Sujet: Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder Dim 26 Avr - 20:47
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Official designation: Fighter China-1 (FC-1) Xiaolong PAF designation: Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder Function: Air-superiority; Ground attack Designer: Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611 Institute) Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry (Group) Corporation Ltd. (CAC) Maiden flight: 25 August 2003 Operator: Pakistani Air Force Estimated cost: US$15~20 million The FC-1 (Fighter China-1) Xiaolong is the result of a joint Sino-Pakistani development programme that started in 1999, with each side contributing 50% of the total development cost. Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China is the prime contractor for aircraft development and manufacture, while Pakistani Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is the main partner responsible for post-sale service and maintenance, as well as the production of some parts for the aircraft in Pakistan. The aircraft was designed by Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611 Institute). Russia supplied its Klimov RD-93 turbofan jet engine for the aircraft. The initial order was from the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) for eight aircraft, which were delivered in 2007~08. A further order for 42 aircraft worth about US$800 million was signed in March 2009. The aircraft is currently being built by CAC at a rate of 15 aircraft per annum, and this will increase to 30 aircraft per annum later. The total number required by the PAF could be as many as 250, worth US$3~5 billion. Several other countries also showed interest in the aircraft. Despite previous reports suggesting that the FC-1 would also be equipped by the PLAAF, no order has been reported so far. http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/fc1.asp _____________________________________________________________ French authorities have given approval for industry to offer a Thales RC 400 airborne fire control radar and MBDA Mica air-to-air missiles to Pakistan, to be fitted on the JF-17 jet fighter built under license from China, a Pakistani official said. “They are cleared for export negotiation,” the official said. The sale has raised concerns of a potential breach of the EU military embargo on China. Pakistan and France have drawn up a memorandum of understanding in which Islamabad promises not to release technology to China, the Pakistani official said. French industry submitted prices about a year and a half ago for the gear and these were no longer valid. With export clearance, commercial negotiations can take place. The Délégation Générale pour l’Armement arms agency, MBDA and Thales declined comment. Source: DefenseNews.com ______________________________________________________________ Serial production of JF-17 aircraft to start soon, NA body told ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) would soon start serial production of JF-17 Thunder in collaboration with China, Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Defence Production was informed on Thursday. The committee, headed by Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, visited the PAC and was given a detailed briefing on the ongoing projects. PAC Chairman Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhry gave a detailed briefing on the projects, informing them that the PAC has set up the factory for initiating the serial aircraft’s production. He said PAC had the capability to manufacture 75 percent of avionics and 58 percent of air-frame of the fighter aircraft. About other projects being carried out by PAC, he said facility had been overhauling around 180 engines of various fighter jets and 60 aircraft a year. He also said the Mirage Rebuild Factory, which is a part of PAC has been rebuilding 35-year old Mirage aircraft, which were bought as scrap from various countries. The chairman as well as members of the committee appreciated the work being carried out at PAC. They assured their full support to the management of PAC. app http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\01\02\story_2-1-2009_pg7_26 ______________________________________________________________ French arms deal with Pakistan risks US ire By Federico Bordonaro The news last month that Pakistan is likely to get French air-to-air missiles (AAMs) and radar for its JF-17 fighter aircraft has raised some eyebrows in the US. The reason is that MICA AAMs produced by MBDA and RC-400 multimission radar built by Thales may enrich China's rapidly growing military capabilities if sold to Pakistan, since Islamabad is developing its fighter plane jointly with Beijing. The JF-17 is a lightweight multi-role fighter co-developed by Pakistan
Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation under a joint venture of China and Pakistan. Thus, some observers say, the widely debated European Union arm systems ban against China may finally be circumvented, in such a way that it could damage US efforts to keep Beijing's air power at disadvantage vis-a-vis Taiwan. As some Indian and Pakistani sources have pointed out, French-built Mirage fighters owned by Taiwan are actually equipped with such missiles and radar. Taiwan and India are obviously concerned with China's military build-up. If China gets the chance to closely look at French advanced technology in possession of Taipei, Beijing could theoretically become capable of countering it effectively. However, it must be noted that the issue of military technology transfer is fairly complicated, and that Pakistan's acquisition of French systems is not automatically a dramatic reinforcement of Chinese capabilities, unlike some reports suggest. In fact, if French companies sell radar and missiles to Pakistan, they don't sell the know-how necessary to