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AFM January 2010 Editorial
JF-17: Dreams into Reality
Amongst all the bad news coming out of Pakistan in late November, there was one bright spot: the roll out of Pakistan's first locally assembled JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft. At a time when Pakisan was witnessing almost daily suicide bombings in the North West Frontier Province, continued domestic apathy towards the Pakistan Government as well as a huge corruption scandal, it was great that something good was happening in a state where the only news is appears to be reall bad news. Pakistan TV and all national newspapers are full of nothong but gloom - talking the nation into a frenzy.
I was fortunate enough to be one of the two foreigners invited to the unvieling of this chino-pak project on November 23 - the other being the Joint Managing Director and Chief Designer at Martin Baker, which is supplying the ejection seats. The aircraft, 09-111, had only entered final assembly in June and emerged just four months later, in late October, from the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex production line. By the time the aircraft had been officially rolled out, it had flown four times and gone through a couple of taxi tests befor entering the paint shop in preparation for its grand unveiling.
The close relationship between Pakistan and China, two nations that need each other for differing military reasons, is impressive. China has the industrial kno-how for building military aircraft, but Pakistan can add their guile and sophistication to their platforms, following years of working with western technologies. This great military partnership has been involving since 1965, when the US slapped sanctions on both India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pak-India War that year.
China has also provided some very good financial credit to its ally for the JF-17 project at extremely favourable terms, ensuring that Pakistan's aerospace industry can benefit frctiaom the transfer of skills and technologies.
In an age when the counter-insurgency role is taking on an increasingly important status in and around Pakistan, the PAF's tactical doctrine, particularly with its current operations in striking Al-Qaeda and other militant groups in the SWAT valley and Waziristan, is now evolving rapidly. So much so, that the PAF Chief has now stopped, temporarily, all Combat Commanders' Courses and instead every fighter unit is now going through a counter-insurgency excercise know locally as Saffron Bandit. By the end of February 2010, all the squadrons will have participated and, undoubtedly, the forward-thinking PAF leadership will ensure that any capability shortfall or technology gaps in the current platforms' Close Air support role will not be found in the multi-role JF-17 when it reaches maturity. The PAF's dream of having it's own indigineous fighter is now turning into reality. Let us hope that Pakistan's dream of ridding itself of extremism also turns into reality.....and soon.
Alan Warnes
AFM Editor
================================================================================
===================
AFM World Exclusive: First Pakistani-built JF-17 Rolled Out.
Alan Warnes, Editor of Air Forces Monthly, was the only foreign journalist allowed to visit PAC Kamra as anothe historic JF-17 programme milestone was reached.
On November 23, 2009, only five months after final assembly commenced, the Kamra-based Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, located 60 miles (100km) West of the Pakistan capital, Islamabad, rolled out its first locally produced JF-17 Thunder. It was another milestone for the Sino-Pak developed fighter that is set to become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force inventory over the coming years, with up to 250 aircraft expected to be delivered.
Increasing Output
In March 2009, the PAF signed a contract with CATIC for the purchase of 42 JF-17s, with 40 being built in Pakistan. The first aircraft 09-111, was manufactured with 20% of the parts made in Pakistan, however by the time the 40th aircraft emerges from the production line, in 2012, this should have risen to 58%. As technology transfer increases and the manufacturing process stepped up, so JF-17 output will increase. PAC Kamra will produce another four aircraft by the end of the year, rising to 8-12 in 2010 and 14-16 each subsequent year.
A National Project
This project was formally launched in June 1999, when Pakistan and China signed an agreement at the ceremony to formally announce the JF-17's rollout, with personnel from both China and Pakistan in attendance. The Cheif Guest, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani, spoke of his Government's support for the JF-17, which he made clear was a national project being run by the PAF.
"This day will be remembered as a landmark in the history of Pakistan and its ongoing efforts for self-reliance. The role of the PAFhas become vital in combating the forces of extremism and militancy. Under these circumstances a modern air force is a national requirement and for this reason I firmly believe in a strong and well supported PAF. The PAF is working side by side with our Army in rooting out the extremists".
