PAF gets six JF-17 Thunder aircraft

[tigershark]

PAF gets six JF-17 Thunder aircraft
ISLAMABAD, March 14: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has received another six JF-17 Thunder aircraft from China. Two such aircraft were received earlier.

According to an official announcement, the aircraft have been inducted into the PAF for test and evaluation flight at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra.

Four of the aircraft will participate in the Pakistan Day fly-past on March 23.

JF-17 Thunder aircraft is an advanced multi-role light combat aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan under a strategic collaboration project.

The aircraft is designed to be cost-effective and can meet the tactical and strategic needs of the PAF.

A source in the PAF told Dawn that the serial production of JF-17 Thunder has already started and the production capacity would be gradually taken to 25 aircraft per year by 2011.

He said that about 60 per cent of the aircraft’s frame and 80 per cent of its avionics would be manufactured in Pakistan by 2010.

He said the first 50 aircraft would have avionics of Chinese origin while the next batch would be fitted with indigenously-developed avionics and European radars.

Pakistan had begun negotiations with British and Italian defence firms over potential avionics and other systems for JF-17.

He said the PAF would induct 150 aircraft into its inventory in the first phase, under an agreement with the Chinese company, and the total induction could go up to 250.

The JF-17 will replace Pakistan’s MiG-21-derived Chengdu F-7, Nanchang A-5 and Mirage III/V currently in service.

Azerbaijan and Zimbabwe have each placed orders as well. Nine other countries which have expressed interest in purchasing the JF-17 are Bangladesh, Myanmar, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Algeria.

Link
http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/15/top8.htm

[Webmaster]

If I remember correctly, these six were expected before the end of last year. So bit delayed. But still, I'm impressed with the way this project is moving forward.

[tigershark]

Webmaster
If I remember correctly, these six were expected before the end of last year. So bit delayed. But still, I'm impressed with the way this project is moving forward.

I am too and unlike India Pakistan is moving forward and not dragging there feet.  In a little under two years from Pakistan is really going to address the issue of replacing there J-7, Mirage III/V, and A-37, and doing it with a modern replacement.   Even if they don't get the French radar & missile combo the Chinese have come a long way with there equipment and weapons and would do fine.   Look for some systems, sub-systems, etc from early J-10 designs working there way into the JF-17/FC-1 type down the road.  A key to this whole program is China willing to go a little more public with the level of tech used.  Once that hurdle is crossed I see a possible large scale sales to Algeria, Sudan, and others.   Also I think part of the tech involved will be sold to Iran's aircraft industry, China's biggest oil supplier.  This way if Iran does get involved in a shooting war and the fighter doesn't perform well China won't lose face.  The Iran part is just me thinking out loud.

[Webmaster]

I guess the real delays will start with the second batch, when they start integration of Western avionics/weapons and local assembly. But I think the biggest liability is the Chinese coming up with their own engine for it, I don't have a lot of confidence in that.

Anyway, they also have plenty of F-16s on order.

A-37? I think you mean the A-5 (Q-5). The T-37s also need replacing, but that's another story (with also some great Chino-Paki opportunities).

Good times for the PAF. But I think those FC-20 plans are still a bit of daydreaming by the PAF, I don't think China is that keen on Pakistan inviting USAF over to investigate it... not yet...

Even if they don't get the French radar & missile combo

I'm not sure if France is still in the picture...? PAF will be able to buy Sidewinders and AMRAAMs for the F-16 fleet, so having British/Italian systems that are compatible with these weapons makes more sense. Plus, I don't know but, India might pressure France to not supply any BVRAAM or stand-off munitions to Pakistan... (remember the fuss about Pakistan possibly buying ex-Qatari M2000s)