PAC Kamra Rolls Out 50th Production JF-17 Thunder
Posted on 18 December, 2013
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, along with other dignitaries, at the official roll-out ceremony today for the 50th JF-17 Thunder, 13-150, at PAC Kamra. PAF
ROLL-OUT OF the 50th Block 1 JF-17 was celebrated today by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. Although the audience included Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and PAF’s top brass, headed by the PAF Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, it was the aircraft, serial number 13-150, that took centre-stage. During the event, the PAF also took the chance to announce the start of production of the next batch of 50 Block 2 JF-17s.
There is a PAF requirement for 150-200 JF-17s before the end of the decade, which will replace all the Chengdu F-7Ps and Dassault Mirage III/Vs serving nine PAF squadrons. There has been a stepping stone approach to production, with more capabilities being built into each batch of 50 aircraft. Block 1 JF-17s were the basic version, armed with PL-5s and Mk 82/83/84 bombs. Among the improved Block 2 aircraft capabilities are the Chinese C-802 anti-shipping missile, SD-10 BVR missiles and an air-to-air refuelling system.
The JF-17 Thunder is a joint Pak-Sino project and one of Pakistan’s national projects. Four prototypes were built in China, as were eight Serial Batch Production (SBP) aircraft. The first aircraft flew in Pakistan from Kamra in March 2007 to celebrate Armed Forces Day, with production at the PAC’s Aircraft Manufacturing Factory commencing in June 2009, leading to the first aircraft leaving the production line in November 2009.
PAC Kamra, together with CATIC (China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation), are now marketing the aircraft to potential export customers. According to one official, “Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey and the UAE have shown keen interest” although what level of interest that is, remains uncertain. Sri Lanka, with its ageing fleet of F-7BS, MiG-27s and Kfirs is likely to be the first to purchase an aircraft that can provide good value, with bags of potential. AFD-Alan Warnes
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, sits in the cockpit of the 50th JF-17 Thunder, 13-150, at PAC Kamra during yesterday’s roll-out ceremony. PAF
At the other end of the scale, seen here is the first series production JF-17, 07-101, which was built in China, taxiing out at PAC Kamra on March 23, 2007, to take part in the Armed Forces Day Parade over Islamabad. The aircraft is emblazoned in China and Pakistan’s national colours. AFD-Alan Warnes
Following manufacture of initial production aircraft in China, PAC Kamra began producing the JF-17 locally, the first example being 09-111 seen here, which left the AMF production line in November 2009. AFD-Alan Warnes