Pakistan completes final 14 units of two-seat JF-17B Thunder fighters, announces production of Block III variant

The PAC's new JF-17B Thunder two-seat fighter aircraft during roll-out ceremonies held at PAC's Kamra facility on 30 December 2020.

 

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) has completed the last 14 units out of a total 26 units of two-seat JF-17B Block II Thunder fight aircraft bound for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which were handed over during ceremonies held on PAC's Karma facility on 30 December 2020.

The PAF ordered the aircraft in late 2017, and will be operated mostly as operational conversion trainers, although it could also be used for tactical combat roles.

The PAF also announced that PAC has officially launched the production of its latest Block III variant of the JF-17 Thunder, with the first 2 units built by PAC's development and production partner Chengdu Aircraft Industries Group (CAIG), and being tested by Chinese and Pakistani pilots since December 2019.

The new Block III JF-17 Thunder which will feature new avionics and sensors including the KLJ-7A active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from China Electronic Technology Group, an enhanced electronic warfare system, improvements in payload capability and compatibility with more munition types that increases the aircraft's stand-off range and overall combat capability.

It is expected that the PAF will integrate the new KLJ-7A AESA radar to the 26 new JF-17B Block II two-seat fighters, and there is possibility that the same could be done to the PAF's older fleet of Block I and Block II JF-17A single-seat fighters.

The PAF has a requirement for 50 Block III JF-17 fighters over the next 3 years, with PAC expected to produce the aircraft and have a flying aircraft ready for testing by the 3rd quarter of 2021.



[1] Jane's
[2] DAWN