First Pakistan made JF-17 to fly by end of 2009: PAF Air Chief

Pictures are Courtesy BaburMissile, Saeed Khan & APP

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said that first Pakistan made JF-17 Thunder aircraft would fly in the country’s airspace by end of this year. He made this announcement while addressing the Graduation Ceremony of No 38 Combat Commanders’ Course which was held at Pakistan Air Force Base, Mushaf (Sargodha). In his address to the graduating Combat Commanders, he said, The JF-17 Thunder programme is on track. “We will start production of this aircraft from 30th of this month and Inshallah 1st Made in Pakistan JF-17 aircraft will fly in Pakistan's airspace by end of this year.” “PAF has extensively flown against the militants in Swat as well as in FATA. Application of airpower has brought about tangible results. This is a new type of warfare in which PAF has been participating for the first time during the last one year or so in support of Pakistan Army. We will continue our contribution towards our national security effort as long as it is required.” Referring to the challenges confronted the nation, he said ‘the challenges, both internal and external, that confront us today and our responses to these have to be viewed in the broader perspective of the changes that are shaping the geopolitical landscape of the world. Apart from the traditional hostile adversary, new frontiers of conflict have lately emerged for us in the West and from within. These developments pose a great deal of threat to our national security.” The Chief Guest awarded certificates and trophies to the graduating officers who underwent a strenuous and professionally demanding course. The Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for the best Combat Commander was awarded to Squadron Leader Haider Shahbaz Ali while Air Officer Commanding Air Defence Command Trophy for best Combat Controller was awarded to Squadron Leader Saquib Rehman. Earlier on his arrival, the Chief Guest was received by Air Commodore M Ashfaque Arain, Base Commander PAF Base, Mushaf. The ceremony was attended by Principal Staff Officers and field commanders of Pakistan Air Force.

UPDATE

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman inaugurated the final assembly work in a ceremony at Kamra. Top military and civilian officials of Pakistan and China attended, senior officers of Chinese company CATIC attended the ceremony. "The project was near to end in 1999 due to sanction imposed on Pakistan after the nuclear tests but in 2001 it was reviewed. The agreement in this respect could not be signed in 2007-08 due to unavailability of funds but Government of China arranged loans on soft installment and the role of CATIC Company in this respect is laudable", Qamar said. The project is supported by China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation for the Chinese side. Each individual aircraft is expected to have a fly-away cost of around US$8-15 million. On 22 January 2008, Pakistan started limited serial production of the aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra but on Tuesday full-fledged production of JF-17 has been started in PAC after completing testing and avionics evaluation. The JF-17 will replace Pakistan’s MiG-21-derived Chengdu F-7, Nanchang A-5 and Dassault Mirage III/Mirage V aircraft currently in service. JF-17 can be armed with up to 3,629 kg (8,000 lb) of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance, as well as other equipment. Pakistan, Rao Qamar said, we have eight JF-17 thunders and soon PAF would complete its squadron of JF-17 jets. The project has two aims one is to ensure national security and second is to strengthen Pakistan Aviation Industry, he said. We would also sell JF-17 thunders to other countries, he said while lauding the role of China in development of PAF. He hoped that the technician of PAF would come out to the expectation of nation by introducing the new technology. No comprise would be made on country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Rao Qamar said. Speaking at the occasion, Vice President CATIC Lei Pay said today is a historic day because dream is going to materialize. At end of this year, assembling and flying testing of 6 JF-17 thunders would be completed, he said. We are facing several challenges but the Chinese Government would continue to collaborate with Pakistan, he said. The project would boost the Sino-Pak friendship, he said. Addressing the ceremony, Chairman PAC Air Marshal Farhat Hussain said total 40 JF-17 thunders would be prepared in Kamra. 12 JF-17 thunders would be prepared by 2010, 15 to 20 by 2011 and after 2010 all the JF-17 would be prepared in Pakistan, he said. 85 percent work with regard to purchase of weapons and parts of JF-17 thunders have been completed and we would be able to complete the project at stimulated time", he said.

Posted in: Fighter jet,JF-17,Pakistan