Forum: F-16 News

pakviper wrote:

@politasso, thanks for the info, i have confirmed the same as well. @karachikid, 32 F-16s, left originally out their 40, we received 14 upgraded versions of A/B models couple of years back, total comes to 46 vipers. So, our 46 vipers are currently receiving MLU upgrade in Turkey, in addition to this we will have 32 advanced block-52s, by end of next year. our fleet will be of 78 vipers. Our MLU vipers will carry BVR Missiles also.

Umm ... there are a couple of things which need to be corrected. Everyone here conveniently forgot that one PAF F-16 crashed i think in 2008/9. Which brings the number of Pakistan Air Force's fleet of F-16 A/B to (31). So the actual specifics are:

- 31 F-16 A/B Block-15 OCUs Original Order of 40
- 14 F-16 A/B Block-15 OCUs Refurbish Aircrafts 14/28
- 18 F-16 C/D Block-52s New Order Aircrafts
- 14 F-16 A/B Block-15 OCUs Refurbish Aircrafts 28/28

This brings the total squarely onto 77 fighters.

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It was a false alarm, to-date PAF-public relations haven't confirmed an F-16 loss. it was either a Mirage or an F7-P which went down somewhere near Sargodha.

31/32 f-16A/B block 15, which after MLU will be f-16AM.

Similarly 14 refurbished f-16A/B block-15 will be designated the same, i.e
F-16AM.

Apart from these 18 F-16C/D Block 50/52+, loi, mou has been signed for another batch of brand new F-16 block50/52+ expected to be delivered by end of next year.

For the 32 block52+ Falcons two new squadrons will be formed, which will be stationed at Shahbaz AB, Jacobabad. 22 will be F-16Cs, and 12 will be
F-16Ds.

Its also worth mentioning that we have received 14 out of our 28 embargoed f-16s, negotiations are under-way to get them released, and transferred to PAF, and if that happens, then by 2012, we will have 91 F-16s in all.

Anyway, does anyone have any pic of the latest vipers in new squadron markings ? ACM Suleman said that they'll be operating under 5th Sq. " Falcons ", so, does anyone have any pic of these vipers with the squadron logo ?

These are not "Upgraded" they are brand New f-16C/D Block-52+. innacurate news reporting!

Quote:

These are not "Upgraded" they are brand New f-16C/D Block-52+. innacurate news reporting!

Exactly, forgot to mention that. Very Happy

pakviper wrote:

Its also worth mentioning that we have received 14 out of our 28 embargoed f-16s, negotiations are under-way to get them released, and transferred to PAF, and if that happens, then by 2012, we will have 91 F-16s in all.

I'm not really sure PAF will receive the 28 embargoed aircraft (from 1992, was it?) They were transferred to the Boneyard covered up in white tarp or whatever while being marketed to various customers which never materialized. I think many of them (perhaps all of them) were later commissioned with the US Navy for training purposes if I remember correctly.

If PAF is to receive 28 additional used/mlu'd aircraft, they may be from another source.

Anyhow, the number of PAF f16 by 2012 varies considerably depending upon who you speak with.

Here's my assessment:

Scenario I (certain)

32 original MLU'd F16's upgraded to AM status
14 additional used F16's upgraded to AM status
18 Block 50/52 C/D's
TOTAL: 64

Scenario II (possible)
32 original MLU'd F16's upgraded to AM status
14 additional used F16's upgraded to AM status
18 Block 50/52 C/D's
14 Embargo replacements upgraded to AM status
TOTAL: 78

Scenario III (probable)
32 original MLU'd F16's upgraded to AM status
14 additional used F16's upgraded to AM status
18 Block 50/52 C/D's
14 additional Block 50/52 C/D's
TOTAL: 78

Scenario IV (hopeful)
32 original MLU'd F16's upgraded to AM status
14 additional used F16's upgraded to AM status
18 Block 50/52 C/D's
14 additional Block 50/52 C/D's
28 Embargo replacements upgraded to AM status
TOTAL: 106

Intelligent/informed comments are welcomed.

I hope "Scenario IV" comes true Very Happy

Hello All,

Here is one of the PAK which were seen at Lajes on June 22:

PAF F-16D block 52 #10805 is seen landing at Lajes Field during a stop over during its delivery flight to Pakistan on June 22nd, 2010.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Pakistan ... 1733354/L/

They were 3 of them (F16CJ 10902, F16DJ 10804 and F16DJ 10805). I hope to see more around here, they are some beautiful F16's!!
The 3 departed Lajes on June 24, anyone knows where was their destination before reach Pakistan on June 26?

