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CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder

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The Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder, also known as the Fighter China-1 (FC-1) Fierce Dragon [1] in China, is a single-seat multirole fighter aircraft developed by China and Pakistan. The first two aircraft were delivered to the Pakistan Air Force on 2007-03-12.[2] The JF-17/FC-1 is designed to be a cost-effective plane which can meet the tactical and strategic needs of the Pakistani Air Force.

Development

File:JF-17 on 23rd March 2007.jpg
JF-17 Thunder - First public appearance in Islamabad, on 23rd March 2007, during fly past of National Day Joint Services Parade.

The JF-17 is being built by China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The FC-1/JF-17 is the Chinese single-engine derivative of the Soviet-era MiG-29 (canceled by Soviet/Russian Air Force in 1979). The FC-1/JF-17 is derived from the "Super 7" project, and not the Project 33 (not to be confused with the MiG-33) or the failed Chengdu J-9. But it might be designated J-9 when it enters PLAAF operational service.

The project is expected to cost about US$500 million, divided equally between China and Pakistan, while each individual aircraft is expected to have a fly-away cost of US$15-20 million. The JF-17 Thunder development project has been completed in a period of four years.[3] Pakistan has announced that it will procure 150, but this may easily go up to 300. The JF-17 will replace Pakistan's MiG-21-derived Chengdu F-7, Nanchang A-5 (Q-5) and Mirage III/V currently in service. Other countries which have expressed interest in purchasing the JF-17 are Azerbaijan, Egypt, Malaysia[4], Bangladesh, Nigeria, Burma, Zimbabwe, Lebanon and Morocco .

History

File:14004096 200703230833355477800.jpg
JF-17 Thunder - 23rd March 2007, during fly past of National Day Joint Services Parade.
File:JF-17pak.jpg
Fly-past performance in the Pakistan Day Joint Services Parade in Islamabad

In 1986, China signed an agreement with Grumman to develop an upgrade for the J-7 known as the "Saber II", the replacement of the abandoned "Super 7" upgrade of J-7. The program was cancelled in 1990, primarily due to worsening relations with the U.S. following the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. However, CAC kept the program alive by providing low-level funding from its own resources.

After U.S. sanctions were imposed on Pakistan in 1990, Pakistan also became interested in the project.

The first prototype was rolled out on May 31, 2003, conducted its first taxi trials on July 1, and made its first flight on August 25 of the same year. Prototype 03 made its first flight in April 2004. On April 28, 2006, Prototype 04 made its first flight with fully operational avionics.

Serial production has begun in June 2006, and the first 16 aircraft will be rolled out in early 2007. Serial production during 2007-2008 will be at an annual 10-15 planes per year, while from 2009+ it will be at 25-30 planes per year.

The President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, declared in his Independence Day speech on August 14, 2006 that the JF-17 will be flying in Pakistani skies by 2007-03-23. The first 2 JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft were delivered to Pakistan Air Force on 2007-03-12 while the remainder of the first batch of 8 aircraft will arrive later in the same year[2]. The JF-17 Thunder aircraft had its first public appearance in Islamabad, on March 23, 2007 during a fly-past performance in the Pakistan Day Joint Services Parade in Islamabad.[5]

On 2007-03-31, Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said, "PAF would soon induct fourth and fifth generation high-tech fleet of fighter-bomber aircraft with the aim to modernize the country’s air force which includes the induction of 10 to 12 squadrons of JF-17 Thunder aircraft." He also said, during this year, six more JF-17 aircraft would be received from China, as in 2008 the serial production of the aircraft would commence at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra, Pakistan. The PAF Chief said, 15 aircraft would be manufactured in 2008, while 20 in the next year with the aim to achieve capability to manufacture 25 to 30 aircraft per year, also hinting the PAF was set to acquire up to 250 JF-17 Thunder aircraft.[6] [7]

The ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz in a recent press conference held in Islamabad, Pakistan after the visit of China termed the project as JF-17 was “Pakistan’s proud programme and a unique example of cooperation and friendship between the two countries”. He also said that serial production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft would soon start next year and Pakistan would like to sell fourth generation JF-17 Multirole Aircraft to those interested. The Prime Minister also confirmed that JF-17 Thunder aircraft in Pakistan had also completed 500 sorties.[8]

Design characteristics

Looking at the status of the development's work, the 4th prototype version of the JF-17 Thunder combat jet has successfully completed its first operational flight in Chengdu, China, on Wednesday, 2006-03-10.[9] The 4th prototype of the JF-17 Thunder combat jet is configured as a multi-role fighter-bomber and is capable of carrying multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The fighter jet is equipped with advanced electronics and weapons systems. Pakistan received the first consignment of 2 aircraft on 2007-03-23, while the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra will start manufacturing the JF-17 in 2008. China will start official production in June 2007.

