The JF-17 Thunder aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is among the over one hundred aircrafts that have arrived at Zhuhai to participate in the 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Air Show 2012) which kicked off on Wednesday.
The impressive JF-17 Thunder which was manufactured in a joint venture by PAF and China Aero-Technology Import-Export Corporation (CATIC) and co-produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and CATIC has been put up for static as well as aerial display at the show.
JF-17 Thunder made its debut at Farnborough, United Kingdom in 2010, when two JF-17’s flew all the way from Pakistan to Farnborough. The aircraft attracted intense focus of visitors and international media.
Four months later in November, 2010, three JF-17s flew over to China to participate in the Zhuhai Air Show, where the aircraft made its first ever aerobatic display.
In June, 2011, three JF-17s participated in an aerial and static display when the Turkish Air Force celebrated its 100 years.
In November, 2011 three JF-17s participated in the Dubai Air Show and were awarded the Stars of the Show award.
JF-17 Thunder is prominent in its own class of fighter jets. At present, when Pakistan’s defence budget is shrinking and the Pakistan Air Force is facing difficulties in affording modern combat aircrafts, JF-17 Thunder is a highly cost effective solution with a cutting edge technology.
The JF-17 Thunder is all weather, multi-role and light weight combat aircraft that has the potential to be the mainstay and workhorse of any air force. The design of JF-17 aircraft is based on modern aerodynamics. The aircraft is equipped with a digital fly-by-wire flight control system that gives it the agility in all regimes of the operational flight envelope.
The JF-17 Thunder has a complete glass cockpit, excellent man-machine interface and a modern self protection suite which enhances combat potential and the survivability of the aircraft.
The JF-17 is equipped with a fourth generation avionics system, wide range of conventional and smart weapons, long range glide bombs, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) and short range air-to-air missiles, anti-ship missile and air–to-surface missiles. The aircraft requires a remarkably short length of runway for take-off and landing which offers flexibility during operations. The air-to-air refueling capability further enhances its combat potential.
Pakistan Air Force has inducted JF-17 in its combat fleet and has equipped two of its fighter squadrons with JF-17 Thunder. Its production is in full swing and aircrafts are rolling out from PAC Kamra.
A roar of Thunder over Chinese skies!
