JF-17 Thunder handed over to PAF
Monday, 23 Nov, 2009 12:57 pm
ISLAMABAD : The first state of the art JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter plane, produced in Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra, has been handed over to Pakistan Air force on Monday.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani inaugurated the roll out ceremony of Pakistan-made fighter aircraft JF-17 Thunder at Kamra and formally handed over fighter plane to Pakistan Air Force.
Pakistan formally rejoicing its joining the fighter aircraft manufacturers club today on roll out of first multi-role state-of-the art aircraft being crafted with the help of evergreen friend China.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was the chief guest at the rolling out which held at the mother industry - Pakistan Aeronautical Complex - of JF-17 Thunder at Kamra.
This will kick start a new era in Pak-China relationship, and aviation industry, Gilani said, adding that PAF has played significant role in countrys defence and the war against terror as well.
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman and Chinese ambassador were also present in the ceremony.
Both China as well as PAF attaches a lot of importance to this project which is materializing after hectic and laborious efforts, spanning over almost a decade.
The PAC has generated all the capability to produce the aircraft locally for its onward delivery to PAF besides materializing purchase orders from abroad as export.
The JF-17 Thunder a new generation, light-weight, all weather, day/night multi-role fighter aircraft with glass cockpit, hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls and efficient man-machine interface will ensure a minimal pilot workload.
The maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and a high thrust-to-weight ratio will enable it to perform well in an air defence role. An ability to carry short - as well as long-range air-to-air missiles, lends the aircraft a first shot capability of conventional as well as non-conventional arsenal.
In the surface attack role, a variety of weapons - conventional as well as precision-guided, a sophisticated avionics suite along with accurate weapon delivery system, ensure higher mission success rate.
An effective ECM suite will greatly enhance survivability of the platform. Its anticipated air-to-air refuelling capability will provide the JF-17 with more loiter time to safeguard the frontiers and the ability to deliver the required punch at distance. It will replace the ageing fleets of A-5s, F-7Ps and the Mirages in the PAF inventory thus fulfiling a multi-role task.
In addition to that the PAC would also be able to export its surplus production in the days to come as the aircraft has received acclaims from the user like PAF.
AAJ TV : Pakistan Ki Awaz