Pakistan Air Force to receive first 12 JF-17B combat aircraft ‘in near future’

[Zarvan]

A JF-17B aircraft is pictured taxiing out for a test flight test from PAC Kamra in late January 2020. Source: Alan Warnes

Deliveries of the first 12 of 26 twin-seat JF-17B Thunder multirole combat aircraft on order for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) are expected to commence "in the near future", PAF officials have told Jane's .

Eight of these aircraft were built at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, while the remaining four were constructed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) in China, where the aircraft type is known as the FC-1 Xiaolong.

The aircraft, several of which are equipped with aerial refuelling probes, had been rolled out at PAC Kamra in late December 2019 during a ceremony that was also attended by the PAF's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan. Delivery of the remaining JF-17Bs is expected to be completed by 2021.

Speaking to Jane's on 20 January, ACM Khan explained that the JF-17Bs will help to streamline the PAF's training process for the Thunder. "The JF-17 pilots are currently being posted to Lockheed Martin F-16, Chengdu F-7PG or Dassault Mirage IIIEA ROSE aircraft before converting to the JF-17," he said. "But they will start going straight to a JF-17 OCU [operational conversion unit] after completing their advanced jet training." ACM Khan added that this "will ensure that pilots transitioning to the Sino-Pakistani jet are a lot younger than they are now".

The JF-17B prototype made its first flight in China in April 2017.

Meanwhile, the PAF revealed that after a lengthy evaluation the air-cooled Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) KLJ-7A active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar has been selected for the Block III variant of the JF-17/ FC-1 Xiaolong, the first prototype of which made its maiden flight on 17 December from CAIG's production facility at Chengdu-Huangtianba. PAC Kamra's newly appointed chairman, Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali, said a second Block III prototype will assist in May with the test and evaluation process.

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https://www.janes.com/article/94094...irst-12-jf-17b-combat-aircraft-in-near-future

 

[GumNaam]

Here come the growlers & the prowlers!

reader in pieces rafale!

 

[Path-Finder]

I hope it is this with Side plate scanning. edit! That is CETC and NREIT is this;

 

[Amigator]

So KLJ-7A Selected!

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

Dual seater looks beautiful of J17B. . While KLJ-7A AESA selected for Block-III. Great news.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Finally the AESA selection is confirmed.

Fantastic news.

 

[aliyusuf]

AFAIK, the only air-cooled version in the running was the LETRI LKF601E. Because it was the only option about which it was specifically mentioned that it was air-cooled. This is the first time I am hearing of an air-cooled KLJ-7A. Also, of late, Janes have on occasion been known to get it wrong. Lets wait for confirmation/corroboration from another source.

 

[GumNaam]

So does the JF-17B have the KLJ7-A or not?

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

A great news!!! I think air-cooled versions of AESA systems are OK for blocks I & II too. If so, it means tons of EW & A-2-A assets can proliferate the Pak air....

 

[Gripen9]

Here come the growlers & the prowlers!

reader in pieces rafale!

Wild Wiesels

 

[Trailer23]

You know whats really funny...

We've all been talking about the AESA Radar for the Block III for a long time now, and its revealed (officially) in a article which relates to the B-Variant.

Kinda like, "Oh by the way..."

@Hodor @airomerix

 

[Deino]

why again a new thread if there is already one??? ... only for a news report?

 

[khanasifm]

 

[HRK]

View attachment 603577

video link ..... ???

 

[Shah_Deu]

A JF-17B aircraft is pictured taxiing out for a test flight test from PAC Kamra in late January 2020. Source: Alan Warnes

Deliveries of the first 12 of 26 twin-seat JF-17B Thunder multirole combat aircraft on order for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) are expected to commence "in the near future", PAF officials have told Jane's .

Eight of these aircraft were built at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, while the remaining four were constructed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) in China, where the aircraft type is known as the FC-1 Xiaolong.

The aircraft, several of which are equipped with aerial refuelling probes, had been rolled out at PAC Kamra in late December 2019 during a ceremony that was also attended by the PAF's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan. Delivery of the remaining JF-17Bs is expected to be completed by 2021.

Speaking to Jane's on 20 January, ACM Khan explained that the JF-17Bs will help to streamline the PAF's training process for the Thunder. "The JF-17 pilots are currently being posted to Lockheed Martin F-16, Chengdu F-7PG or Dassault Mirage IIIEA ROSE aircraft before converting to the JF-17," he said. "But they will start going straight to a JF-17 OCU [operational conversion unit] after completing their advanced jet training." ACM Khan added that this "will ensure that pilots transitioning to the Sino-Pakistani jet are a lot younger than they are now".

The JF-17B prototype made its first flight in China in April 2017.

Meanwhile, the PAF revealed that after a lengthy evaluation the air-cooled Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) KLJ-7A active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar has been selected for the Block III variant of the JF-17/ FC-1 Xiaolong, the first prototype of which made its maiden flight on 17 December from CAIG's production facility at Chengdu-Huangtianba. PAC Kamra's newly appointed chairman, Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali, said a second Block III prototype will assist in May with the test and evaluation process.

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To read the full article, Client Login
(336 of 508 words)

https://www.janes.com/article/94094...irst-12-jf-17b-combat-aircraft-in-near-future

Great news indeed. Choosing of an air cooled variant of AESA Radar is the main thing; whether it is KLJ-7A or LETRI LKF601E is secondary. Since the liquid cooled variants are more energy intensive due to the requirement of auxiliary coolant pumps which would result in extra energy load on the already underpowered jet and also weighs more due to a radiator (heat exchanger) and all the coolant hoses and pipes, it makes perfect sense and a good decision on PAF's end!