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In November, the Pakistan Air Power (PAF) introduced its newly inducted JF-17 Block-III to the 2023 Dubai Air Present, marking the most recent Thunder variant’s worldwide debut. The Block-III unit belonged to the No. 16 Squadron (“Black Panthers”) and was accompanied by a pair of Block-II plane.
The Block-III is the most recent iteration of the JF-17. Not solely does the Block-III introduce plenty of new sub-systems to the Thunder fleet – equivalent to energetic electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, helmet-mounted show and sight (HMD/S) methods, and digital countermeasures (ECM) suites – however it’s also primarily based on an improved platform. For instance, the Block-III and twin-seat JF-17B launched a three-axis fly-by-wire (FBW) flight management system to exchange the hybrid FBW within the Block-I and Block-II. There have been additionally reviews of the PAF even contemplating altering the engine from the Klimov RD-93 to a Chinese language turbofan.[1] The PAF additionally revealed that the Block-III presents “superior maneuverability, prolonged vary, and enhanced fight capabilities.”[2]
The Block-III’s static show included the commensurate set of SD-10 beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles (AAM), PL-5EII within-visual-range (WVR) AAMs, C-802A anti-ship cruising missiles (ASCM), laser-guided bombs (LGB), and unguided bombs, the PAF additionally showcased the Aselsan ASELPOD focusing on pod.
Right now, the JF-17 is the PAF’s workhorse multirole fighter. Since its induction in 2010, the PAF procured 50 Block-Is, 62 Block-IIs, and 26 two-seat JF-17Bs. At the moment, the PAF has 30 Block-Is on order.
An Superior, But Accessible, ITAR-Free Possibility
Since its inception, the PAF’s supposed purpose for the JF-17 was to accumulate an accessible platform to leverage up to date applied sciences and weapons. Within the 2000s, the PAF’s purpose was to disseminate BVRAAMs throughout most of its fighter fleet, a functionality that was, albeit as much as that time, lacking in Pakistan’s premier fighter on the time, the Common Dynamics F-16A/B Block-15. Right now, the PAF desires to configure a major bulk of its fleet with AESA radars, HMD/S, ECM (both built-in or by way of a pod), and a wider assortment of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, particularly stand-off vary weapons (SOW) and sensible munitions…
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For Extra Pakistan Air Power Information and Evaluation, See:
[1] Alan Warnes. “Chinese language-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Fighter Will Fly in 2017.” Aviation Week & House Expertise. 13 February 2017.
[2] Akhil Kadidal. “Parting shot: PAF inducts JF-17 Block III plane.” Janes. 01 December 2023. URL: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/parting-shot-paf-inducts-jf-17-block-iii-aircraft
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