Pakistan to induct upgraded JF-17 Thunder combat Aircraft

The Chinese Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) developed JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft’s upgraded version named JF-17 Block III will be inducted by Islamabad in 2020. The productions of Block I and Block II of the combat aircraft began in the year 2006 and 2013 respectively, with a twin-seater variant was JF-17B was also produced in tandem with the Block II. According to the media reports, the Block III of JF-17 will feature technologies such as larger holographic wide-angle heads-up display, advanced warning system of infrared missile approach, and an integrated cockpit display from the Chinese top-notch J-20 fighter aircraft.

The upgraded JF-17 Block III will feature advance technology of China’s superior J-20 fighter aircraft. The maiden run of the JF-17 Block III was conducted in China’s Sichuan province in December 2019. The Pakistan Air Force at present is reportedly having a combine 85 JF-17 Block I and Block II combat aircrafts deployed.  The Block III will have a total of 50 JF-17 aircraft that will be inducted by 2024.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2020