The Pakistan Air Force showcased this early production model of the JF-17 at the Paris Air Show in 2015. Janes and Patrick Allen
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has officially unveiled, for the first time, a model of the next generation of its Next-Gen JF-17 PFX “Thunder’ fighter aircraft, developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).
The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 in Karachi, which concluded on 22 November, featured the JF-17 PFX, also known as the Pakistan Fighter Experimental.
During IDEAS 2024, PAF officers characterized the Next-Gen JF-17 PFX as a fighter aircraft belonging to the 4.5+ generation category. We anticipate completing the type’s development before the decade ends.
High-ranking officials from the Pakistani government informed Janes that the JF-17 PFX will feature air-to-air missiles (AAMs) with an extended range compared to previous iterations of the JF-17. Additionally, Pakistan plans to manufacture the radar system for the PFX domestically.
We anticipate that Pakistan will acquire long-range air-to-air missiles (AAMs) for integration into the JF-17 PFX, which includes China’s PL-15 missile.
In 2022, Pakistan started to receive PL-15 air-to-air missiles intended for installation on the JF-17C Block III, the newest version of the fighter aircraft. PAC unveiled this model at its production site in Kamra, north of Islamabad, in 2023.
The PAF has stated that the Block III aircraft offers numerous enhanced capabilities compared to the previous Block II version. The PAF states that these features include improved maneuverability, a longer range, and better combat capabilities.
Additional Block III improvements feature a decrease in the aircraft’s radar cross-section, achieved through increased use of composites along with enhanced avionics.
For additional details, kindly refer to the PAC JF-17 Thunder.
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