JF-17 Thunder Multi-role Fighter Aircraft

CAC / PAC Radio Interview – JF-17 / FC-1

Posted on June 1, 2011 by JF-17.com

Found this on twitter. Its a video obviously on JF-17 Thunder. Has comments from Pakistani and Chinese aviation / airforce officials involved in the project.

You can watch the video below:

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Alan Warnes: PAF Cancels JF-17 appearence at Paris Airshow

Posted on May 29, 2011 by JF-17.com

Alan Warnes, who used to be the editor of AFM has tweeted that JF-17s are not going to be performing at the Paris Airshow due to security concerns.

But they'll be at Izmir airshow in Turkey. Sherdils will not be performing at Izmir. Few weeks ago it was announced that JF-17s will be performing at the Paris airshow. This would have been JF-17's second appearance in western Europe and would have been the first that included the aerial display. JF-17's last trip west was to Farnborough, where the plane was showcased via static display. Other aircrafts expected to perform at the show included F-16 Falcons, F-15 Eagles, Sukhoi-30s and many more.

America's OBL raid has led to consequential revenge attacks on Pakistani civilians and armed forces by the terrorists. Over 100 people have been killed and millions of dollars worth of damages were incurred when two P3-C Orions were destroyed in an attack Pakistani Naval Base PNS Mehran in Karachi.

The increasing complexity in relations with America and deteriorating security situation has created a very fragile situation.

Pakistan and China also agreed to speed up the production of JF-17 Thunders. China would provide 50 upgraded JF-17s to Pakistan.

Pakistan is expected to have at-least 92 (42+50) JF-17s by the end of 2011.

This may or may not be connected to reports in some Indian media that France had put sale of heavy millitary hardware on hold as it tries to woo India to choose Rafale over Eurofighter in $10bn+ deal. It is to be noted that Pakistan currently is not purchasing any heavy military hardware from France. French defense minister insisted that they had requested Pakistan to not make any requests for purchase. Pakistan has also not shown serious interest in French hardware for a while. Chinese beat French in the race for avionics on JF-17 Thunders. The French connection to JFT participation is completely speculative at the moment.

An official statement from Pakistan Airforce has not been received.

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Round Up: 50 new JF-17 thunders.

Posted on May 22, 2011 by JF-17.com

Let us look a bit deeper than the usual news. 50 JF-17 thunders to Pakistan on ‘emergency’ basis flashed across the local Pakistani media. Online communities responded quickly with intense discussion on what exactly is the timeline behind the word ‘emergency’.

As is with the poor defense journalism in South Asia. We first heard that the 50 planes are going to be provided merely in weeks. That is very unrealistic. Only now some more believable time line is pouring out of the news. Pakistani defense minister Ahmad Mukthar has said 50 JFTs could take up to 6 months to be delivered. This sounds a lot more realistic, I would still take it with a little bit of caution.

The price of JF-17s have also moved into $20-25m range, up from $15-20m. These are the figures quoted by the defense minister while he was comparing the price with that of F-16 Falcons, which he mentioned was $80m a piece.

We have some news reports suggesting that the aircrafts will have upgraded avionics. Other sources in defense communities have added weight to this news as well. We do not yet know the exact nature of the upgrades nor are we 100% certain if there would be any upgrades at all.

It has also been reported that this batch is in addition to the current batch that is being assembled in Pakistan.

Pakistan air force will have atleast 80 JF-17 thunders by the end of this year. A significant boost to its strength.

All this news raises some questions:
1. What exactly are the avionics upgrades? We’ve heard about a newer radar from less than main-stream sources. Lets wait and watch. Is there going to be IRST?
2. JF-17s that are being assembled in Pakistan right now, will they include the avionics upgrades or will they maintain the present configuration?
3. Will the new JF-17s incorporate changes to reduce RCS? We’ve heard that stealthier version of JF-17 is under development. Is this it?
4. What are the other changes in the newer batch?

Your thoughts? feel free to correct me.

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China to supply 50 JF-17 Thunders to Pakistan on urgent basis.

Posted on May 18, 2011 by JF-17.com

Local news station GEO has just broad-casted (2 PM PS) that China will supply 50 JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighters to Pakistan on urgent basis. Details will be published as they become available.
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Updates:

China will give 50 JF-17 aircraft to Pakistan on emergency basis.