DTN News - PAKISTAN DEFENSE NEWS: Pakistan Intent To Sell JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets To Sri Lanka

DTN News - PAKISTAN DEFENSE NEWS: Pakistan Intent To Sell JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets To Sri Lanka

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources The Nation
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - October 27, 2013: Pakistan’s strained economic condition puts to question the country’s capability to spend billions of rupees on the defence sector on the pretext of enhancing the defence exports and kicking off related strategic ventures.

The JF-17 was primarily developed to meet Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) requirement for an affordable, modern multi-role combat aircraft as a replacement for its large fleet of Dassault Mirage III/5 fighters, Nanchang A-5 bombers, and Chengdu F-7 interceptors. It was also to have export potential as a cost-effective and competitive alternative to significantly more expensive Western fighters.

In 1999, Pakistan and China signed the contract to jointly develop the FC-1/Super 7. Initial difficulties in acquiring an avionics and radar package from Europe led to many problems, solved in 2001, when design of the airframe was decoupled from the avionics. In 2003, the maiden flight of the first prototype occurred in China. The Pakistani designation "Super-7", meanwhile, were replaced with "JF-17". Later test flights with a modified design occurred in 2006. Deliveries to the PAF for further flight testing and evaluation began in 2007 and the aircraft's first public aerial display took place that year in Islamabad. The PAF officially inducted its first JF-17 squadron, No. 26 Squadron, on 18 February 2010 with fourteen aircraft.


The Block 1 JF-17 is expected to cost approximately US$ 15 million per unit, with Block 2 aircraft costing US$ 20–25 million. The PAF has a confirmed order for 150 JF-17s, which may increase to 250 aircraft

While the country grapples with worst kind of economic crises owing to crippled industry due to ever-rising inflation, increasing cost of industrial expenditures following massive hike in power tariff as well as security situation, billions of rupees are reportedly being pumped in the strategic projects without any accurate anticipation whether such kind of large-scale investment at the cost of public money would bear any fruit.

Some reports suggest that Pakistan intends to export sophisticated JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to certain countries by next year and $ 100 million (over 10 billion rupees) have been released in this regard. Interestingly, this reported amount is more than four times the size of funds allocated to Pakistan’s defence production sector (2.3 billion rupees) in this year’s fiscal budget. In the defence budget for the ongoing year, there is no mention of any prioritised project in the Defence Production Division suggesting the exports of JF-17 Thunder and the allocation of over Rs 10 billion for related expenses.

The budgetary allocations for defence and defence production sectors for the fiscal year 2013-14 suggest, of the Rs 627 billion defence budget, the Defence Division has received Rs 4.2 billion and the Defence Production Division, Rs 2.300 billion. Separately, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) have respectively got Rs 1.3 billion and Rs 5.8 billion. Pakistan Army has got Rs 310 billion in this year’s fiscal budget, which is almost 50 percent of the total defence budget for 2013-14. The PAF got Rs 131 billion that makes 21 percent of the Rs 627 billion defence budget while Pakistan Navy got Rs 63 billion, around 10 percent of the defence funds. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) got Rs 6.2 billion.

As many as 20 projects have been prioritised for which Rs 3.5 billion have been allocated while only two projects in the Defence Production Division have been prioritised with the allocation of Rs 2.3 billion.

Adding to the mystery shrouding reported plans for exporting JF-17 Thunder, the top government functionaries concerned have kept conspicuous mum over the issue. This correspondent called Rana Tanvir Hussain, Federal Minister for Defence Production thrice at his personal cell number on Friday to get his viewpoint on the issue but he did not speak. His personal assistant Muhammad Bilal said the minister was in a meeting with Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and was not available for comments.

Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, on contact, expressed inability to comment on the issue saying the matter was not known to him. “Frankly speaking, I haven’t heard of any such development. How can I say anything without having proper knowledge?”

The Secretary Defence Production Lieutenant General (r) Tanvir Tahir was called at his official landline number 051-9270930 but he, according to his staff, was not in the office.

Jointly manufactured by Aviation Industry Corp of China and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), JF-17 Thunder is originally a Chinese product, with the related technology shifted to Pakistan in the recent years.  Regarded as a third-generation multipurpose combat jet, the JF-17 Thunder, in technical terms, is known as FC-1 Fierce Dragon.