build such systems from scratch. Clearly, bits of the source code needed to integrate the components into the JF-17 will be transferred by the French to the Pakistanis. Missile-radar integration and avionics will be developed by France and Pakistan, with the Chinese contribution focused on hardware. This means that if Pakistan transfers such code to Beijing, China could actually become capable of integrating the two systems into its fighter jets (like the J-10), although it will not include the JF-17 in its air force. But it does not mean that Beijing will be able to produce such systems. Therefore, the key variable here is how many MICAs and RC-400s France sells to Pakistan. Of course, if Islamabad buys new series of them after the first acquisition, it is conceivable that China could get its hand on them in the future, independently of the JF-17 development. Rumors of the deaL It is certainly no secret that France has eyed Indian and Pakistani defense markets as a great opportunity to expand its strong military-industrial sector. For years, French companies have provided weapons and systems to both Delhi and Islamabad. However, the deal regarding the JF-17 has been a difficult one, mainly for political-diplomatic reasons. This explains the lack of information from France and the extreme cautiousness in all aspects of the current arrangements. After some leading British and US publications highlighted the danger of sensitive military technology transfer to China via Pakistan, officials from MBDA and Thales refused to comment on the deal. France's Defense Minister Herve Morin subtly conveyed the Paris position nonetheless, as he replied to Associated Press journalists that "to my knowledge, there is no arms embargo for Pakistan". Back in September 2004, Jane's Defence Weekly's special correspondent Robert Sae-Liu reported that the choice of a multimode pulse-Doppler radar for the JF-17 fighter was reported in 2003 as "involving a competition between Phazotron of Russia with the Kopyo system, Galileo (FIAR) of Italy with the Grifo S-7, and Thales of France with the RC 400". Hence, a short history of the JF-17 project unveils Thales' interest. The simple fact that two French companies are involved in the issue worries the US. Paris has long lobbied within the EU for lifting of the arms embargo against Beijing imposed by Europe after the 1989 Tienanmen incident. Most French Gaullists and Socialists have pushed for a lifting of the ban. The reason is twofold. On one hand, the French defense industry is aggressively seeking expansion in Asia's markets, and China is arguably the most interesting of them. On the other hand, Paris cultivates the geopolitical ambition of creating a multipolar world in which the EU will progressively acquire strategic autonomy from the United States. However, President Nicolas Sarkozy's election in May 2007 has started an apparently rapid and powerful rapprochement between Paris and Washington on a number of issues. Interestingly, some French analysts who deal with so-called "economic warfare" dynamics have recently criticized France's pro-China orientation. They have even lambasted civilian air industry deals with Beijing made by Airbus, reasoning that French companies that only seek market opportunities will eventually jeopardize European technological superiority over China. Up until this year, though, Washington has successfully counter-lobbied France's efforts to persuade its EU partners about the anachronism of the embargo, and the ban is still valid despite numerous predictions of its imminent demise. Now, Sino-Pakistani military cooperation, which is likely to remain strong also in light of the growing US-Indian strategic partnership, could complicate the situation even more. Washington furious? While on the surface the Franco-American reconciliation is fully underway, the reality is slightly more complicated. Paris' hard, pro-US stance on Iran's nuclear issue is one thing; another matter is how France and the US perceive the international system and balance of power. Sarkozy's position on the arms ban against Beijing will possibly become clearer after the French president visits Beijing later this year, but it is unlikely that France will completely abandon its dream of a more assertive and autonomous Europe when it comes to security and defense policy. Quoted by the Pakistani daily Dawn on September 14, British defense analyst and Asia specialist Alexander Neill said that Washington may have a "quite vicious" reaction if France does not reconsider selling such systems to Islamabad. However, according to various sources, France and Pakistan will likely reach an agreement on the missiles and radar. It is thus possible that China will be able to exploit yet another fault line in French and American diplomacy. Whether or not the development of the JF-17 will allow China to acquire military systems and technology that will boost its power in relation to Taiwan, as the US fears, such a program will likely cause a dilemma for France: by proceeding with enhanced cooperation with Pakistan, Paris risks not only triggering Washington's ire, but also upsetting India and Taiwan - thereby complicating its future defense marketing with two important buyers. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IJ10Df01.html
c'est sur qu'une participation marocaine à ce programme ne serait pas de refus,c'est un chasseur parfait pour nos besoins,en plus pas cher 15M $ l'unité
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Sujet: Re: Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder Jeu 17 Mar - 18:10
pour le JF-17 au Maroc, il y a un topic dédié
jf16 General de Division
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Une variante biplace de l’avion de combat sino-pakistanais JF-17 « Thunder » est actuellement en cours de développement, un premier vol est prévu pour la fin 2016.