Kind Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

its a toss up between scenario III & IV. Whatever happens, i just hope and pray that we are able to use all the vipers for their full service life, including upgrades during that time. to keep our vipers flying we will be needing continous logistical support in terms of replacement parts from lockheed martin, well that depends on our so-called relations with the UNited States in the near future.

As we have been hearing that there are strings attached to these block 52s and possibly our entire AM fleet by the US government, for not allowing to use any of the f-16s incase of a war breaking out with india, is that true??? cos our air chief said clearly infront of US military's top brass and diplomatic personnel at shahbaz that quote " we can and will use these new and upgraded f-16s for both internal and external threats(india/afghanistan, and whosoever dare mess with us)?

Quote:

Hello All,

Here is one of the PAK which were seen at Lajes on June 22:

PAF F-16D block 52 #10805 is seen landing at Lajes field during a stop over during its delivery flight to Pakistan on June 22nd, 2010.

They were 3 of them (F16CJ 10902, F16DJ 10804 and F16DJ 10805). I hope to see more around here, they are some beautiful F16's!!
The 3 departed Lajes on June 24, anyone knows where was their destination before reach Pakistan on June 26?

Kind Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

I see you really are the photographer Very Happy

. Thanks for sharing. Did you catch one of F-16CJ "10902" ? It was very beautiful, especially with the golden canopy.

@thunderboypt, can you upload a few more photos of our f-16s during their short stay in portugal??? their other stop was somewhere in turkey.

pakviper wrote:

@thunderboypt, can you upload a few more photos of our f-16s during their short stay in portugal??? their other stop was somewhere in turkey.

Hi!

I will try to upload the other ones later this Summer. Thankyou for the info about the other stop.

yasirbhojani wrote:

...Did you catch one of F-16CJ "10902" ? It was very beautiful, especially with the golden canopy.

yeap, I got it! It is beautiful indeed!! Also we were very lucky with the light conditions on the afternoon they arrived.

Kind Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

Quote:

yeap, I got it! It is beautiful indeed!! Also we were very lucky with the light conditions on the afternoon they arrived.

Kind Regards,
Leandro Rocha.

WOW!!!. That's good news, can't get enough of F-16C Blcok 52+ (H), its sooo cool, oh man, I am so excited. The greenry behind really enhances the beauty of these birds. You've already made up my day. Thanks a lot buddy for taking pics of these vipers.

pakviper wrote:

As we have been hearing that there are strings attached to these block 52s and possibly our entire AM fleet by the US government, for not allowing to use any of the f-16s incase of a war breaking out with india, is that true??? cos our air chief said clearly infront of US military's top brass and diplomatic personnel at shahbaz that quote " we can and will use these new and upgraded f-16s for both internal and external threats(india/afghanistan, and whosoever dare mess with us)?

Pakistan is free to use the F16's as it pleases, yes. However, the consequences may deter it from doing so. According to one of my sources, the F16's don't have a "kill switch". It's not like they fly out of Pakistan and they're shut off. The strings are to not use them offensively, not to use them to deliver nukes or leave the country without informing the US. Nukes, well let's just leave that one alone.

The one that had critics in all sorts of tangles was the the one to not use them offensively. But again "offense" is subject to interpretation. So inserting this word in the contract makes everyone look good including the critics (IE Indian lobby). However, the best form of defense is...". Additionally consequences are only there if they are enforced. Pakistan has had consequences for developing nukes and there are arguments whether Pakistan benefitted from the sanctions or not. No major arms purchases were done other than Agosta Submarines from France but nearly all other acquisition(s) by Pakistan armed forces had some element of transfer of technology or local development/production. Al-Khalid MBT Tanks and the JF-17 Thunder are examples. In the end the powers to be in Pakistan will have to decide whether it's in their interest to breach a contract in order to defend the country or not. (my 2 cents).

"The americans had an issue even with our old block-15s, when we took them to turkey for participation in anatolian eagle on several occasions!"........no problem our mirages and jf-17s can be modified to carry a nuclear warhead, mirages are best suited for deep-strikes.

@karachikid, now everthing is crystal clear, given the fact that we'll have 32block 52s by end of next year, and all of our MLU'D block-15s too, the heart and soul with which our pilots fly the vipers, indians will have this situation too hot to handle. doesnt really matter that they have mig-29s, or sukhois, Pakistani pilots are world's best in close-in air combat. f-16s can turn on a dime, literally! with advanced
apg-68(v9) radars, and bvr-missles, we'll give the indians a run for their money, if at all God forbid need be"

Forum: F-16 News

PAF to receive F-16 Block-52 aircraft