In an interview with a Chinese news agency in May this year, Chairman PAC Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan had claimed that several countries were interested in buying JF-17 Thunder from Pakistan. The PAC manufactured more than 40 JF-17 Thunder aircraft, he had said

The recent media reports claim Pakistan is to export five to seven JF-17 Thunder jets to the countries like Sri Lanka, Kuwait and Qatar and related deliberations are under way.

Requesting anonymity, a retired air marshal said, the manufacturing cost incurred on JF-17 Thunder is 1.5 billion to two billion rupees, roughly. “It needs to be determined whether there is a significant room for exporting this aircraft and earning profit after incurring such huge amount of money,” he said.   Pakistan’s current defence budget of Rs 627 billion has seen 15 percent surge compared to the last year’s defence budget of Rs 545 billion that was revised at Rs 570 billion.

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DTN News - PAKISTAN DEFENSE NEWS: Crashes Raise Concern About Pakistani Air Force

DTN News - PAKISTAN DEFENSE NEWS: Crashes Raise Concern About Pakistani Air Force

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Dawn
(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - December 17, 2012: Over a dozen Pakistani air force planes have crashed in roughly the past 18 months, raising concerns about the health of an aging fleet that officials are struggling to upgrade because of a lack of funds.

A significant number of the air force's combat aircraft are nearly half a century old and have been called on in recent years to help the army fight a domestic Taliban insurgency that has killed thousands of people. This has added to the strain on a force that has historically focused on countering the threat from Pakistan's neighbor and archenemy, India.

Pakistan has turned to the U.S. and China for help in modernizing its air force, but economic woes have strained the government's budget, even for the country's powerful military. Tension with the U.S. over a host of issues, including the covert raid that killed Osama bin Laden last year, also hasn't helped.

Shahzad Chaudhry, a former senior Pakistani air force officer, said the number of planes that have crashed "would be worrying for any air force."

"If I were air force chief, I certainly wouldn't want to see over a dozen airplanes being lost," said Chaudhry. "Obviously we need to bring those numbers down."

At least 13 planes have crashed since May 2011, many because of technical problems, according to a record maintained by The Associated Press. The air force did not respond to request for comment on the crashes.

The most recent accident occurred on Nov. 22, when a Dassault Mirage fighter jet crashed on a routine night training mission in central Punjab province, killing the pilot. The air force said at the time that it was investigating the cause of the crash, but eyewitnesses said the plane caught fire before it fell out of the sky.

Nearly half the planes that have crashed were decades-old Mirage fighters. They make up at least a quarter of the force's fleet of about 400 combat aircraft, according to the website GlobalSecurity.org. Many were built nearly 50 years ago and acquired from foreign militaries that had already retired them.

"We bought them at almost throw-away prices, brought them over, overhauled them and continue to operate them," said former Pakistani air force chief Tanvir Mahmood. "This was our compulsion because of the financial constraints that we had."

Chaudhry, the former senior air force officer, said the Mirage was a "very sturdy platform" that shouldn't fail easily.

"But when you have the intensity of an operational combat environment, problems tend to be there," said Chaudhry.

The crashes raise questions not only about the age of the aircraft, but also flight maintenance practices, said Sajad Haider, a celebrated former air force pilot who has written a book about the service.

Other planes that have gone down include the Chengdu F-7 fighter jet bought from China, the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet jointly developed with China and Pakistan's Mushshak trainer, a propeller plane.

The most advanced fighter jet operated by the Pakistani air force is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, over 60 of which were purchased in various batches from the U.S. over the past three decades.

U.S. military support came to a halt in the 1990s because of sanctions imposed on Pakistan over its nuclear program, but resumed in 2001 when Washington needed Islamabad's support to fight al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Military assistance largely dried up once again over the past two years because of renewed tensions between the two countries, although the U.S. did deliver more than a dozen new F-16s purchased by Pakistan.

One of the reasons Pakistan turned to China for help with its air force was the country's troubles with the U.S.

The government has purchased over 100 F-7 fighter jets from China, mostly in the 1980s, and has reportedly ordered more advanced FC-20 fighter jets in recent years. Pakistan is also domestically producing the JF-17 fighter jet, jointly developed with China, but it has not yet entered full service.

