Russian 'no' delays Pak. fighter plane project

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 8. Plans of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to acquire and build state-of-the-art fighter plane, Super-7, in collaboration with China, is believed to have run into rough weather following the Russian Government's decision of not supplying the engine.

According to diplomatic sources here, Russia had initially agreed to supply the engine but withdrew the offer a few months ago. As China does not have the capability to build a similar engine, the crucial project is likely to suffer a delay.

Pakistan is eager to acquire the fighter aircraft early to replace its entire fleet of ageing F-6, F-7, A-5 and Mirages. The need has become all the more acute after the United States decided to stop the supply of F-16 aircraft under the Pressler amendment.

The China Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) first conceived the Super-7 project in 1992. It later invited PAF to invest in the design development as Pakistan was looking for alternatives for its ageing military aircraft. These aircraft, according to a recently released official PAF book, The Story of the Pakistan Air Force, were lined up for replacement in this decade as they progressively turned obsolete.

As per the project profile, the S-7 aircraft, designed to be a multi-role light weight day and night fighter to attack ground targets, ships and enemy aircraft from considerable range would be fitted with MiG-29 engines to be supplied by Mikoyan Design Bureau of Russia.

The project was approved by the former Prime Minister, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, in 1995, and the MoU was signed by Mr. Nawaz Sharif during his visit to China in 1999.

As per the initial understanding, Russia had agreed to supply over 100 engines for the S-7 project.

However, it is not yet known whether the Russians have supplied any MiG-29 engines for experimental purposes, which could enable the Chinese to develop an equivalent in the coming years.

Hopes of the project were kept alive till February this year when the PAF Chief, Air Vice-Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, visited China.

Before his much-publicised visit, media reports quoted top Pakistan officials as saying that he was expected to finalise the modalities for the S-7 project.

But later reports suggest that all he could discuss was the induction of FC-1, which according to PAF's official book, has Chinese avionics and weapons.

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