New batch of 16 JF-17 Thunder fighters inducted in Pakistan Air Force | World Defense

New batch of 16 JF-17 Thunder fighters inducted in Pakistan Air Force

BLACKEAGLE

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New batch of 16 JF-17 Thunder fighters inducted in Pakistan Air Force

A fresh batch of 16 upgraded JF-17 Thunder aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, was yesterday inducted into the Pakistan Air Force. The command flag of the fighter and surveillance aircraft was handed over to Squadron-II of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) by the country's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra.

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Pakistan Air Force inducted 16 new JF-17 Thunder fighter jets yesterday

The PAF completed its target of producing 16 JF-17 Thunder aircraft for the year 2015 and the ceremony today marked their induction into the force. The upgraded models which were added to the PAF fleet today have advanced avionics, air-to-air refueling capability, data link, enhanced electronic warfare capability and enhanced load carrying ability.

Pakistan's Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said the addition of the JF-17 aircraft built at Kamra airbase with the support of China would strengthen the tactical and surveillance capabilities of the PAF.
He said PAF is well prepared to fight any threat against the state. The PAF has been assisting the ground troops in operation Zarb-e-Azb as well, Mr Aman said. Mr Aman also expressed Pakistan's resolve to produce up to 24 jets in 2016.

The PAC JF-17 Thunder is a light-weight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the Pakistan Air Force, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) of China.

The JF-17 is powered by a single Russian RD-93 turbofan engine, which is a variant of the RD-33 engine used on the Mig-29 fighter.
New batch of 16 JF-17 Thunder fighters inducted in Pakistan Air Force
 

Lieutenant

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I would want to see how the JF-17 would actually outperforms the F-16 as claimed by Pakistan and China. Good upgrade. Any idea on the next block? Would it ever have the AESA radar? Pakistan has put a lot in this project but so far not a single country has expressed interest to the Thunder.
 

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Useless program. Pakistan should look of an alternative now since India has just signed a deal for 36 Rafale.
 

Gasoline

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JF-17 is very helpless against the more advanced fighters that will enter the service in India like the Rafales. The gap between Pakistan and India is getting bigger. Pakistan should get out of JF-17 project and work alongside with China on something bigger. Like the J-31 project or even the J-21. Since it's already has a good industrial base, it's better for their future not wasting time on the Thunder.
 

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What timing considering the acusation that India is trying to destabalise Pakistan.
I wonder if China will sell ground to air missiles to India, get paid by both sides ;)
 

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I have this sneaky feeling that the fighter is being test run in the battlefields of the northern frontier. It is a commendable step economically speaking since technology transfer and a homegrown defense industry makes tremendous sense over repeated arms purchases. Hidden behind the launch is a raging arms race in the subcontinent which is awash with the latest weapons from defense industries of various countries in the First World. A deescalation is needed in order to concentrate on the clear and present danger of terrorism, jihadi groups and the safety of nuclear stockpiles.
 
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