- PAF chief says Pakistan in talks with US to procure latest F-16 jets
The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) on Monday rolled out the 16th Block 2 JF-17 aircraft and formally handed it over to the Pakistan Air force (PAF), marking the completion of four squadrons.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman attended the ceremony, with Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain attending as the chief guest.
Hussain reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment towards promoting self-reliance in defence production and thanked the government of China for its unrelenting support.
“I appreciate the vital role played by our time-tested Chinese friends for the success of the JF-17 program. Their support of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra and so many other projects is cherished and highly valued by every Pakistani,” Hussain said.
The Chief of Air Staff expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the JF-17 programme.
He praised the professional competence and commitment displayed by PAC personnel in meeting the milestones of the JF-17 programme and urged them to continue their best efforts in pursuit of excellence.
PAC Kamra is responsible for the maintenance of all PAF operational assets.
In 2010, the Chief of the Air Staff at the time, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman had said the aircraft would be the mainstay of PAF’s operations, multiply its operational capacity and enable it to conduct day and night multi-role operations which had become imperative in the prevailing global and regional situation.
Talking to reporters after the rolling out ceremony, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said Pakistan is in negotiations with the United States to procure the latest F-16 fighter jets, but did not specify an exact number.
“We are in talks with US defence officials to get some latest F-16s but the deal may take some time,” the PAF chief said.
The air chief said by the year 2020, Pakistan Air Force will say “goodbye to some of its old fighter jets including the Mirage”.
He expressed satisfaction over the production and quality level of the JF-17 Thunder and said it is at par with the F-16 in terms of performance and operations.