Air Chief visits Farnborough Air Show

 

JF-17 unveiled for the first time

 

Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman has said that the Co-development and co-production of JF-17 Thunder Aircraft by Pakistan and China is a success story and the two countries will continue cooperation in the field of Aviations in future as well.

 

He was speaking on the occasion of Farnborough Air Show 2010, today. Pakistan’s two JF-17 Thunder fighter planes are participating in the show. The aircraft has been co-developed and co-produced by Pakistan Air Force and China Aviation Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).

 

Pakistan Air Force delegation is headed by Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Arif, SI(M), S.Bt. The two aircraft have been flown to the UK by Wing Commander Khalid and Sqnldr. Leader Azkaar. Chief of Air Staff is currently visiting UK on the invitation of Royal Air Force. The air Chief held meetings with the President CATIC   Mr. Li Yu Hai and Vice President Aviation Industry of China (AVIC) Mr. Li Yu Hai and visited joint Stall setup by CATIC and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and signed the visitor’s book.

 

Pakistan Air Force and CATIC have co-developed and co-produced the ‘JF-17 Thunder’ aircraft which is being unveiled for the first time at the Farnborough Air Show. The JF-17 Thunder is an all weather, multi-role, light combat aircraft. Its design is based on modern concepts of aerodynamics and is equipped with hybrid fly-by-wire flight control system. The aircraft has a full glass cockpit, excellent man-machine interface and modern self-protection suite, which gives it a good combat potential and ensures its survivability in high threat combat environments. The aircraft is equipped with fourth generation avionics systems, wide range of conventional/smart weapons. Beyond Visual Range & short range air-to-air missiles, and air-to-surface missiles, the aircraft also has a remarkably short take-off/landing distance that gives it the flexibility to operate from short airfields. Shortly, the aircraft will also have the air-to-air refuelling capability which will further enhance its combat potential and employment options.

 

First proto type of the JF-17 aircraft flew in September, 2003. After flight testing, a Small Batch of 08 aircraft was produced in year 2007 and finally serial production of the aircraft was started in Pakistan in the year 2009; so far 16 aircraft have been produced. The JF-17 aircraft will be produced in blocks of 50 aircraft each where every succeeding block would be an upgraded version of the preceding block. Pakistan’s share in co-production of the airframe of JF-17 aircraft would be more than 50%. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, has the capacity to roll-out 15-25 aircraft per year.

 

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and CATIC  are proud to offer a cost-defective, highly potent, multi-role combat aircraft which is capable of meeting the challenges of present and future warfare.

July 19, 2010

 

 

Last updated: 20 July 2010