Usman S. from Pakdef
I had an informal visit to PAC about a week ago. Got a chance to visit MRF, AMF & had the opportunity to use JF-17 simulator. It's one of the three simulators (this one used for testing/development) in Pakistan. The other two (with even better specs) are based in Peshawar and Karachi. It's made in partnership with Spanish firm Indra (mostly hardware). These are fully functional, high fidelity replicas of all controls, instruments, displays & interior. Uses electric actuators and a COTS based PC computer system. The pilot can simulate everything that's possible in the actual aircraft including datalinks, BVR, IFR etc. He can also fly sorties against multiple aircraft (those are fed based on known specs) and can also fly with other pilots connected with other simulators. I flew a sortie and asked them to set me up from Masroor (instead of Kamra), which they did within 20 seconds. The scenery was exact match of Karachi/Masroor and you could easily ID all the landmarks. It was also a bit disorienting due to actuators when you roll and pitch. All in all a very impressive setup. I managed to takeoff and land successfully and did a few rolls and loops - very easy to fly.
At MRF there were multiple aircraft going through their routine inspection - a well known operation so nothing to add here. At JF-17 factory saw a few birds. Serial 229 was used for IFR tests and is also used as test aircraft for some other changes. The parts for Burma aircraft were supplied from Kamra. There might be an additional 10 aircraft in Block-II. The B variants are arriving in perhaps a month's time. Block-III will have structural changes including the addition of two intake/chin hard points. CFT's are not certain. AESA/avionics are gonna be most likely Chinese as European's are not willing to share codes due to China factor. The Turks were very happy to share and work with PAF so that's why their pods are now integrated.