JF-17 Formally inducted in No 2 Squadron

[Windjammer]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1314196028608025

 

[mourning sage]

Where does that take the count of JF-17?

 

[Windjammer]

Where does that take the count of JF-17?

Close to three figures.

 

[LonE_WolF]

any pics available?

https://twitter.com/x/status/719533358422876161

 

[Burhan Wani]

Sounds good.

 

[Moonlight]

Watched the cermony a little on tv. It's always a pleasure to watch it. Pakistan!

 

[optimisticlad]

exact JFT in service please.....???

 

[PakShaheen79]

OK. Now We have Thunders in No.16, No.26. No.02. .... Apart from those with in CCS and Kamra. Right?

 

[mourning sage]

Close to three figures.

Something doesnt check out. Sources were previously quoting a figure of 25 jets per year. The last squadron was inducted less than a year ago. How come another squadron is ready this early?

 

[Windjammer]

JF-17 based in Masroor will have a dual role equipped with AShMs for maritime strike and BVR for air superiority.

 

[Blue Marlin]

JF-17 formally handed over to the PAF’s No. 2 squadron

The No. 2 squadron of Masroor Air Base is a fully active JF-17 squadron

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif formally handed over the JF-17 Thunder to the No. 2 (“Minhas”) fighter squadron at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Masroor. The squadron’s previous fighter was the Chengdu F-7P, which is a Chinese-built variant of the Russian MiG-21.

Although No. 2 had switched over to the JF-17 in September, the formal ceremony offers an opportunity to engage in a quick overview of the capability jump the JF-17 offers over the legacy F-7P. For detailed insights, be sure to review our background article on the JF-17 Thunder (here and here).

Including Combat Commanders School, the PAF now has four operational JF-17 squadrons (using a total of 66 aircraft). The induction of the JF-17 Thunder is a significant qualitative boost for Masroor Air Base and Southern Air Command.

First, the JF-17 is a markedly superior air defence fighter compared to the F-7P, particularly through its inclusion of the SD-10, an active radar-guided BVRAAM. This makes the JF-17 capable of engaging targets from a greater distance. Its close quarters element is fulfilled with the PL-5EII, a third-generation all-aspect WVRAAM.

Second, Masroor now benefits from a second anti-ship capable fighter platform. Until now, the task had been taken up by a sole Mirage 5PA squadron (No. 8) armed with French Exocet anti-ship missiles (AShM). No. 2’s JF-17s are capable of carrying Chinese C-802 AShM.

Third, the incorporation of the Link-17 tactical data-link as well as introduction of the Karakoram Eagle (KE) airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft gives Southern Air Command a good networked package.

The JF-17 can utilize the KE AEW&C’s extended range air surveillance capabilities to enhance its situational awareness of the air, affording it additional time and space to react to new threats. The Mirage ROSE-I unit at Masroor is also benefitting from Link-17.

At least some of No. 2’s JF-17s were from among Block-I production units (though it is not known if they have been upgraded to Block-II). Although not among the units equipped with in-flight refuelling (IFR) probes (which is to commence mid-way through the production of the Block-II), it is likely that Masroor will be equipped with IFR-capable JF-17s in the near future.

The utility of air-to-air refuelling (via the PAF’s IL-78s) would be the most useful over the vast maritime theatre of the region. Whether this occurs via the No. 2 squadron or by replacing another unit at the air base, that remains to be seen.

During the ceremony, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sohail Aman expressed his hopes to ramp-up the annual production-rate of the JF-17 to 24 aircraft in 2016. It will be interesting to see what squadrons are lined up to receive the JF-17 next.
@Quwa
JF-17 formally handed over to the PAF’s No. 2 squadron

 

[PDF]

JF-17 based in Masroor will have a dual role equipped with AShMs for maritime strike and BVR for air superiority.

What is our main suitable requirement? Multirole or AirSuperiority? Fighter?

 

[Nasir Jamil]

What are they gonna do the old planes?

 

[Quwa]

What are they gonna do the old planes?

Store for spare parts or attrition replacements

 

[Zarvan]

JF-17 inducted in multirole squadron

KARACHI: The JF-17 Thunder has been formally inducted in the prestigious No 2 Multirole Squadron of Pakistan Air Force. To mark the historic event, a ceremony was held at the PAF Base, Masroor, Karachi.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was the chief guest on the occasion, while Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, was also present.

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The air chief said that since its inception No 2 squadron has had commendable achievements to its credit. He paid tribute to Shuhada, veterans and predecessors of No 2 Squadron who displayed exceptional professionalism and valour.

“JF-17 Thunder is the pride of the PAF and the nation of Pakistan. It is proof of our abilities and a testament to our dedication and evidence of smooth progress on the road of indigenisation,” the air chief added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2016.

JF-17 inducted in multirole squadron - The Express Tribune