PAF to get JF-17 Thunder today

Tanvir Siddiqi

Islamabad—The first state-of-the-art JF-17 Thunder lightweight multi-role combat aircraft indigenously built in Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra is being handed over to Pakistan Air force (PAF) today (Monday).

A special ceremony in this regard will be held at PAC complex Kamra.Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will be the chief guest at the rolling out of the bomber-cum-fighter plane. The Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said here on Sunday that the JF-17 Thunder a new generation, light-weight, all weather, day/night multi-role fighter aircraft is specific to Pakistan’s needs.

The maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and a high thrust-to-weight ratio will enable it to perform well in an air defence role. An ability to carry short - as well as long-range air-to-air missiles, lends the aircraft a first shot capability of conventional as well as non-conventional arsenal.

In the surface attack role, a variety of weapons - conventional as well as precision-guided, a sophisticated avionics suite along with accurate weapon delivery system, will ensure higher mission success rate. An effective ECM suite will greatly enhance survivability of the platform. Its anticipated air-to-air refueling capability will provide the JF-17 with more loiter time to safeguard the frontiers and the ability to deliver the required punch at distance.

It will replace the ageing fleets of A-5s, F-7Ps and the Mirages in the PAF inventory thus fulfilling a multi-role task. In addition to that the PAC would also be able to export its surplus production

www.pakobserver.net

Posted in: Fighter jet,JF-17,Pakistan