He also thanked the Chinese Government and its people for the support it has provided over the years, adding: "Our friendship with China is not just about economics. China has always stood by us in our hour of need, providing us unflinching support and the willingness to go that extra mile fo Pakistan. They have also helped us in the socio-econimic developement of our country. I thank the Chinese people for providing the PAF with the personnel and systems for the JF-17. China's willingness offers us hope for stabilty in the future. I'm confident that as the aircraft matures, it will become the mainstay of the PAF and satisfy the defenc needs of the country."
PRIDE
Other speakers included the PAF Chief, Air Cheif Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman, Air Marshall Farhat Hussain Khan (PAC Chairman) and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Mr Luo Zhaohui.
The JF-17, serialled 09-111 sat behind a large pair of black curtains as the PAC chairman made his speech, in which he told the audience that air forces do not get involved in building their own aircraft: "The PAF is the only air force to take on the task of developing a modern fighter and with Chinese technology transfers, the Pakistan aerospace industry is set to be revolutionised. in doing so, it will provide Pakistan with self reliance and the production of the JF-17 is a gift to the nation."
As his speech ended, the music came on and the curtains were slowly drawn. Then, emerging slowly through the dry ice, the JF-17 appeared, in the colours of Pakistan's national flag. Cheif of Staff, Air Cheif Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman, spoke of his pride and praised everyone for their efforts on a project that has started back in 1992. He spoke of how the JF-17 symbolises a landmark acheivement in Pakistan's national history and how in the 1980's, the PAF grabbed a chance of developing a lightweight, low-cost modern fighter aircraft that could serve as the backbone of it's fighter fleet in the 21st century.
"Sanctions and spiralling costs were the main reason for the idea to develop an aircraft that would replace our ageing inventory and working with China seemed to be the most prudent and economical way forward. Our historice friendship with the Chinese aviation industry, CATIC and CIEC has been vital and crucial in its success."
The Road Ahead
The aircraft, which has been flown four times since leaving the final assembly line in late-October, will be the first of the four delivered to the PAF by the end of the year . By mid-2010, the PAF's first JF-17 Thunder unit, 26 squadron, is expected to stand up, by which time around 14-16 aircraft will have been delivered. Today there are ten aircraft already flying in Pakistan.
Inside the cockpit was a Martin Baker PK16LE Mk 16 ejection seat, currently being retrofitted to all of Pakistan based JF-17s, to replace Chinese TY-6 seats. Discussions are still ongoing with MDBA over the aquisition of weapons, which is said to include the Mica IR BVR air-to-air missile. The author was also told that until a deal is done with Thales for an avionics system, the first 42 JF-17s will be fitted with Chinese designed KLJ-1 radar and radar warning reciever.
JF-17 Project Milestones
February 1992 - First Proposal for a Joint Venture by CATIC
January 1994 - PAF acceptance of Proposal
January 1995 - Memorandum of Understanding signed
June 1999 - Contract signed for development of Super-7 aircraft
January 2003 - Avionics contracted for prototype aircraft
July 2003 - Aircraft renamed JF-17 Thunder
August 2003 - First un-official flight of JF-17
September 2003 - First Official flight of JF-17 (No PT-1)
April 2004 - Maiden Flight of JF-17 prototype No PT3
June 2004 - Avionics contract for JF-17 prototype aircraft
April 2005 - Ground breaking ceremony for JF-17 Co-production at PAC Kamra
May 2006 - Maiden flight of JF-17 Prototype No PT-4
September 2006 - Maiden flight of JF-17 Prototype No PT-6
March 2007 - Arrival of Serial batch Production (SBP) 1-2 aircraft in Pakistan
March 2007 - Commissioning of Avionics Integration Capability at Kamra Avionics Repair Factory at PAC Kamra
January 2008 - Start of JF-17 sub assembly at AMF PAC
February 2008 - Arrival in Pakistan of three SBP aircraft
March 2008 - Arrival in Pakistan of three more sbp aircraft
June 2009 - Start of JF-17 Final Assembly and flight testing at AMF PAC
November 2009 - First JF-17 rolled out from PAC Kamra
JF-17: Dreams into Reality
Amongst all the bad news coming out of Pakistan in late November, there was one bright spot: the roll out of Pakistan's first locally assembled JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft. At a time when Pakisan was witnessing almost daily suicide bombings in the North West Frontier Province, continued domestic apathy towards the Pakistan Government as well as a huge corruption scandal, it was great that something good was happening in a state where the only news is appears to be reall bad news. Pakistan TV and all national newspapers are full of nothong but gloom - talking the nation into a frenzy.