4th prototype version is said to be redesigned with F-35 JSF style Divertless Supersonic Intakes (DSIs) being the most notable feature; according to Lockheed Martin, DSIs are more stealthy than other conventional air intakes as well as DSIs also divert turbulent boundary-layer airflow away from the engine inlet[10][11]

At the 6th Zhuhai Airshow in China, a Unit Training Device (UTD) appearing identical to the earlier mockup of the JF-17 was publicly displayed, and the manufacturer of the aircraft, along with other manufacturers of airborne weaponry, provided more detailed information on the projects:

Avionics

The 4th prototype includes advanced avionics features such as:

Cockpit

  • Advanced 4.5th generation EFIS with cockpit displays that are compatible with western systems such as those built by Rockwell Collins and Honeywell.
    • The current MIL-STD-1553B data bus can be readily replaced by MIL-STD-1773 fiber optics data bus upon customer's request.
    • The control panel consists of only 3 multi-function displays.
    • All information is processed and displayed on them.
    • The functions of each screen are exchangeable.
    • Brightness and contrast can be adjusted either automatically or manually.
    • Displays can also be adjusted to be compatible with night vision goggles.
    • Each screen can be re-defined individually.
    • HUD is a state-of-the-art system developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).
    • Many images/information can be displayed at the same time.
    • In mid-2007, Chinese state-run television station CCTV-7 aired the latest information on the EFIS of JF-17 with most conventional analogue dial indicators eliminated:
      • It is revealed that the EFIS of JF-17 consists of three large rectangular shaped color MFDs that appeared to be LCD. The MFD in the middle is in a lower position than the two on the side. Unlike most MFD with width greater than height, all MFDs on JF-17 appear to be rotated 90 degrees, i.e. with height much greater than width. A digital moving map display in Chinese is shown on the MFD to the right. However, other languages are also available, but it can be concluded for sure that English is definitely the dominant language.
      • There is a monochrome up-front control panel (UFCP) directly under the HUD, above the MFD in the middle. Control buttons are arranged to the left and the right sides of the UFCP, while there are three lines of display similar to that of civilian hand-held scientific calculators in the center, providing information such as dates in English. It appears that the displays of UFCP can only display information in English.
    • All HUD and head-down displays are compatible with the standard electro-optical targeting pod that is carried externally.
  • HOTAS control.
  • Intelligent avionics.
    • Avionics system is all-digital and fully integrated.
    • Distributed structure with open architecture.
      • Two independent but exchangeable (can back up each other) STD-MTL-1553B data buses connect all equipment, plus two powerful control computers (that can also back up each other).
      • Each computer controls one data bus.
      • The seat is inclined more than the standard 13/14 degrees.[citation needed]

Radar

Several radars have been tested onboard prototypes of JF-17, which includes:

