Fatman17]

Pakistan's Point Defence Anti-Air Requirement

MSPO 2026 showed Europe frontloading low-cost SAMs. Pakistan's PDMS and airburst munition requirement is next.

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At Poland’s 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2026), Europe has showcased that effective, low-cost air defence solutions are a major priority for its industry and end-users.

This pursuit is unique to Europe as – in contrast to other markets (e.g., Pakistan) relying on interceptor drones and anti-air guns (AAG) – it is focusing on tuning surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) such that they provide a level of scalability and effectiveness to not only stop drones but cruise missiles too.

 

[Fatman17]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2097717676030189824