JF-17 Thunder soon to join export club: Qamar
-Says aircraft to be equiped with cruise missile, air borne warning systems
By Iqbal Mustafa
Islamabad Every inch of air boundaries of the homeland is in safe hands as we have sophisticated, advanced conventional and non-conventional arsenals. We are capable to sale out to those who want to save and strengthen their air defense,especially through the pride and state of the art fighter jet JF-17 Thunder.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said, while sharing views exclusively with foreign media hocks. We have already increased the production docks for the JF-17 Thunder from four to six, to assemble 25 aircraft every year. Pakistan is now going to join the fighter air craft selling club. Our state of the art fighter JF -17 is an improved version of Chinas new generation fighter jet.
We have bright prospects in the international aviation market because its especial features, like all weather flight, light weight, advanced and supreme avionics essential for a modern combat system, and much less maintenance and operational cost, compared to the other fighter planes of its class. Air Chief added.
Rao Qamar said Pakistan intends to purchase at least three or four Chinese surface-to-air missiles including the advanced Hong Qi-18 (HQ-18), with a maximum range of 100 kilometers to intercept the system.
He said their interception capabilities are taking place between a low level 25 meter to an altitude of 25 kilometers and can intercept even any short range ballistic missiles, aircraft or cruise missiles as well. These missiles system is based upon the Russian S-300V1 type 2 (SA-12AGladiator).
He told the foreign media hocks that they are getting Chinese ZDK-03 air borne warning and control system too and the delivery will be start soon. "We are also thinking about the Chinese engines but we have to examine its quality and capability before the final decision, whether it would be able to fulfill our requirement or not", he said.
Commenting on cooperation in military research and development, he said china and Pakistan will continue to work together in all the areas, there is no lack of trust. We have already jointly achieved a lot of targets successfully.
JF-17 Thunder soon to join export club: Qamar