I was fortunate enough to be one of the two foreigners invited to the unvieling of this chino-pak project on November 23 - the other being the Joint Managing Director and Chief Designer at Martin Baker, which is supplying the ejection seats. The aircraft, 09-111, had only entered final assembly in June and emerged just four months later, in late October, from the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex production line. By the time the aircraft had been officially rolled out, it had flown four times and gone through a couple of taxi tests befor entering the paint shop in preparation for its grand unveiling.
The close relationship between Pakistan and China, two nations that need each other for differing military reasons, is impressive. China has the industrial kno-how for building military aircraft, but Pakistan can add their guile and sophistication to their platforms, following years of working with western technologies. This great military partnership has been involving since 1965, when the US slapped sanctions on both India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pak-India War that year.
China has also provided some very good financial credit to its ally for the JF-17 project at extremely favourable terms, ensuring that Pakistan's aerospace industry can benefit frctiaom the transfer of skills and technologies.
In an age when the counter-insurgency role is taking on an increasingly important status in and around Pakistan, the PAF's tactical doctrine, particularly with its current operations in striking Al-Qaeda and other militant groups in the SWAT valley and Waziristan, is now evolving rapidly. So much so, that the PAF Chief has now stopped, temporarily, all Combat Commanders' Courses and instead every fighter unit is now going through a counter-insurgency excercise know locally as Saffron Bandit. By the end of February 2010, all the squadrons will have participated and, undoubtedly, the forward-thinking PAF leadership will ensure that any capability shortfall or technology gaps in the current platforms' Close Air support role will not be found in the multi-role JF-17 when it reaches maturity. The PAF's dream of having it's own indigineous fighter is now turning into reality. Let us hope that Pakistan's dream of ridding itself of extremism also turns into reality.....and soon.
Alan Warnes
AFM Editor
================================================================================
===================
AFM World Exclusive: First Pakistani-built JF-17 Rolled Out.
Alan Warnes, Editor of Air Forces Monthly, was the only foreign journalist allowed to visit PAC Kamra as anothe historic JF-17 programme milestone was reached.
On November 23, 2009, only five months after final assembly commenced, the Kamra-based Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, located 60 miles (100km) West of the Pakistan capital, Islamabad, rolled out its first locally produced JF-17 Thunder. It was another milestone for the Sino-Pak developed fighter that is set to become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force inventory over the coming years, with up to 250 aircraft expected to be delivered.
Increasing Output
In March 2009, the PAF signed a contract with CATIC for the purchase of 42 JF-17s, with 40 being built in Pakistan. The first aircraft 09-111, was manufactured with 20% of the parts made in Pakistan, however by the time the 40th aircraft emerges from the production line, in 2012, this should have risen to 58%. As technology transfer increases and the manufacturing process stepped up, so JF-17 output will increase. PAC Kamra will produce another four aircraft by the end of the year, rising to 8-12 in 2010 and 14-16 each subsequent year.
A National Project
This project was formally launched in June 1999, when Pakistan and China signed an agreement at the ceremony to formally announce the JF-17's rollout, with personnel from both China and Pakistan in attendance. The Cheif Guest, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani, spoke of his Government's support for the JF-17, which he made clear was a national project being run by the PAF.
"This day will be remembered as a landmark in the history of Pakistan and its ongoing efforts for self-reliance. The role of the PAFhas become vital in combating the forces of extremism and militancy. Under these circumstances a modern air force is a national requirement and for this reason I firmly believe in a strong and well supported PAF. The PAF is working side by side with our Army in rooting out the extremists".
