PAF to induct first squadron of JF-17 jets next year
By Hanif Khalid
ISLAMABAD:
The first squadron of ultramodern fighter planes, JF-17 Thunder, would be inducted in the Pakistan Air Force fleet in the middle of next year.
This squadron will consist of six supersonic warplanes being jointly built by Pakistan and China. Engineers and technicians from both the countries have started building five prototype fighter planes. The prototype project is likely to be completed within a couple of months.
A highly placed source has confirmed that the PAF would induct 150 JF-17 fighters in phases. These planes would be equipped with latest avionics, most of which are being jointly developed by the two countries. These would be inducted in the PAF to replace Chinese origin warplanes, A-5 and F-7, which are completing their stated life. It is learnt that the China Air Force would induct more than 500 JF-17 fighter planes during coming years.
The project was conceived during the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s first regime in the early 90s. The first test flight of the supersonic jet was successfully conducted in September 2003 in China. It is learnt that the production cost of this medium technology fighter would be significantly less than the international market price of such state-of-the-art planes.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/mar2005-daily/09-03-2005/main/main17.htm
Have they finalise which engine to be used on JF-17? RD-93 or WS-13?
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