"The JF-17 program was pushed through during my tenure of office because we knew we couldn't live with these old Mirages and some of our old Chinese planes for too long," said Mahmood, who served as air force chief from 2006 to 2009.

The current head of the air force, Tahir Rafique Butt, told Pakistan's Senate defense committee at the end of November that the force was struggling to modernize its equipment and technology because of a shortage of funds, said the head of the committee, Mushahid Hussain.

While Pakistani military spending makes up about 20 percent of the government's budget, the air force is lower down the totem pole than the powerful army.

Hussain said the air force was doing the best with what it has, but the recent spate of crashes "was linked to use of technology that is fast becoming outmoded and obsolete."

"That reinforces the argument the air force was making to us about a lack of resources," said Hussain.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Dawn
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Pakistan Forges Ahead With New Fighters, Upgrades

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Pakistan Forges Ahead With New Fighters, Upgrades

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

by Greg

Waldron - Flight International

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 21, 2011:

Pakistan has inducted its new Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 52+ fighters, while its first two full-strength squadrons of Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 Thunders are also on the verge of becoming fully operational.

The Pakistan air force inducted 17 F-16 Block 52+ fighters into its 5 Sqn on 11 March, the service says. The final aircraft in the 18-unit deal is still in the USA undergoing testing and will arrive in another month.

Pakistan's new batch of aircraft comprises 12 single-seat C-model versions and six two-seat F-16Ds. The air force says it is also in negotiations with the USA for additional Block 52+ aircraft, with its original deal having contained an option for another 18.

Pakistan's new F-16s are powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-229 engines, with other systems understood to include Northrop Grumman's mechanically scanned APG-68(V)9 radar and ITT's ALQ-211(V)9 advanced integrated defensive electronic warfare suite.

A proposed weapons package outlined by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency in 2006 included 500 Raytheon AIM-120C5 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and 200 short-range AIM-9M-8/9 Sidewinders, plus 500 Boeing joint direct attack munitions, 1,600 enhanced GBU-12/24 laser-guided bombs and 700 BLU-109 penetrator bombs.

A mid-life upgrade of 34 F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft is also under way, with some being upgraded in Pakistan and some in Turkey. The project is likely to be completed next year, and will see the aircraft equipped with modern sensors and weapons.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's first full-strength squadron of 18 JF-17s is likely to become operational next month, with a second unit of the same strength likely to follow within two months.

At Air Show China in Zhuhai last November, Zeng Wen, vice-president of the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), said Pakistan had 50 firm orders for the JF-17, but could end up buying 200.

Pakistan will use the JF-17 to replace a number of types, such as the Chengdu F-7, Dassault Mirage III and Mirage 5 and the Nanchang A-5. All A-5s will be decommissioned by early April, says the Pakistan air force.

China and Pakistan jointly developed the JF-17. Pakistan began indigenous assembly in 2009, and could incorporate Western avionics, radars and other systems into the type from 2012.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

by Greg Waldron - Flight International

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DTN News: Chinese Military Assistance To Pakistan And Implications For India

