Pakistan is to purchase 36 J-10 fighter aircraft from China in a deal worth more than USD 1.4 billio

www.zeenews.com...

"Islamabad: In a major move to boost its air warfare capability, Pakistan is to purchase 36 J-10 fighter aircraft from China in a deal worth more than USD 1.4 billion, with options open for induction of more similar aircraft.

China will supply the 36 J-10 fighter jets, enough to equip two squadrons, under a preliminary agreement that could lead to "more sales", a Pakistani official has said.

Pakistan might buy "larger numbers" of the multi-role aircraft in the future but has not signed any deal to purchase as many as 150 jets, the official told the Financial Times.

The J-10 or Jian 10 is China's most advanced combat aircraft and is the third generation fighter comparable to American F-16 Fighting Falcons. "

Seems like India believes this is a buildup for an attack from both sides.
Things continue to get more tense over there.....

This still leaves Pakistan WAY below India's military capability.

It is interesting they are purchasing them from China, a enemy of India.

Does that mean that China would use hostilities between India and Pakistan as an opportunity to attack India, I mean defend Pakistan?

[edit on 11/13/2009 by mrmonsoon]

For comparison and information ..

Chengdu Jian 10 (J10) or "Fighter 10" Specs

Technical Specifications J-10A

Powerplant: one 122.58 kN (27,557 lb st) Lyulka-Saturn AL-31FN afterburning turbofan or equivalent Chinese-produced WS-10A turbofan.

Dimensions: length 15.50m; height ?; wing span 9.70m; wing area 39sqm

Weights: empty 8,300 kg; Max Take-Off Weight 18,000 kg

Performance:

Armament: one internal 23mm cannon; up to 4500 kg (9,920lb) of ordnance including PL-8, PL-11, PL-12 (SD-10), R-73, R-77 air-to-air missiles, free-fall and guided bombs, YJ-8K ASM, YJ-9 ARM, unguided rockets, auxiliary fuel tanks, carried on up to 11 external stations.

F-16 Fighting Falcon Specs

Length 49.3 ft / 15.03 m
Height 16.7 ft / 5.09 m
Wingspan 32.8 ft / 10.0 m
Wing area 300 sq ft / 27.87 sq m
Weight empty 20,300 lb / 9,207.9 kg
Maximum take-off weight 48,000 lb / 21,772 kg
Internal fuel 5,920 lb / 2,685.2 kg
Speed 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)
Range 1,740 n. mi
Power plant One Pratt & Whitney
F100-PW-200/220/229 or
One General Electric
F110-GE-100/129

Engine thrust F110-GE-129 29,500 lb
F100-PW-229 29,100 lb

Originally posted by mrmonsoon
This still leaves Pakistan WAY below India's military capability.

It is interesting they are purchasing them from China, a enemy of India.

Does that mean that China would use hostilities between India and Pakistan as an opportunity to attack India, I mean defend Pakistan?

[edit on 11/13/2009 by mrmonsoon]

As I have touched on many times, there is a LOT of tension between China and India right now. And Pakistan is afraid that India wants to attack them.

reply to post by captaintyinknots


Boy wouldn't that be ironic: if Pakistan were to purchase Chinese fighters made with stolen U.S. technolgy and paid for by U.S. Taxpayer foreign aid. Talk about getting ******** without even a thank you.