JF-17 B :
Un responsable du programme pakistanais confirme que la variante sera désignée JF-17B. Il est développé en réponse aux besoins d’un client, en vue de l’entraînement pour la transition sur le modèle monoplace.
Le seul changement important apporté à l'avion en dehors du siège éjectable supplémentaire est une nageoire dorsale qui contient un réservoir de carburant supplémentaire. L’objectif étant que le JF-17B dispose d’une capacité de carburant comparable à la version monoplace.
Rappel :
Le JF-17 «Thunder» (Pakistan) ou FC-1 «Xiaolong» (Chine) est un chasseur monoréacteur propulsé par une version chinoise du réacteur RD-93 dérivé du RD-33 russe, qui équipe le MiG-29. L’avion a effectué son premier vol en septembre 2003. Avion multirôle d’un faible coût, soit environ 20 millions de dollars, il est équipé d’une avionique moderne par rapport aux A-5C et F-7P (dérivés des MiG-19/21). L’armement comprend deux canons GSh-23 (23mm), jusqu’à 3.700kg de charge utile. Doté d’armement occidental pour la version JF-17 comme des Sidewinder AIM-9P ou des PL-7/8/9 chinois. La version chinoise dispose d’une capacité de tir à grande distance avec le missile PL-12/SD-10.
Chine & Pakistan préparent les nouvelles versions du JF-17 !
Le partenariat sino-pakistanais pour le développement de l’avion de combat JF-17 « Thunder » (FC-1 «Xiaolong» en Chine) va s’accélérer dans les prochaines mois. D’une part, avec la version biplace et de l’autre avec le lancement du nouveau standard BlockIII.
Le JF-17B :
Annoncé officiellement au printemps 2015, la version biplace JF-17B devrait semble-t-il effectuer son premier vol d’ici la fin mars de cette année. Le JF-17B est développé en réponse aux besoins d’un client, en vue de l’entraînement pour la transition sur le modèle monoplace.
Le seul changement important apporté à l'avion en dehors du siège éjectable supplémentaire est une nageoire dorsale qui contient un réservoir de carburant supplémentaire. L’objectif étant que le JF-17B dispose d’une capacité de carburant comparable à la version monoplace.
Lancement du standard BlockIII :
Les partenaires sino-pakistanais AVIC et PakistanComlex (PAC) préparent le lancement du nouveau standard BlockIII de l’avion qui doit être doté d’un nouveau radar à antenne électronique de type AESA produit en Chine à Nanjing. L’avion disposera également d’un capteur IRST et le pilote pourra disposer d’un viseur de casque. De plus, l’avion pourra évoluer dans un environnement de guerre électronique moderne (Net Centric Warfare Environment) et ceci pour un prix relativement raisonnable. Officiellement la Chine et le Pakistan espèrent faire voler le BlockIII en 2018 et débuter sa commercialisation dès 2021.
