WASHINGTON: PAF had announced on 7th May that it had shot 3 IAF-operated Rafales down using Chinese J-10Cs, bad news for India is that (on the basis of 2022 maintenance deal) USA has approved on 13th Dec, sale of $686 million worth of advanced technology to upgrade the 70-80 F-16 jets in the fleet of Pakistan.
While Rafale was present at the June’s Paris Air Show, China only brought models ofJ-10. Le Bourget Airport was the venue where week-long 55th edition of Paris Air Show was officially opened by French Prime Minister François Bayrou on 16th June.
President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron visited the event on 20th June. He also visited Paris Space Hub. 2200 accredited journalists converged from 67 countries at the Media Center to report the world’s largest biennial rendezvous of Aviation and Space Industry.
When Pakistan Air Force reported it had shot down three Indian-Air-Force-operated Rafales, aficionados were expecting the debut of Chinese fighter jets. But in the absence of Chinese hardware, Rafale flew high at the at the 55th Paris Air Show.
Impressive Rafale pavilion harbored models of its avion mentioning the countries operating them. Enthusiasts were provided an opportunity to experience the sensation of operating the French Jet by means of simulators.
China opted to display mock-up of J-10 along with the maquettes of JF-17 thunder and other products. When Newspakistan.tv asked the officials of AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group, they pointed towards challenges of transporting jets. Since J-10 became famous on 7th May, logistically and administratively it could not have been inducted in the défilé aerien.
300,000, including 300 official delegations, from all over the globe visited the 55th Paris Air Show that attracted 2400 exhibitors from 48 countries. 155 aircraft were presented at the static display while 174 aerial demonstrations were performed.
Manufacturers of civil and military aircraft use Paris Air Show as a platform to disclose purchase orders, after months of negotiations. Airbus signed orders worth 21 billion US dollars as Boeing decided not to announce any agreement following crash of Air India-operated 787 Dreamliner on 12th May.
Overall, 600 aircraft were sold. Traditionally, for decades, Paris Air Show focused on Commercial Aircraft, but during the 55th Salon du Bourget 45% o the concentration was on military hardware as European countries have now opted to augment the defence budget and stop relying on others.
French Govt had ordered Israeli defence companies to remove offensive weapons from their static display. But since they failed to obey, organizers placed black panels to block their stands harboring military hardware. PM François Byrou justified the move by citing his country’s diplomatic choices and great concerns about Gaza.
Newspakistan.tv
