SOURCE: AFI
In its latest edition, Air Forces Monthly (AFM), a renowned military aviation magazine published by Key Publishing Ltd in Stamford, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, has shed light on a critical limitation of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) JF-17 Block-III fighter jet.
The report highlights that the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar equipping the Block-III variant falls short in range, rendering it incapable of independently operating advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) like the PL-15 or the advanced variant of the PL-17.
The Block-III variant, introduced in recent years, represents a significant upgrade over its predecessors, featuring an AESA radar, improved avionics, and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. The integration of an AESA radar—believed to be Chinese KLJ-7A was intended to provide superior situational awareness, multi-target tracking, and resistance to jamming, positioning the JF-17 as a competitive 4.5-generation fighter in the region.
However, according to AFM, the radar’s range falls short of expectations for independently operating long-range BVRAAMs such as the Chinese PL-15, which boasts a reported range exceeding 150 km, or the advanced variant of the PL-17, which is speculated to have an even greater reach of up to 300 km. While these missiles are designed to engage targets at extended distances, the JF-17 Block-III’s AESA radar lacks the detection range to fully exploit their capabilities without external support. This limitation could hinder the aircraft’s effectiveness in long-range air-to-air engagements, particularly against adversaries equipped with advanced fighters and standoff weapons.
To compensate for the radar’s range constraints, the PAF will reportedly rely on datalink support from its fleet of Swedish Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS aircraft. The Erieye system, equipped with an AESA radar offering a detection range of up to 450 km, provides comprehensive situational awareness and can track multiple targets over vast distances. By integrating the JF-17 Block-III into a networked battlefield environment via datalink, the AWACS can relay target information to the fighter, effectively extending its engagement envelope beyond the limitations of its onboard radar.
This networked approach aligns with modern air warfare doctrines, where situational awareness and data-sharing are critical to mission success. The Saab 2000 Erieye, with its ability to detect and track targets at long ranges, can guide JF-17 pilots to engage adversaries with PL-15 or PL-17 missiles even when the targets are beyond the fighter’s own radar range. However, this reliance on external support introduces vulnerabilities, as the AWACS itself could become a high-priority target for enemy forces aiming to disrupt the PAF’s command and control network.
Moreover, the PAF’s reliance on networked warfare to maximize the JF-17’s potential could face challenges in contested environments. Adversaries with advanced electronic warfare capabilities might attempt to jam or disrupt datalinks, severing the connection between the AWACS and the fighters. Additionally, the limited number of AWACS platforms in the PAF’s inventory—currently believed to be 7 Saab 2000 Erieye and a few Chinese ZDK-03 Karakorum Eagle aircraft—means that coverage may not always be available across all operational theaters, particularly during large-scale or multi-front conflicts.
The JF-17 Block-III’s radar range limitation comes at a time when regional air forces are rapidly modernizing their fleets with advanced sensors and long-range weaponry. The Indian Air Force (IAF), for instance, operates fighters like the Rafale and Su-30 MKI, equipped with powerful AESA and mechanically scanned radars capable of detecting targets at extended ranges and employing long-range missiles like the Meteor and R-77. The IAF’s airborne early warning capabilities, bolstered by Israeli Phalcon AWACS and indigenous Netra AEW&C platforms, further enhance its ability to dominate the battlespace.
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