  • Israeli Elta EL/M-2032 radar: Two delivered to China before the sales stopped under US pressure. At least one was installed on the first Chinese prototypes for test and evaluation. There are unconfirmed reports that at least one unit was lost when a prototype crashed.
  • Russian Phazotron Super Komar radar: This is a development of Komar (Gnat) radar Russian offered to upgrade Q-5 and J-7. The Komar (Gnat) itself, is a development of Phazotron Kopyo (Spear) radar offered for MiG-21-93/98, with newer electronics to drastically reduce the weight by more than a third, from the original 125 kg of Kopyo (Spear) to 80 kg. With the exception of the sector of scan is increased to +/- 60 degrees from the original +/- 40 degrees of Kopyo (Spear), all of the rest of performance parameters of Komar (Gnat) remained the same as that of Kopyo (Spear). Super Komar radar has improved capability than Komar (Gnat) in that instead of being able to simultaneously track 8 targets and engage 2 of the tracked like Komar (Gnat) and Kopyo (Spear), it can simultaneously track 10 targets and engage 4 of the tracked. It is reported, however, despite successful tests, the radar was eventually rejected by both China and Pakistan, because the 60/40 km tracking/engagement range of Super Komar radar was simply too short, and this was the reason why no more follow-up orders were placed.
  • Italian FIAR Grifo-S7 radar: Unlike the Russian Super Komar, the Italian radar lacks the capability of multi-targets tracking and engagement via semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles. However, it does have multi-targets tracking capability (up to 8) and single target engagement capability via semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles and when using active radar homing air-to-air missiles, two targets can be simultaneously engaged. The radar weighs 110 kg and a slotted planar array antenna. This Italian radar has higher MTBF than the Russian radar, up to more than 220 hours. Furthermore, the ISO-9002 certified radar and electronics manufacturing facility at Kamra of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex already had vast experience in license assembly / production of earlier Italian FIAR Grifo series radars for F-7MP/P/PG, and the Italian radar would have advantage over its competitors should assembly / production licenses be granted like it had been done earlier. This Italian radar emerged as the winner in the competition against British Blue Hawk and French RC-400 radars, and it was reported that at least several unit would equip the very first JF-17 in Pakistani services.
  • British GEC-Marconi Blue Hawk radar: this radar is developed from GEC-Marconi Blue Vixen radar onboard BAE Sea Harrier, with MTBF over 200 hours. The radar lacks the compatibility with semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles, and this was one of the reason it was rejected by Pakistan, but this capability can be incorporated up on customers' request. The radar weigh 104 kg and incorporates a slotted planar array. This British radar remains a potential candidate on exported versions of JF-17 should potential customers require cheaper alternative to the Italian Grifo-S7 radar, and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex can readily integrate the radar to JF-17 upon customers' request.
  • French Thomson-CSF RC-400 radar: this radar is developed from Thomson-CSF RDY radar onboard Dassault Mirage 2000, with reduced peak power and maximum range due to decreased size and weight. Like the British GEC-Marconi Blue Hawk radar, this French radar was also rejected by Pakistan for lacking the compatibility with semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles, but Thomson-CSF had claimed that such capability could be readily incorporated upon customer's request. Another reason for Pakistani rejection of the radar was that instead of being built to the MIL-STD-1553, the French radar was built to the French DIGIBUS standard instead, so extra work must be done for compatibility with MIL-STD-1553 standard, thus increasing the cost. However, for potential customers who had been accustomed with French equipment, this French radar is a logical choice because although the initial cost for installation is increased, the overall operational cost would be decreased when the radar is compatible with all other French equipment in the inventory. For this reason, RC-400 also remains a potential candidate for export versions of JF-17 for possible future customers equipped with French systems. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is capable of performing the conversion for installation and providing the supports upon customers' request if this radar is to be selected.
  • It is reported (to be confirmed) that a Chinese radar of unknown designation has been offered for the production version of JF-17, and the Chinese offer had some key advantages over the Italian one, such as compatibility with Chinese weapon systems.
    • Radar has strong ECCM capacity and multiple modes, such as A2A (both BVR & close), air-to-ground, air-to-sea, terrain avoidance, etc. Terrain following mode is not standard, but can be added upon customer's request by either incorporating an external pod such as the Chinese Blue Sky navigational and targeting pods, or alternatively, the direct integration of the radar itself.
    • It can simultaneously detect 40+ targets, simultaneously track 10 of 40 detected targets, and simultaneously engage 2 of the 10 tracked targets by guiding 2 semi-active radar homing BVR missiles to attack two separate targets. Alternatively, two missiles can be fired at the same target to raise the kill probability.
    • When active radar homing air-to-air missiles are used, the number of targets that can be simultaneously engaged are increased to 4.
    • The detection range for a typical air target of RC 3 m² is 125+ km; looking downrange is 45+ km; range for sea target is 250+ km.
    • When engaging land targets, the Chinese radar can lock on to individual vehicle like American radars do, instead of only being able to lock on to a large group of vehicles like the Russian Phazotron Kopyo (Spear) radar onboard MiG-21-93.
    • Easy to access LRUs with fully digitized solid state electronics and built-in self test functions.
    • Plenty of room for improvement is incorporated in the design so that the current plannar slotted array can be readily replaced by a passive phased array.
    • Reprogrammable digital processor with open architecture design.
    • Option to incorporate IFF.
    • The internally mounted electro-optics is not standard for JF-17, but the radar is compatible with them for their rapid integration upon customer's request.