DTN News: Chinese Military Assistance To Pakistan And Implications For India

Source: eurasiareview.com - 8/25/2010

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 25, 2010: Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan acknowledged that no relationship between two sovereign states is as unique and durable as that between Pakistan and China. Pakistan China relations started from 1950 when the former broke diplomatic ties with Republic of China and recognized Peoples Republic of China. With the passage of time relations between both the countries strengthened as they have India as a common enemy. Both the countries support each other on international issues too. China supports Pakistan on Kashmir issue while the later supports China on Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang issues. Hussain Haqqani a senior Pakistani diplomat pointed out that “For China, Pakistan is a low cost secondary deterrent to India while for Pakistan, China is a high value guarantor of security against India.” China also favours tension between India and Pakistan, as in this way India remains busy in South Asia region and it could not challenge China in international arena. Chinese Military aid to Pakistan Lisa Curtis of Heritage Foundation, a Washington based think tank, mentioned in an article that “Chinese policy towards Pakistan is driven primarily by its interest in countering Indian power in the region and diverting Indian military force and strategic attention away from China” China is the biggest arms supplier for Pakistan. For transfer of technology and know-how also Pakistan depends on China in a big way. China transferred 36 M9 ballistic missiles though it officially acknowledged it only in 1992.. From then on, the defence ties between the two nations have gone from strength to strength s later on China also supplied JF-17, F-7 aircraft and different kinds of small arms and ammunition to Pakistan. Pakistan’s 70 percent of armed forces aircraft and Main battle Tanks (MBT) were procured from China. China gave more than 400 military aircraft, 1600 MBT and more than 40 navy ships. Most of Pakistani missile projects are started by China. China has not only modernized Pak army but it also established joint projects in Pakistan. J-10 and JF-17 are the latest Chinese version of Russian aircraft SU-27 and Mig-29. JF-17 Thunder aircraft was jointly developed by Chinese and Pakistanis at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. It is an advanced multi role light Combat aircraft. Initially Chinese missiles would be fitted in JF-17 and later the aircraft would be equipped with more sophisticated radars and missiles. Besides JF-17 other important joint projects include K-8 Karakorum advance training aircraft, Al Khalid Tanks, Babur cruise missiles,F-22 naval frigates, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) etc. China also constructed Gwadar Deep Sea Port and assisted Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in developing space technology. Heavy Rebuild Factory (HRF) at Taxila was established through Chinese assistance. China helped Pakistan in the development of nuclear programme also. According to a US intelligence agency report, China had transferred not only the nuclear weapons designs but also weapon grade uranium so that Pakistan can build two nuclear bombs. China built two nuclear reactors in Chasma and also wanted to build two more nuclear reactors there but could not so far. 054A anti-submarine frigate which was built in Huangpu shipyard was sold to Pakistan navy. Chinese Defence minister Liang Guangile, while meeting Noman Bashir, Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff in December 2009 in Beijing reiterated that Chinese armed forces would like to improve its friendly ties with Pakistani Defence forces. General Liang confirmed that Pakistani navy would receive a total of eight F-22 P 3000 tonner Frigates from China. However Pakistan wants to acquire 4000 tonner ships too besides F-22 P Frigates. Chinese leadership is willing to give 4000 tonner ships to Pakistan. Pakistan also acquired 120 Chinese C 802 long range anti-ship cruise missiles. China had also given second ERIEYE radar-equipped SAAB 2000 to Pakistan and would also give Shaanxi ZDK-03 airborne early warning aircraft. China would be establishing military bases abroad. At least one military base would be established in Pakistan. A Chinese military base in Pakistan would pressure India and would counterbalance US influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Not only this, Chinese military base in Pakistan would also facilitate China to curb the uprising of Uighurs who are demanding an independent nation in Xinxiang province. China is liberally assisting Pakistan not only on diplomatic, defence, technical, nuclear fronts but also on economic front. More than 60 Chinese companies and about 10000 Chinese workers are involved in 122 projects in Pakistan. Chinese investment has already crossed $7 billion and it would enhance to $10 billion this year. Visit of Chinese delegation State Councillor and Minister for National Defence of China, General Liang Guanglie, led a 17 member delegation to Pakistan on May 23, 2010 on a two- day visit. The visiting delegation met Pakistani President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister and top military generals including General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff and General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee. Both General Kayani and General Majid appreciated China for its whole hearted support to Pakistan. The defence ministers of both the countries signed three agreements ostensibly to enable Pakistan to fight terrorism. Under these agreements, cooperation and strategic communication between the armed forces of both the countries would be enhanced. Army, Navy and Air Force of Pakistan and China would participate in joint military exercises. The ministers also agreed to share intelligence to weed out the menace of terrorism. Chinese defence minister also promised to provide four trainer aircraft to Air Force and 60 million Yuan (US dollars 8.78 million) to Pakistani defense forces. Both Pakistani President and Prime Minister highlighted the strong friendly ties between China and Pakistan. However during the talks President Zardari alleged that Indian intelligence is behind the terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also charged that there is ample proof that an Indian intelligence agency is assisting terrorist organizations in Pakistan through Afghanistan. Gilani stated that Pakistan wants to eradicate terrorism from its soil but it needs China’s support to counter terrorism. Gilani also lauded Chinese companies namely China National Electronic Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) and China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) for giving credit to Pakistan Defence forces. General Liang stated that China want to make Pakistan self-reliant and does not desire to keep it dependent on China. He promised that China would provide more spare parts, assembly units, over hauling facilities and additional joint venture projects to Pakistan in future. What Next? India should try to counter the nexus between Pakistan and China as the military and nuclear ties between both the countries are being strengthened. China is still clandestinely supplying nuclear and missile technology to Pakistan. Although United States has confirmed information about this unholy alliance but it appears that US does not want to give credence to these glaring evidence. India has also not made any active opposition to this unhealthy relationship. India should muster international support against the illegal proliferation activities of China. It is high time when India adopted a tangible campaign against illegal proliferation of China. Not only this, China should also comprehend that the pressure of Taliban is escalating very rapidly in nuclear Pakistan, which may be dangerous phenomenon for the world. China must utilize its clout so that the impact of Taliban reduces in Pakistan and terrorists are unable to gain control of nuclear devices.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