A propos du JF-17 « Thunder » / FC-1 Xiaolong :
Le JF-17 «Thunder» (Pakistan) ou FC-1 «Xiaolong» (Chine) est une association sino-pakistanaise. Conçu en Chine par le constructeur d’Etat AVIC, il est co-financé par le Pakistan et produit par PakistanComlex (PAC). Chasseur mono-réacteur propulsé par une version chinoise du réacteur RD-93 dérivé du RD-33 russe, qui équipe le MiG-29. L’avion a effectué son premier vol en septembre 2003. Avion multirôle d’un faible coût, soit environ 20 millions de dollars, il est équipé d’une avionique moderne par rapport aux A-5C et F-7P (dérivés des MiG-19/21).
L’armement comprend deux canons GSh-23 (23mm), jusqu’à 3.700kg/£ 8150 de charge utile. Doté d’armement occidental pour la version JF-17 comme des Sidewinder AIM-9P ou des PL-7/8/9 chinois. La version chinoise dispose d’une capacité de tir à grande distance avec le missile PL-12/SD-10.
Le partenariat sino-pakistanais pour le développement de l’avion de combat JF-17 vient de réussir le premier vol de la variante biplace, le JF-17B pakistanais (FC-1B pour la version chinoise). Selon les informations, ce vol a aurait eu lieu hier.
La nouvelle variante biplace du combattant JF-17/FC-1 semble avoir effectué son vol inaugural depuis les installations de l’avionneur chinois de CAC à Chengdu. Les images récemment publiées confirment que cette version dispose d’un plus grand stabilisateur vertical. De plus, cette variante est dotée d’une colonne dorsale plus grande pour un ajout de carburant.
Par ailleurs, selon les informations transmises par le partenariat industriel, l’avion dispose d’une surface à l’aire des ailes plus grande que la version monoplace ainsi qu'un nez légèrement modifié. L’avion aurait également reçu un nouveau système de commande de vol « fly-by-wire » qui a contribué à réduire le poids.
A propos du JF-17 « Thunder » / FC-1 Xiaolong :
Le JF-17 «Thunder» (Pakistan) ou FC-1 «Xiaolong» (Chine) est une association sino-pakistanaise. Conçu en Chine par le constructeur d’Etat AVIC, il est co-financé par le Pakistan et produit par PakistanComlex (PAC). Chasseur mono-réacteur propulsé par une version chinoise du réacteur RD-93 dérivé du RD-33 russe, qui équipe le MiG-29. L’avion a effectué son premier vol en septembre 2003. Avion multirôle d’un faible coût, soit environ 20 millions de dollars, il est équipé d’une avionique moderne par rapport aux A-5C et F-7P (dérivés des MiG-19/21).
L’armement comprend deux canons GSh-23 (23mm), jusqu’à 3.700kg/£ 8150 de charge utile. Doté d’armement occidental pour la version JF-17 comme des Sidewinder AIM-9P ou des PL-7/8/9 chinois. La version chinoise dispose d’une capacité de tir à grande distance avec le missile PL-12/SD-10.
Photo : L’unique photo du JF-17B/FC-1B en vol @ Chine nouvelle
Huit mois après le premier vol du de la variante biplace du JF-17B/FC-1B, le Le partenariat sino-pakistanais a effectué le vol inaugural du second appareil. Comme le premier exemplaire, l’avion s’est envolé des installations de l’avionneur chinois de CAC à Chengdu.
Le JF-17B/FC-1B :
Le JF-17B/FC-1B dispose d’une surface à l’aire des ailes plus grande que la version monoplace, ainsi qu'un nez légèrement modifié. L’avion a également reçu un nouveau système de commande de vol « fly-by-wire » qui a contribué à réduire le poids.