Helmet Mounted Sight (HMS)

Though the exact type of the helmet mounted sights for JF-17 is yet to be determined, the HMS will be standard. JF-17 is compatible with a wide range of HMS, and its HMS will be at least equal or better than the HMS offered for J-7E/F-7PG, which first appeared in 2002 at air show and various defense / electronics exhibitions such as CIDEX held in China. According to the staff from the developing firms and their advertise at these exhibitions, the HMS offered for J-7E/F-7PG is already better than the latest Russian HMS available on the export market in that the Chinese HMS is specifically designed to improve the performance of the Russian system, and it outperforms its Russian counterparts including ASP-AVD-21, Shchel series, Sura series in various fields:

  • In comparison to the original standard Russian ASP-PVD-21 HMS onboard the MiG-29 and Flanker family, the field of view of the Chinese HMS for J-7E/F-7PG is +/- 90 degrees, which is far greater than the mere +/- 8 degrees of the Russian ASP-PVD-21 HMS.
  • In comparison to the latest Russian HMS available with +/- 60 degrees of field of view, the Chinese HMS for J-7E/F-7PG still enjoys much greater field of view at +/- 90 degrees.
  • The elevation of the latest Russian HMS designed to replace the original ASP-PVD-21 HMS onboard MiG-29 and Flanker family is only +/- 40 degrees, while in contrast, the Chinese HMS for J-7E/F-7PG is already +/- 45 degrees.
  • The Chinese HMS for J-7E/F-7PG already had higher reliability than the Russian HMS.
  • The Chinese HMS for J-7E/F-7PG are easier and much cheaper to manufacture than its Russian counterparts.

Although the Chinese HMS for J-7E/F-7PG has already enjoyed numerous advantages over the latest Russian HMS developed later, it still might not be the final type of HMS selected for JF-17, because even as the Chinese HMS for J-7E/F-7PG was first revealed in 2002, the Chinese manufacturers such as the 613th Institute had already started the development of newer HMS designed to replace the HMS for J-7E/F-7PG. Three major Chinese manufacturers, XBOE, the 613th Institute, and Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center have already developed a variety of HMS systems with improvements including the adaptation of common attachments and power sources so that all night vision goggles and HMS are interchangeable, without the need to replace the entire system. The weight would be further reduced from the 200 grams weight of the Chinese HMS for J-7E/F-7PG, while the performance is further increased (mainly in the increase of elevation angles). While it can not be confirmed the claims by various sources that the more advanced Chinese HMS onboard Chengdu J-10 developed from HMS onboard the J-7E/F-7PG would be selected for JF-17, the aircraft is certainly compatible with the more advanced Chinese HMS onboard Chengdu J-10

Electronic warfare

It has all the standard electronic warfare systems, such as radar warning receiver, missile approach warning system, etc.

Communication

The JF-17 has two communication radios; one of them has the capacity for data link to exchange data from either a ground control center or an AWACS/AEW.

The modular design of solid state avionics has enabled the data link for the air-to-ground precision guided munitions to be carried internally, thus eliminating the need to carry external data link pods that are common for current Russian and Vietnam War era American systems, but this only applies to the radar or GPS guided air-to-surface missiles, because for television, infrared, or laser guided munitions, the aircraft lacks built-in electro-optics targeting and weapon control systems, so an external electro-optic targeting pod must be carried such as the Chinese built Blue Sky.

Engine

The current engine in the JF-17, the Russian RD-93, is not completely smoke-free. Emissions have been significantly decreased, but some smokiness still remains. Nevertheless, how truly impressive the RD-93 can be, and even considering all its misgivings, the acceleration and quick response it can achieve is well within expectations. According to most test pilots, the engine's response is virtually instantaneous. Here is a comparison between the RD-93 and the Chinese WS-13:

ENGINES: Chinese WS-13 Russian RD-93 Percentage Difference
Length (m): 4.15 4.25 -2.35%
Diameter (m): 1.02 1.04 -1.92%
Weight (kg): 1135 1055 +7.58%
Thrust (afterburning, kN): 86.37 81.3 +6.24%
Thrust (dry, kN): 56.75 50 +13.50%
Bypass ratio: 0.57 0.49 +16.33%

Engine maintenance

Instead of being required to be sent back to the main overhaul factories in the rear for engine replacements, the aircraft engine can be readily replaced at the forward airbases in field conditions within two hours (one hour forty-five minutes has been achieved), providing the necessary maintenance equipment is all in place.