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DTN News: China and Pakistan Push Chengdu JF-17 Fighter For Export

DTN News: China and Pakistan Push Chengdu JF-17 Fighter For Export

Source: DTN News / Int'l Media By Chris Pocock

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 8, 2010: In the same week that the Chengdu JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft made its international debut at the Farnborough airshow, the product of this co-development between China and Pakistan was offered to Indonesia.

The Pakistan Defence Minister signed a defense cooperation agreement with his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta.

The list of countries that the Sino-Pakistan joint venture is targeting for sales is expanding fast: it reportedly also includes Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Congo, Egypt, Iran, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. At Farnborough, joint-venture partners Catic and PAC described the JF-17 as a multi-role light fighter with an “outstanding performance-to-cost ratio.” The two aircraft on display were ferried to Farnborough but did not fly during the show, and officials were reluctant to allow journalists into the cockpit to view the three multifunction displays plus head-up display, HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) and other avionics.

The aircraft were shown with PL-5II IR-guided air-to-air missiles on wingtip rails and ferry tanks on the centerline and inner wing stations, leaving the outer wing stations unloaded. Mockups of five Chinese stores were displayed next to the aircraft: a C802A anti-ship missile; an SD-10A active radar-guided air-to-air missile; an LS-6 glide bomb; a WMD-7 targeting pod; and a KG300G electronic warfare pod. Program officials said that a development JF-17 is now flying in China with a Chinese-developed engine, presumably the WS-13 Taishan.

All other JF-17s are powered by the Russian-supplied RD-93 turbofan. On the eve of Farnborough, a Russian newspaper reported the opposition of Sukhoi and MiG director-general Mikhail Pogosian to a further sale of RD-93s to China because the JF-17 is competing with the MiG-29 for export sales.

At the show, however, Russian officials, including Pogosian, played down this concern.

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DTN News: JF-17 To Represent Pakistan In Farnborough Air Show

DTN News: JF-17 To Represent Pakistan In Farnborough Air Show

Source: DTN News / The News

(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - July 17, 2010: Indigenously developed aircraft by Pakistan with the help of China will make its maiden appearance at an international show being held in the United Kingdom.

In line to make their physical appearance in Farnborough Air Show 2010 along with other modern aircraft, being held 19-25 July in the UK, two JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft of PAF on Friday flew into the UK from a PAF Base.

These aircraft are manufactured at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. The JF-17s would be displayed for the first time in the Farnborough Air Show alongside other modern aircrafts of the world.

The JF-17 Thunder distinguishes PAF as the only air force in the world that manufactures combat aircraft. It is an all-weather, multi-role, combat aircraft that has the potential to be the mainstay of any modern air force.