A propos du JF-17 « Thunder » / FC-1 Xiaolong :
Le JF-17 «Thunder» (Pakistan) ou FC-1 «Xiaolong» (Chine) est une association sino-pakistanaise. Conçu en Chine par le constructeur d’Etat AVIC, il est co-financé par le Pakistan et produit par PakistanComlex (PAC). Chasseur mono-réacteur propulsé par une version chinoise du réacteur RD-93 dérivé du RD-33 russe, qui équipe le MiG-29. L’avion a effectué son premier vol en septembre 2003. Avion multirôle d’un faible coût, soit environ 20 millions de dollars, il est équipé d’une avionique moderne par rapport aux A-5C et F-7P (dérivés des MiG-19/21).
L’armement comprend deux canons GSh-23 (23mm), jusqu’à 3.700kg de charge utile. Doté d’armement occidental pour la version JF-17 comme des Sidewinder AIM-9P ou des PL-7/8/9 chinois. La version chinoise dispose d’une capacité de tir à grande distance avec le missile PL-12/SD-10.
Photos : 1 le second exemplaire 2 le premier @ CCTV
Le 1er avril étant derrière nous, je vous propose de revenir à des nouvelles plus sérieuses. L’association sino-pakistanaise entre le constructeur d’Etat chinois AVIC en collaboration avec PakistanComlex (PAC) annonce la réalisation du JF-17 Block III, soit une version dotée d’un radar à balayage électronique AESA.
Radar chinois :
Pour venir équiper le JF-17, l'Institut de recherche en technologie électronique de Nanjing (NRIET) a développé le radar à balayage électronique (AES) KLJ-7A. Une maquette du KLJ-7A a été exposée par China Electronics Technology Group lors du salon aéronautique de Zhuhai en 2016 déjà.
Le radar AESA chinois est capable de suivre des dizaines de cibles et d'engager plusieurs d'entre elles simultanément, ainsi que d'avoir une bonne capacité de résistance au brouillage. Le KLJ-7A dispose de 1'000 émetteurs et récepteurs T/R, avec probablement 11 modes de fonctionnements avec une portée estimée à 170 km pour des cibles de 5 m² de SER.
Le remplacement du radar KLJ-7 à balayage mécanique de l'avion par un ensemble de type AESA est un élément clé de la configuration du Block III du JF-17, qui comprend également un poste de pilotage mis à jour et une meilleure avionique. Le radar pourrait également être utilisé pour améliorer les aéronefs en service dans la configuration des Block I et II.
L'ajout du radar AESA devrait stimuler les perspectives d'exportation de l’avion. Bien que le Pakistan et la société d'exportation chinoise CATIC aient activement promu le JF-17 sur le marché international pendant des années, le succès reste très limité pour l’instant.
A propos du JF-17 « Thunder » / FC-1 Xiaolong :
Le JF-17 «Thunder» (Pakistan) ou FC-1 «Xiaolong» (Chine) est une association sino-pakistanaise. Conçu en Chine par le constructeur d’Etat AVIC, il est cofinancé par le Pakistan et produit par Pakistan Comlex (PAC). Chasseur mono-réacteur propulsé par une version chinoise du réacteur RD-93, dérivé du RD-33 russe, qui équipe le MiG-29. L’avion a effectué son premier vol en septembre 2003. Avion multirôle d’un faible coût, soit environ 20 millions de dollars, il est équipé d’une avionique moderne par rapport aux A-5C et F-7P (dérivés des MiG-19/21).
L’armement comprend un canons GSh-23 (23mm), jusqu’à 3’700kg de charge utile. Doté d’armement occidental pour la version JF-17 comme des Sidewinder AIM-9P ou des PL-7/8/9 et PL-12/SD-10 chinois.
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Sujet: Re: Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder Mer 7 Nov - 2:13
Citation :
LKF601E, an airborne FCS AESA radar from the Chinese Aviation Industry Cooperation (AVIC) was unveiled at the AirshowChina event. The new radar is designed for new and upgraded platforms such as the JF-17 and FTC-2000G ‘export fighters’.
https://defense-update.com/20181106_lfk601e.html
_________________ "La stratégie est comme l'eau qui fuit les hauteurs et qui remplit les creux" SunTzu
jf16 General de Division
messages : 38133 Inscrit le : 20/10/2010 Localisation : france Nationalité : Médailles de mérite :
messages : 38133 Inscrit le : 20/10/2010 Localisation : france Nationalité : Médailles de mérite :
Sujet: Re: Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder Mer 13 Mar - 19:32
Citation :
12/03/2019
Le JF-17 « Thunder » BlockIII se précise !