Ground maintenance equipment

In comparison to Russian ground maintenance equipment for the Flanker family such as the Sukhoi Su-30, Chinese claim that its indigenously developed ground maintenance equipment of JF-17 offers significant advantages to the current Russian one on the market, and the PLAAF has already begun to replace Russian ground maintenance equipment for the Flanker family such as the Sukhoi Su-30 for the following reasons:

  • Like its western counterparts, the Chinese ground maintenance equipment is not limited to serve a single type of aircraft, instead, it is designed to service a wide range of aircraft, including both civilian and military. In comparison, most Russian ground maintenance equipment for the Flanker family such as the Sukhoi Su-30 are purposely built and can only serve the aircraft in the Flanker family.
  • The Chinese ground maintenance equipment utilizes solid state electronics, and has better reliability.
  • The Chinese ground maintenance equipment is based on the commercial off-the-shelf products that greatly reduced the logistic problems due to its commonality with similar commercial equipment available while meeting the military standards at the same time.
  • Due to the adaptation of the commercial off-the-shelf products, the Chinese ground maintenance equipment is cheaper to purchase, and more importantly, cheaper to operate than the specially design Russian ones, which have unit price from at least half a million to more than a million United States dollars.
  • The Chinese ground maintenance equipment adopts the multi-tasks workstation priniciple of similar American systems, and thus much fewer equipment is needed like the American systems. In comparison, most Russian ground maintenance equipment offered for export for the Flanker family such as the Sukhoi Su-30 is single tasked, thus forcing the buyers to spend more money on puchasing every type in order to meet the complete maintenance requirements.
  • Due to its similar design that follows western systems, the Chinese ground maintenance equipment is compact and can be deployed by air like its western counterparts. In contrast, the Russian ground maintenance equipment for Flanker family such as the Sukhoi Su-30 is bulky and can only be transported on land since it can not fit inside cargo airplanes.
  • The Chinese ground maintenance equipment is versatile like similar western systems in that it can either be truck mounted to increase mobility, or trailer mounted to reduce cost. In contrast, the current Russian ground maintenance equipment on the market for the Flanker family such as the Sukhoi Su-30 only comes in truck mounted form (as of 2006).
  • Instead of being built by a single production complex associated with the aircraft manufacturer like the ground maintenance equipment of the Flanker family, the complete set of the Chinese ground maintenance equipment is developed by different manufacturers of the similar equipment used for commercial airplanes, so that buyers would have wider choice of suppliers, and would not have to pay higher prices because they would not to be locked into the deal forced up on them by the aircraft manufacturer. The purchasers of the Chinese ground maintenance equipment therefore are open to purchase western components should they choose to, when there are better deals to be found.
  • More importantly, since most of the Chinese ground maintenance equipment is for civilian use, there is far less likelihood of being embargoed like the Russian ground maintenance equipment for the Flanker family such as the Sukhoi Su-30, which is purely for military use.
  • The civilian usage of the multi-tasked Chinese ground maintenance equipment also means that the equipment can be better utilized for civilian aircraft and thus reducing the cost of operation like similar western systems. In contrast, not only is the Russian counterpart limited to military aircraft, it is also only limited to a single family of military aircraft because many of the single tasked Russian ground maintenance equipment purposely built for Flanker family such as the Sukhoi Su-30 can only be used for Flankers.
  • Like similar western systems of modular design, the Chinese ground maintenance equipment also has the option of modular design so that when newer subsystems become available, they can be readily incorporated into the system by replacing the older ones on the racks.

Pakistan Air Force JF-17

The first 50 JF-17s entering Pakistan Air Force (PAF) service will only incorporate Chinese avionics and weapon systems. Subsequent upgrades will be made on PAF JF-17s every five years, planned additions include infra-red search & track (IRST), in-flight refueling (IFR) and possibly engine change from the Russian RD-93 to Chinese WS-13 and may be some minor stealth features.[12][13]

Beyond the initial 50 PAF JF-17s, the remaining may be equipped with European avionics and radars. Pakistan had begun negotiations with British and Italian defence firms over potential avionics and ECM/EW systems for JF-17. In fact, one of the radar options for JF-17 is the Italian Grifo S7.[14]

The first two have arrived in Pakistan and are part of the initial 150 order. The PAF aims to boost the JF-17 fleet to 200-250.