DTN News: First Pakistani-Built JF-17 To Fly By Year's End

DTN News: First Pakistani-Built JF-17 To Fly By Year's End

*Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - June 30, 2009: Pakistan's Chief of the air staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, told graduates at the thirty-eighth Combat Commander's Course at PAF Base Mushaf, Sargodha, that the first Pakistani-built JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft will begin construction this week, and fly by the end of the year, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan. The first operational squadron of JF-17s is based at Peshawar and is set to fully enter service by the end of the year. The Peshawar-based JF-17s initially are to be tasked with the air-to-air role, with air-to-ground capabilities being retrofitted at a later date. However, these aircraft were manufactured in China and flown to Pakistan as air freight before they were reassembled. The Pakistani-built aircraft initially will have some components delivered from China, but with increasing indigenous content as production progresses. It is planned that the second batch of JF-17s will have a large degree of Western sourced systems, reducing Chinese input further. However, according to retired Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail, domestic JF-17 production heralds for Pakistan, "cutting-edge technology in the hands of Pakistani engineers and technicians." He further stated, "Since the production is being done at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex [an Air Force outfit], it also helps the Air Force gain first-hand experience in aircraft production, which is not a bad thing at all, even though aircraft production has usually been a civilian domain worldwide." Domestic production also means that in the long term, potential upgrades would be implemented faster due to reduced bureaucratic red tape from dealing with foreign companies, especially if aircraft had to be sent overseas. A more short-term effect, however, would be to boost national morale in seeing "a locally manufactured aircraft taking to the skies," he said. The program itself is also set to receive a boost from seeing "an all-Pakistani aircraft, rather than a part-Chinese-part-Pakistani one, becoming operational, as there have been some detractors across the border [in India] who have not been able to digest the success of the JF-17 project, particularly when compared to the Tejas Project," he said. National pride aside, however, Tufail said the most important aspect was that the Air Force will not "have to worry about sanctions when we have production in our hands." This has been the overriding Air Force concern since U.S sanctions nearly crippled the F-16 fleet in the 1990s. With more than 250 JF-17s planned to replace the A-5C, F-7P, Mirage-III, and Mirage 5 combat aircraft, Pakistan's defensive potential is unlikely to be harmed to such a degree whatever the future international political climate.

Pakistan Air Force Has Contracted With China For 300 JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets Costing Almost $4 Billion,Can Pakistan Afford Mounting Cost Of Defence

Pakistan Air Force Has Contracted With China For 300 JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets Costing Almost $4 Billion, Can Pakistan Afford Mounting Cost Of Defence

(NSI News Source Info) March 10, 2009: Pakistan received eight JF-17 fighters over the last two years, and has now signed a deal to buy the next 42, of 300, of these jets from China. These 42 will cost $14.3 million per aircraft. The final 250 will cost $12 million each. When the first JF-17 fighter arrived in Pakistan two years ago, it ended over twenty years of development for what was first called the Super 7 fighter. The JF-17 was developed by China in cooperation with Pakistan, which originally only wanted to buy 150 of them. All this came about because Pakistan could not get modern fighters from anyone else, and turned to China. The 13 ton JF-17 is meant to be a low cost alternative to the American F-16. The JF-17 is considered the equal to earlier versions of the F-16, but only 80 percent as effective as more recent F16 models.

The JF-17 uses the same Russian engine, the RD-93, that is used in the MiG-29. The JF-17 design is based on a cancelled Russian project, the MiG-33. Most of the JF-17 electronics are Western, with Italian firms being major suppliers. At one time, there was a serious a snag because the Russians did not want to allow the JF-17s to go to Pakistan with Russian engines. Negotiations resolved this problem, aided by the current peace talks between India (a long time Russian customer) and Pakistan. The JF-17 can carry 3.6 tons of weapons and use radar guided and heat seeking missiles. It has max speed of nearly 2,000 kilometers an hour, an operating range of 1,300 kilometers and a max altitude of 55,000 feet. It is arriving just in time to replace many aging MiG-21s that Pakistan is still flying.

Pakistan Contracted With China For Co-Production of JF-17 SP (Serial Production) Aircraft And Avionics Equipments / PAF, Chinese Firm Sign Deal.....

