Windjammer
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I saw a few guys claiming block 3 having a different design and hardpoints. That is not all the case.
JF-17 Block 3 is IDENTICAL to block 2 in almost all aspects externally.
The major differences include;
1) Revamped software to support and handle a variety of missions (ie. SEAD/DEAD)
2) New weapons such as PL-15, RAAD will be the highlights for block 3.
3) Improved engine performance. Turbines have been reworked to produce added thrust.
4) AESA radar (cannot disclose which one)
5) Turkish EW suite
6) Strengthened abdomen and wing roots to carry heavy weapons such as RAAD and PL-15s.
7) Recc pods will be fully operational.
8) Upgraded Link capability similar to F-16s. All JF-17s are able to communicate with SAAB's securely. Each JF-17 pilot would know what other JF-17 can see and what he is up to in a given mission. What are his fuel levels, what is the status of his weapons. It's a fully integrated system just like F-16's link 16 which Wg Cmdr Nouman Ali Khan leveraged to execute a mission beautifully.
In other words, IAF will be faced Block 52 category weapons systems that too in mass numbers in just 5 years from now. Production of Block 2 is slowing down and Block 3 will be produced from February 2020 at PAC.
The first two Block 3's are currently undergoing FCFs (functional check flights) and are expected to join PAF in February 2020.
On the export side, 08 Block 2's are to be delivered to Nigeria in 2020. Qatar and Malaysia are eyeing for Block 3.
In a nutshell, JF-17 program has been a blessing for Pakistan Air Force. Its only a matter of time when we will have access to EU hardware. The Block 4 is already on the charts and it will be nothing short of a Rafale as far as current plans are concerned.
I would be shitting my pants if I was IAF.
@waz @Windjammer @The Eagle @Trailer23 @Imran Khan
A few days earlier, a source did reveal that people expecting to see any drastic changes on Block-3 will be disappointed as most of the changes or improvements are internal.....another thing mentioned was that there is supposedly just ONE extra hard point. ??