EDEX 2018: Egypt eyes JF-17 Thunder Block 3s
5th December 2018 - 16:50 GMT | by
Alan Warnes in Cairo
The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) is currently reviewing the progress of the PAC/Chengdu JF-17 Thunder.
At EDEX 2018 in Cairo,
Shephard has learnt that representatives from the EAF held a meeting with AVIC officials at Zhuhai Air Show in early November.
Officials were provided with a progress report on the more advanced
Block 3 version of the Pak-Sino fighter. The EAF requirement could be ‘for more than 100’ aircraft said the source.
Newer Block 3 versions will be boosted with a Chinese Airborne Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar as well as an integrated EW system and new avionics.
There are two Chinese contenders, after the Leonardo Grifo option was dropped. The Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology KLJ-7A is being marketed by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation.
The second one, is the Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute air-cooling LKF601E. Both were on display at Zhuhai. CATIC has thrown its weight behind the latter option and replacing the JF-17’s original KLJ-7 is simply a case of taking out the old system and inserting the new one.
Both radars are currently being evaluated by the Pakistan Air Force and a decision is expected by the end of the year.
In addition to an AESA radar, the JF-17s come with capabilities the EAF are keen to have like the Chinese SD-10A Beyond Visual Range air to air missile and C-802A anti-shipping weapon.
With around 100 of the second generation Chengdu F-7s and MiG-21s in EAF service edging towards the end of service life, the Block 3 JF-17 Thunder could be a good relatively inexpensive option.
Egypt and China have worked together extensively in the past, with their biggest project in recent times being the assembly of 120 K-8 Karakoram jet trainers at the Helwan Aircraft Factory between 2000-2010.
The 100+ JF-17 Thunders
flying with the Pakistan Air Force have now flown over 40,000 hours with six operational squadrons, so they are a mature system now.
They fulfil both an air-to-air and air-to-ground role and now have an air to air refuelling capability. The JF-17 Block 3s are expected start coming off the production line by the end of 2019 and be operational with the PAF in 2021.
Another attractive proposition for the EAF, is that the PAF will start building two-seater Block 3 versions by the end of 2020, which will fulfil both training and tactical roles.