He also thanked the Chinese Government and its people for the support it has provided over the years, adding: "Our friendship with China is not just about economics. China has always stood by us in our hour of need, providing us unflinching support and the willingness to go that extra mile fo Pakistan. They have also helped us in the socio-econimic developement of our country. I thank the Chinese people for providing the PAF with the personnel and systems for the JF-17. China's willingness offers us hope for stabilty in the future. I'm confident that as the aircraft matures, it will become the mainstay of the PAF and satisfy the defenc needs of the country."
PRIDE
Other speakers included the PAF Chief, Air Cheif Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman, Air Marshall Farhat Hussain Khan (PAC Chairman) and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Mr Luo Zhaohui.
The JF-17, serialled 09-111 sat behind a large pair of black curtains as the PAC chairman made his speech, in which he told the audience that air forces do not get involved in building their own aircraft: "The PAF is the only air force to take on the task of developing a modern fighter and with Chinese technology transfers, the Pakistan aerospace industry is set to be revolutionised. in doing so, it will provide Pakistan with self reliance and the production of the JF-17 is a gift to the nation."
As his speech ended, the music came on and the curtains were slowly drawn. Then, emerging slowly through the dry ice, the JF-17 appeared, in the colours of Pakistan's national flag. Cheif of Staff, Air Cheif Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman, spoke of his pride and praised everyone for their efforts on a project that has started back in 1992. He spoke of how the JF-17 symbolises a landmark acheivement in Pakistan's national history and how in the 1980's, the PAF grabbed a chance of developing a lightweight, low-cost modern fighter aircraft that could serve as the backbone of it's fighter fleet in the 21st century.
"Sanctions and spiralling costs were the main reason for the idea to develop an aircraft that would replace our ageing inventory and working with China seemed to be the most prudent and economical way forward. Our historice friendship with the Chinese aviation industry, CATIC and CIEC has been vital and crucial in its success."
The Road Ahead
The aircraft, which has been flown four times since leaving the final assembly line in late-October, will be the first of the four delivered to the PAF by the end of the year . By mid-2010, the PAF's first JF-17 Thunder unit, 26 squadron, is expected to stand up, by which time around 14-16 aircraft will have been delivered. Today there are ten aircraft already flying in Pakistan.
Inside the cockpit was a Martin Baker PK16LE Mk 16 ejection seat, currently being retrofitted to all of Pakistan based JF-17s, to replace Chinese TY-6 seats. Discussions are still ongoing with MDBA over the aquisition of weapons, which is said to include the Mica IR BVR air-to-air missile. The author was also told that until a deal is done with Thales for an avionics system, the first 42 JF-17s will be fitted with Chinese designed KLJ-1 radar and radar warning reciever.
JF-17 Project Milestones
February 1992 - First Proposal for a Joint Venture by CATIC
January 1994 - PAF acceptance of Proposal
January 1995 - Memorandum of Understanding signed
June 1999 - Contract signed for development of Super-7 aircraft
January 2003 - Avionics contracted for prototype aircraft
July 2003 - Aircraft renamed JF-17 Thunder
August 2003 - First un-official flight of JF-17
September 2003 - First Official flight of JF-17 (No PT-1)
April 2004 - Maiden Flight of JF-17 prototype No PT3
June 2004 - Avionics contract for JF-17 prototype aircraft
April 2005 - Ground breaking ceremony for JF-17 Co-production at PAC Kamra
May 2006 - Maiden flight of JF-17 Prototype No PT-4
September 2006 - Maiden flight of JF-17 Prototype No PT-6
March 2007 - Arrival of Serial batch Production (SBP) 1-2 aircraft in Pakistan
March 2007 - Commissioning of Avionics Integration Capability at Kamra Avionics Repair Factory at PAC Kamra
January 2008 - Start of JF-17 sub assembly at AMF PAC
February 2008 - Arrival in Pakistan of three SBP aircraft
March 2008 - Arrival in Pakistan of three more sbp aircraft
June 2009 - Start of JF-17 Final Assembly and flight testing at AMF PAC
November 2009 - First JF-17 rolled out from PAC Kamra
Do you honestly believe India's claim of having it in service in 2012?
