Pakistan's first JF-17 fighter to roll out next week

The first JF-17 Thunder built at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra will roll out on November 23, ushering in a new era in Pakistan-China ties and the local aviation industry, official sources said on Tuesday.

They said China and the Pakistan Air Force attached great importance to the project, which was materialising after almost a decade.

The PAC has utilised all its capabilities in producing the aircraft, besides materialising orders received from abroad.

The JF-17 Thunder – a lightweight, multi-role fighter aircraft with glass cockpit, hands-on throttle-and-stick controls and efficient man-machine interface – would ensure minimum workload for the pilots.

It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and a high thrust-to-weight ratio enables it to perform well in air defence roles. An ability to carry short and long-range air-to-air missiles provides the aircraft first-strike capability.

The aircraft would replace the ageing fleets of A-5s, F-7Ps and the mirages in the PAF inventory. app