Le nouveau standard BlockIII de l’avion de combat sino-pakistanais JF-17 « Thunder » est entré en développement selon son concepteur Yang Wei. Ce nouveau standard verra la capacité de guerre informatisée du JF-17 et ses armes améliorées.
"Tous les travaux connexes sont en cours", a déclaré M. Yang lors d'une conférence de presse réunissant des législateurs et des conseillers politiques chinois dans le domaine de l'aviation, a rapporté le journal China Aviation News.
Radar AESA :
La conférence de presse a également permis de confirmer que le JF-17 sera doté d’un radar à antenne à balayage électronique (AESA) produit à Nanjing capable de collecter plus d'informations au combat, permettant à l'avion de combat d’engager des cibles plus éloignées et simultanées. Un système d'affichage et de visée monté sur le casque devrait venir compléter le tout.
Le Pakistan, principal utilisateur du JF-17, pourrait également partager des informations entre le chasseur et d'autres plates-formes, tirant parti de l'ensemble du système de combat pour se défendre efficacement contre des adversaires puissants comme l'Inde.
Normalement la version pakistanaise BlockIII sera produite de manière indigène. On attend le premier prototype pour 2020.
A propos du JF-17 « Thunder » / FC-1 Xiaolong :
Le JF-17 «Thunder» (Pakistan) ou FC-1 «Xiaolong» (Chine) est une association sino-pakistanaise. Conçu en Chine par le constructeur d’Etat AVIC, il est cofinancé par le Pakistan et produit par Pakistan Comlex (PAC). Chasseur mono-réacteur propulsé par une version chinoise du réacteur RD-93, dérivé du RD-33 russe, qui équipe le MiG-29. L’avion a effectué son premier vol en septembre 2003. Avion multirôle d’un faible coût, soit environ 20 millions de dollars, il est équipé d’une avionique moderne par rapport aux A-5C et F-7P (dérivés des MiG-19/21).
L’armement comprend un canons GSh-23 (23mm), jusqu’à 3.700kg de charge utile. Doté d’armement occidental pour la version JF-17 comme des Sidewinder AIM-9P ou des PL-7/8/9 chinois. La version chinoise dispose d’une capacité de tir à grande distance avec le missile PL-12/SD-10.
Le Myanmar et le Nigéria sont les deux clients de l’avion à l'exportation.
Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Block 3 Next Generation Fighter Released
29 Desember 2019
JF-17 Block 3 (all photos : Sina)
The first images of the JF-17 Block 3 ‘4+ generation’ fighter were unveiled on December 28th, with a prototype shown taxiing on a factory runway in China before taking its first flight. The fighter represents the fourth variant of the JF-17, a fighter jointly developed by China and Pakistan from the early 2000s which saw its first flight in august 2003. The JF-17 was designed exclusively for export and does not serve in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, although over 100 of the older JF-17 Block 1 and Block 2 variants are currently in service in the Pakistani Air Force with smaller numbers having been sold to Myanmar and Nigeria. There has been considerable speculation among analysts regarding the Block 3 variant’s capabilities, with the design balancing the need to maintain low production and operational costs with the importance of maximising performance by integrating next generation technologies - many of which are extremely costly.
The new fighter's most outstanding feature appears to be its elongated nose, which is intended to house an active electronically scanned array radar that is not only more sophisticated but also considerably larger than the radars on prior JF-17 variants. AESA radars are not only considerably more powerful than the passive radars on older JF-17 variants, but they also leave a lower radar signature and are less prone to jamming. The fighters are expected to deploy a number of newer munition types including PL-15 air to air missiles, which a large and powerful AESA radar is critical to guiding against faraway targets. The PL-15 was developed to equip China's own AESA radar equipped next generation fighters, including the J-10C, J-16 and J-20. The next generation missile retains an engagement range of up to 200km, allowing it to comfortably outrange missiles such as the R-77 and MICA used by Indian MiG-29 and Rafale fighters.