Pakistan Contracted With China For Co-Production of JF-17 SP (Serial Production) Aircraft And Avionics Equipments / PAF, Chinese Firm Sign Deal To Build JF-17 Aircraft

(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD - March 8, 2009: The Pakistan Air Force and a Chinese firm signed an agreement on Saturday to produce a series of JF-17 (Thunder) aircraft for PAF. The agreement, signed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex chairman Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhry and CATIC president M.A. Zhiping, will be on the basis of ‘seller’s credit’. Under the agreement, 42 fighter jets will be produced jointly for PAF. Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmad and Chinese Ambassador H.E Luo Zhaohui witnessing signing contract for co-production of JF-17 SP (Serial Production) aircraft and avionics equipments. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed and Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui attended the signing ceremony. Talking to reporters, the air chief said ‘in the beginning we will produce 15 aircraft annually and the number will later increase to 30. The programme will be carried out in phases.’ He said the first squadron of the fighter jets would be inducted into the PAF fleet by the middle of this year, adding that PAF had been using eight jointly produced aircraft for the past couple of years. The fleet would be raised in Peshawar, he added. About the delivery of AWACS system to Pakistan, the air chief said an agreement had already been reached with a Chinese firm for start of delivery by 2010. ‘On the delivery of first AWACS system, Pakistan will pay 10 per cent cost of the aircraft while the remaining amount would be paid on instalments,’ he added. He said the agreement between Pakistan and China for the delivery of the J-10 aircraft was intact and these aircraft would be delivered to PAF in 2014-15. The aircraft were being modernised in accordance with PAF’s requirements and would be delivered under the title of FC-20.

Pakistan To Start Production Of JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets

Pakistan To Start Production Of JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets (NSI News Source Info) Islamabad - January 3, 2009: Pakistan looks to strengthen the capability of its air force amidst rising war fears with India. Pakistan is ready to start serial production of multi-role fighter aircraft (JF-17 Thunder) in collaboration with China. Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhry said that the PAC has set up a factory for initiating the serial production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft. Giving further details about the various plans of PAC, Chaudhary said: "the Mirage Rebuild Factory, which is a part of PAC has been rebuilding 35 years old version of the Mirage aircraft which were bought as scrap from various countries." "State-of-the-art machinery recently imported from various developed countries has been installed to manufacture various gadgets for different versions of the aircraft in the inventory of Pakistan Airforce," the News quoted Chaudhary, as saying.

IDEAS 2008: Eight Countries Interested In JF-17 Thunder Planes

IDEAS 2008: Eight countries interested in JF-17 Thunder planes (NSI News Source Info) Karachi - December 4, 2008: Ministry of Defence Production Secretary Shahid Siddiq Tirmizi informed journalists on Friday that as many as eight countries have shown interest in procuring newly launched JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft that was developed jointly by defence industries of Pakistan and China.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been using eight JF-17 fighters to complete trials and technical evaluation of the newly launched jet, he said. He said that once agreements for sale were reached, 800 or even more JF-17 fighters could be produced.

Indonesia also has expressed interest in the French Dassault Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale fighters, the Chinese Chengdu J-10 and the joint Chinese/Pakistani FC-1 Fierce Dragon/JF-17 Thunder fighter.

The Secretary Defence Production along with Minister for Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Jatoi, State Minister for Defence Production Sardar Salim Hyder Khan, and Director-General Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) Maj General Muhammad Farooq were speaking at a press conference at fifth and concluding day of International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS-2008) here at Karachi Expo Centre. The official said that through IDEAS, Pakistani defence products were showcased to prospective international buyers, who showed a keen interest in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air defence systems, tank simulators, and anti-tank guided missiles developed by Pakistan.

He said that the negotiations held at IDEAS could lead to more joint ventures of Pakistan for defence production with international defence industries and friendly countries like Turkey, France, and Germany.

According to him, various participating delegations, prospective buyers, and exhibitors had reached some 11 broad understandings for defence production and procuring arms and related equipment.Tirmizi said that from 2006 to 2008 Pakistan had exported defence products worth $400 million and this figure is bound to increase after IDEAS-2008. Minister for Defence Production Qayyum Jatoi responded to a question about Pakistani capability to counter drone attacks by saying that Pakistan has the necessary defence capability but its top priority is to resolve the issue through diplomatic and political means.

Regarding the strained bilateral ties between India and Pakistan, especially in the immediate aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, the minister said the government is hopeful that India would not attack Pakistan, but Pakistan was capable of countering the attack in such an eventuality. Maj. Gen. Farooq, organizer of the event, said that prospective international defence manufacturers had already started showing their interest in participating in the sixth IDEAS scheduled to be held in 2010.