ISLAMABAD – The top of the line stealth fighter jets like F-22 Raptors, F35Lightning II, and Chengdu J-20 are dream additions to any country’sarsenal, and Pakistan is hoping to follow the footsteps of the mostadvanced Air Forces in the world.
Under the ambitious Project Azm which started in 2017, Pakistan is workingon its very own Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Jet program to keep withthe rapid advancements in the defense and avionics industry across theglobe. The project also includes the development of advanced weapon systemsand MALE UAVs.——————————
According to the Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production’s (MoDP) yearbookfor 2017-2018, the first of four cycles of conceptual design phase has beencompleted by the Aviation Research, Innovation, and Development (AvRID)Secretariat.
The first configuration that was designed based on the challengingperformance requirements of PAF will go through three more cycles withinthe conceptual design using higher fidelity analysis tools and codes.
In an interview with a defense publication, Jane’s Defense Weekly, AirChief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan told that he doesn’t expect the stealthjet to be operational for another decade. The possible concept/design ofthe fifth-generation fighter first appeared in the form of a tail art onPAF’s C-130B, participating in RIAT 2019.Via Twitter@DefencedotPak
Read Top Stories
According to defense analysts, the platform will be a successor to F-16A/BBlock-15s, Mirage III and Mirage 5 with better range and payload carryingcapacity compared to JF-17 Thunder jets and ‘optimized for offensivecounter-air (OCA), maritime, and deep-strike platforms’.
The Air Staff Requirements (ASR) for the platform depict it as a“twin-engine single-seater, boasting the likes of super-cruise and laserweapons (directed energy weapons).”——————————
Some reports have it that China is also likely to share its Chengdu J-22technology with Pakistan, however, these are all based on speculationsconsidering the two countries haven’t shared any details on the possibility.