Weaponry

File:Sd-10.jpg
The SD-10 is the primary Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) for the JF-17

All weapon systems are designed to be compatible with both Western systems (ie. supporting MIL-STD-1760 data bus), Chinese systems and Pakistani systems as well.

Air-to-air weaponry

The JF-17 is primarily an export-oriented fighter, thus it can be built according a customer's specifications and use a variety of Chinese and Western weapon systems.

These include air-to-air Beyond Visual Range missiles (BVRs).

Non-Chinese Weapons

Chinese Weapons

Air-to-ground weaponry

In addition to unguided bombs and rockets, the aircraft is adopted to deploy a wide range of precision guided munitions, including:

Non-Chinese weapons:

  • DPGM (Precision Guided Bomb) - Denel (South Africa)
  • Raptor-I precision-guided long-range glide bomb (60 km) - Denel (South Africa)
  • Raptor-II precision-guided long-range glide bomb (120 km) - Denel (South Africa)
  • Anti-ship missile such as Exocet and Harpoon missile.
  • Russian KAB series laser guided bombs (these Russian bombs can not be directly mounted onto weaponry pylons like Western or Chinese munitions, instead, additional special adaptation rails are required for JF-17 when using them)

Indigenous Pakistani Weapons

  • H-2 Stand-off glide bomb (60 KM)
  • H-4 Stand-off powered glide bomb (120 KM)
  • Ra'ad Stand-off cruise mssile (350 KM)
  • HAFR-2 Anti-Runway bomb

Chinese weapons:

All precision guided munitions listed above are either GPS or radar guided, and when the television or laser guided munitions are deployed, addition electro-optical targeting pods such as the Chinese-built Blue Sky pod must be carried externally in order to provide guidance and targeting information.

Operators

Operators of the JF-17 Thunder. - Countries with the JF-17 currently in service, in production or with confirmed orders are in green. Potential customers are in light green.

List of customers with confirmed aircraft orders:

Potential customers

The following air forces have shown interest in the JF-17 Thunder:

Prototypes and their roles

Designation Role
Prototype-01 Flight Performance Verification
Prototype-02 Ground and Load Testing (Static Ground Testing)
Prototype-03 Flight Performance Verification
Prototype-04 Weapons Integration And Avionics Testing
Prototype-05 Fatigue Testing (Static Ground Testing)

Specifications (JF-17 Thunder)

This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 pilot

Performance

References

  1. ^ Note: Some analysts refer the J-10 Vigorous Dragon (F-10 Vanguard) as the "Fierce Dragon".
  2. ^ a b Anon. (12 March,2007) Two JF-17s Delivered to Pakistan. GEO News.
  3. ^ Anon. (2003) JF-17 Thunder/FC-1. Global Security.
  4. ^ Iqbal, Anwar. (Feb, 2005) Malaysia looks to Pakistan as source of armaments. Pakistan Military Consortium.
  5. ^ Anon. (24 March, 2007) JF-17 Thunder main focus of attention at Pak Day fly-past. Pak Tribune.
  6. ^ Pub. (31 March, 2007) PAF to induct high-tech aircraft in numbers soon; aging fleet to be replaced till 2015: Air Chief. APP/Aaj TV News.
  7. ^ a b Anon. (31 March, 2007) PAF to seek more Chinese aircraft, says air chief. The News, Pakistan.
  8. ^ Tariq, Iqbal (23 April, 2007) Pakistan wants to sell JF-17 Multirole Fighter. Pakistan Defence.
  9. ^ Anon. (11 May, 2006) 4th Prototype JF-17 Thunder aircraft successfully completed inaugural flight JF-17 Thunder. Pak Tribune.
  10. ^ Anon. (12 May, 2006) JF-17 Thunder. Pakistan Defence - JF-17 Multirole Aircraft.
  11. ^ Anon. (30 Dec, 2006) FC-1/JF-17 Multirole Fighter Aircraft. Sino Defence.
  12. ^ Anon. JF-17 Thunder. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
  13. ^ Anon. JF-17 Thunder - Specifications. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
  14. ^ Anon. Italian Grifo family. Sensors and Airborne Systems.
  15. ^ http://www.iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=f&o=341032&apc_state=henh
  16. ^ Anon. Air Force Systems - JF-17 Thunder. U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

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