JF-17 Fighter Slated for Block-2 Upgrades in 2012

[Lankan Ranger]

JF-17 Fighter Slated for Block-2 Upgrades in 2012

The JF-17 Thunder fighter, co-developed by China’s Avic and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), is to receive improvements that will start being produced with the Block-2 version from next year.

The enhancements will effect the data link and electronic warfare capabilities. An air-to-air re refueling capability will be added, as will be new guided weapons. A two-seat variant is being developed, too. The current program schedule calls for the Pakistan-based factory to deliver the JF-17 Block-2 to the PAF from mid-2012 to 2015. Then, a Block-3 version is planned from 2016. Block-1 aircraft are being delivered until the middle of next year.

PAF Air Chief Marshall Rao Qamar Suleiman said marketing efforts focus on those countries needing to replace old fighters such as the MiG-21, early Mirage, F-5 and Phantom types. The program’s target export countries can be found in Latin America, Africa and Asia. “We offer performance comparable to U.S. and European fighters when it comes to radar, dogfight missile, range and BVR [beyond visual range] capabilities, for one third of the cost,” Suleiman claimed.

So far, five countries are said to have taken a close look at the aircraft. China itself is currently evaluating the JF-17 and a decision is expected “shortly.” Avic and the PAF expect to sell “between 300 and 500 JF-17s” over the next 10 years.

The in-service fleet has logged a total of 10,000 flight hours with the PAF. In China, the JF-17 is also known as the FC-1 Xiaolong.

China-Pakistan JF-17 Fighter Slated for Block-2 Upgrades | Aviation International News

 

[mahmoodadeel]

what about radar ... i heard somewhere that it will be AESA .. then what will be its range compare to current radar ?

 

[Saifullah Sani]

any details about Block-3 version

 

[ANG]

Hi, there is also no mention of a new engine, potentially the WS-13. I guess, it is safe to assume the RD-93 will still be the engine of choice? I am hearing conflicting reports, as rumor has it the WS-13 is ready for fullscale production in 2012.

 

[VelocuR]

Read details here.....

Big picture

Nabil bro.. has already confirmed the AESA for blk-II n this link shows a TVC -WS-13 engine.. AWESOME NEWS INDEED. By Pakistani Nationalists

http://www.defence.pk/forums/milita...-dubai-air-show-nov-2011-a-6.html#post2285685

any details about Block-3 version

There is no details for Block 3 version, PAF are focusing on Block 2 now. If anything need to change after Block 2, it will be more discussion to modify on Block 3 later in 2015 before productions.

 

[Skull and Bones]

what about radar ... i heard somewhere that it will be AESA .. then what will be its range compare to current radar ?

An AESA radar will shoot up the price above $50 million a piece, thus neutralizing JF-17s advantage against western fighters.

 

[Icarus]

An AESA radar will shoot up the price above $50 million a piece, thus neutralizing JF-17s advantage against western fighters.

The JFT is in-line for an AESA radar which was to be provided by the French, however, they chose to opt out for two reasons.
1) They were looking for a much more lucrative deal in Indian's MRCA.
2) They wanted Pakistan to replace it's ageing fleet of Mirages with UAE's Mirage 2000s.

Now an Italian firm has shown interest in the project. I doubt that a single AESA radar will increase the cost from US$16 Million to US$50 Million, I'm looking more along the line of US$20-25 Million max........

 

[Emmie]

An AESA radar will shoot up the price above $50 million a piece, thus neutralizing JF-17s advantage against western fighters.

Well, that will depend on the buyer.... As for as PAF is concern it will surely induct AESA equipped JFT.. And AESA is ready for JFT.

BTW price wont shoot to that level, I mean $ 50 million is exaggeration.

 

[Skull and Bones]

The JFT is in-line for an AESA radar which was to be provided by the French, however, they chose to opt out for two reasons.
1) They were looking for a much more lucrative deal in Indian's MRCA.
2) They wanted Pakistan to replace it's ageing fleet of Mirages with UAE's Mirage 2000s.

Now an Italian firm has shown interest in the project. I doubt that a single AESA radar will increase the cost from US$16 Million to US$50 Million, I'm looking more along the line of US$20-25 Million max........

$15-$20 million is the PAF acquisition price, the price is bound to be higher for any other countries, plus the maintenance cost, weapons package, infrastructure and all. Taking all these into mind, the price of JF-17 will be more than $30 million for any third party to acquire.

F-16 C/D costs around $18 million for USAF.

 

[Icarus]

$15-$20 million is the PAF acquisition price, the price is bound to be higher for any other countries, plus the maintenance cost, weapons package, infrastructure and all. Taking all these into mind, the price of JF-17 will be more than $30 million for any third party to acquire.

Yeah, 30 Million sounds reasonable..........

 

[ANG]

any details about Block-3 version

Hi Mr. Sani, 2016 is to far away to really conjure up what the JF-17 will incorporate.

But reading the article just posted by Mr. RaptorRX707, the Block II, if it contains an AESA, inflight refueling, IRST, and a thrust vectoring engine, that will be amazing. This warbird is really coming along. I am hoping by 2016, the JF-17 will have a lot more stealth features. Moreover, bringing this technology in house will give the PAF some serious independence.

 

[Areesh]

By the way according to Pshamim sahab the price of JFT block 2 would increase about 5-10 million a piece comparing to block 1.

 

[guest11]

So, when is the prototype coming out?

 

[Emmie]

Hi Mr. Sani, 2016 is to far away to really conjure up what the JF-17 will incorporate.

But reading the article just posted by Mr. RaptorRX707, the Block II, if it contains an AESA, inflight refueling, IRST, and a thrust vectoring engine, that will be amazing. This warbird is really coming along. I am hoping by 2016, the JF-17 will have a lot more stealth features. Moreover, bringing this technology in house will give the PAF some serious independence.

Now this means a 4.5 generation aircraft.. There's no TVC in block 2, according to NABEEL BHAI.

 

[Icarus]

F-16 C/D costs around $18 million for USAF.

America's maintenance and support is very expensive, I doubt that Pakistan-China will charge that much, since we are newbies in a very competitive international market.