The JF-17 Block 3 is expected to be considerably more costly than prior variants, but its next generation capabilities have the potential to make it far more successful on the export market. Other than a new radar and next generation avionics and electronic warfare systems, other features of the JF-17 Block 3 design such as its rumoured infra red tracking system, new engine and high composite airframe all have yet to be confirmed. The fighter's new air inlets, however, indicate that a new engine has been installed - possibly an enhanced derivative of the RD-33MK which powers the Russian MiG-35. The Sino-Pakistani fighter is expected to improve on the already considerable range of its predecessor, and may also be compatible with new classes of cruise missile to replace the YJ-12. Paired with its considerable range, this could make the JF-17 Block 3 a formidable maritime strike fighter. The evolution of the JF-17 Block 3 program, and the date of its expected entry into service, remain uncertain, as does the scale of production in both China and Pakistan.
Pakistan’s JF-17 Aircraft ‘Top Contender’ For Malaysian Fighter Jet Contract
In an interesting twist to the Malaysian Air Force’s hunt for a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the China-Pakistani JF-17 fighter ‘Thunder’ appears to be a top contender, as per reports.
According to The Korea Times, Malaysian officials have confirmed that the Pakistani jet is competing with its South Korean counterpart for the requirement.
“Despite interest from a diverse group of manufacturers, the FA-50 and JF-17 are the finalists,” an unnamed official told the Korean newspaper.
Interestingly, it was reported earlier that Kuala Lumpur is additionally eyeing India’s indigenously-developed LCA Tejas Mk-1A. Reportedly, a Malaysian team would also be visiting India in the next two months to have a tour of the Tejas production facilities.
The LCA Tejas Mk-1A and JF-17 ‘Thunder’ have generated an interesting debate among military enthusiasts and defense experts worldwide.
However, diplomatic hurdles including the not-so-cordial ties between India and Malaysia have made it difficult for Tejas to make it through the Malaysian competition.
The main contenders include China-Pakistan’s JF-17, South Korea’s T-50 Golden Eagle, Russian YAK-130, BAE Systems’ armed Hawk, Tejas Mk-1A, and the Swedish Gripen.
The JF-17
This single-engine China-Pakistan fighter is a fourth-generation lightweight combat jet that can be used for multiple roles, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship, and aerial reconnaissance.
Unlike its arch-rival HAL Tejas, the JF-17 is comparatively successful when one looks at its deployment in combat zones. It has taken part in counter-terrorism operations in northwest Pakistan as well as in 2019 ‘Operation Swift Retort’ in response to India’s Balakot airstrike to dismantle terror infrastructure.
The aircraft has a top speed of Mach 1.6 with the ability to supercruise. The JF-17 is able to deploy diverse ordnance, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, and has an internal 23 mm Russian GSh-23-2 twin-barrel autocannon.
KAI’s FA-50 ‘Golden Eagle’
After the failure of exports to Argentina due to the British embargo, this deal could compensate for the lost opportunity.
Jointly developed by South Korea’s aerospace company KAI and the American defense giant Lockheed Martin, the FA-50 is the fighter variant of T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft and has been exported to Iraq and the Philippines. This is also on offer to countries such as Croatia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
The FA-50 has seen operational combat deployment mainly with the Philippine Air Force and has been used extensively in its fight against terrorists, including in the famous Battle of Marawi. On January 26, 2017, two FA-50PHs conducted the first combat sorties by the type, in a nighttime attack on terrorist hideouts in Butig, Lanao del Sur in Mindanao in the Philippines.
The aircraft has a top speed of Mach 1.5 and can carry a wide variety of western air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
_________________ Les peuples ne meurent jamais de faim mais de honte.