This weekly analysis article will encompass four different topics, each of which is an update to an ongoing procurement program of the Pakistani armed forces. The purpose of this format is to keep Quwa Premium readers abreast of recent factors affecting Pakistani programs, such as deliveries and contractual changes. In addition, the procurement updates will be linked to Pakistan’s overarching modernization objectives.
Aselsan ASELPOD Targeting Pod
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been taking delivery of Aselsan ASELPOD advanced targeting pods from Turkey. Pakistan made a $24.9 million U.S. order for eight pods in June 2016. The first shipment was made on 26 November 2016, with the second and third occurring on 16 September 2017 and 02 February 2018, respectively.[1] The following chart measures the shipment in weight, i.e. kg (disregard the ‘tons’ measure).
With each ASELPOD weighing 240 kg, it appears that Pakistan has received five ASELPODs (i.e. two in 2016, one in 2017 and two in 2018). The PAF procured the ASELPOD to equip its mainstay fighter – the JF-17 – with precision-strike capabilities, such as guiding laser-guided bombs (LGB) through the ASELPOD’s laser-designator/targeting system. The ASELPOD can also be used for electro-optical-based reconnaissance.
Aselsan ASELPOD Deliveries to Pakistan
The decision to equip the JF-17 with the ASELPOD came following the PAF’s failure to buy eight Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block-52+ from the U.S. The PAF had tied the acquisition as part of its counterinsurgency (COIN) efforts, hence requesting Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to partly subsidize the purchase.[2] In lieu of the F-16s, the Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Administration) of the PAF, Air Marshal Muhammad Ashfaque Arain, told Reuters that the PAF will rely on the JF-17 for COIN operations.[3] Currently, only eight ASELPODs are on order, though the PAF may procure more once the JF-17 integration process is complete. In fact, Aselsan confirmed in November 2016 that talks for additional targeting pods were underway.[4]
Air Marshal Arain had identified the Thales Damocles as the leading option. It is not known if there was an actual competition for targeting pods, but Aselsan getting the contract represents a major element of Pakistan’s procurement in 2016 – i.e. Turkey becoming a source for defence hardware, including systems that it has trouble procuring from the U.S. or Europe (such as targeting pods for the JF-17). Aselsan is also expanding its footprint with the Pakistan Navy, having secured a subsystem contract for electronic support measures (ESM) systems for the Agosta 90B mid-life-upgrade program.[5]
In-Flight Refueling (IFR)-capable JF-17s
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