The JF-17 thunder jet fighter is likely to be PAF’s front line combat aircraft for decades to come. Many other countries around the world are keen to testing and buying Joint Fighter JF-17 Thunder fighter jet for their air forces. Developed and manufactured jointly by Pakistan and China, this well designed fighter aircraft has been show cased at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom, at the Dubai aircraft exhibition and air show and twice in China’s International Air Show held biannually in Zhuhai in PRC.
On Sunday May 26, 2013 Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan the Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex -PAC at Kamra told China Daily that, “The PAC had been getting inquiries and expression of interests from countries in the Middle East, Africa and South America.”
I had visited Kamra in April 2013, on the invitation of Chairman PAC, and visited the JF-17 Thunder Factory and some other factories engaged in the design and manufacture of components for the JF-17 Thunder and other aircraft. I was impressed that hundreds of highly qualified engineers and technicians, most of them PhD’s from Universities in the US, UK. China and Europe were working on the JF-17 Thunder program along with engineers and technicians from the People’s Republic of China. Seeing and meeting the unassuming professionals at the PAC, I am convinced the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra is one of the foremost center of excellence in Pakistan.
JF-17 Thunder or the Fierce Dragon as it is known in China is a fourth generation multi-purpose combat jet fighter co-developed and jointly manufactured by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is manufacturing and maintaining J-17 Thunder jet for the Pakistan Air Force. Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan a GD fighter pilot has been engaged in the redesign of the cockpit, which has advanced features like the F-16 Falcon fighter. While sitting in the cockpit, I felt that the JF-17 Thunder is a dream aircraft for the PAF because of the easy to operate controls and the advanced instrumentation. “The JF 17 is an extremely versatile and capable aircraft and its maneuverability and avionics are excellent. Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan with thousands of flying hours on the F-16, JF-17 Thunder and other fighter jets on the PAF inventory is committed to the high standard of production and testing on the ground and in the air, before the JF-17 Thunder fighter is rolled out of the factory for squadron service.
Chairman PAC Kamra proudly stated that, “during my foreign visits almost every one asked me detailed questions about the capabilities and possibility for the purchase of the aircraft and spares supply for their air forces. Many countries want to join the project with the plans for long term cooperation.”
During my visit to PAC Kamra I met number of highly experienced officers associated with the JF-17 Thunder project. Air Vice Marshal Javed Ahmed Chief Director of the JF-17 Thunder project rightly asserted that, “the JF-17 is one of our top performing lightweight fighter,” compared to any advanced fighter in the best air forces of the world. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex has produced and supplied more than forty JF-17 Thunder jets to the Pakistan Air Force. The collaboration with China has taken a new direction and engineers, and technicians from the two countries are focusing on upgrading the avionics and weapon systems. It is worth mentioning that PAC Kamra is also engaged in the research and development of fifth generation fighter aircraft.
Pakistan Air Force had announced that six PAF JF-17 Thunder fighters escorted the Boeing 747 with Prime Minister Li Keqiang on board who arrived in Islamabad on May 22 for a three day visit.
In a telephonic interview with China Daily Wing Commander Ronald Afzal, commanding officer of No 16 PAF fighter squadron had proudly stated that, “It is a great honor for us that our JF-17 Thunder jets were selected to welcome Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. I had hand picked my best pilots and trained them intensively on escort formation at high and low altitude. One week before the arrival the selected pilots had become highly proficient for their assigned duty”. Mr. Yang Wei the chief designer of the JF-17 Thunder at Aviation Industry Corporation of China proudly remarked, “We feel privileged to see our planes undertake such honorable mission, and are happy that the Pakistan Air Force chose the JF-17 Thunder to welcome our Prime Minister, partly because it has lot of Chinese elements”. The PAF is satisfied with the performance and reliability of the JF-17 Thunder fighter. One hundred and fifty JF-17 Thunders are being procured by the PAF during the first phase. The numbers are likely to be increased as the old Mirage fighters are phased out. Yang’s team of designers and aviation engineers will join hands with their Pakistani counterparts to develop future improved versions with stealth and air to air refueling capabilities.
