China, Pak Joint Venture to Produce JF-17
(Source: Press Trust of India; issued Apr. 27, 2004)
LONDON --- A joint venture between China and Pakistan will begin initial production of 16 Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder fighters in 2006, according to a report.
The joint venture would be between Chengdu Aircraft Industry in China and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), the Janes’ Defence Weekly reported today.
First deliveries to Pakistan Air Force will start mid-2006, Air Vice Marshal Lateef told the weekly.
Eight aircraft would be delivered to China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force, and eight to the PAF, four of which would be built entirely in Chengdu and four assemble at PAC’s Kamra facility. The PAF has a requirement for 150 JF-17s.
According to the report, currently two prototypes of the FC-1/JF-17 are flying. The first took to the air on August 25, 2003, with the maiden flight of the second prototype on April 9, both from the Chengdu facility in China.
Two Pakistani test pilots flew the initial prototype for the first time on April 7, beginning regular participation in the flight test program.
The first two prototypes will explore the aircraft’s operational flight envelope and the operation of its subsystems. A third prototype is planned for system integration and certification of the avionics suite and weapons fit.
The Chengdu Aircraft Industry and the PAC are in equal partnership and jointly developing and producing the fighter, the report said.
The JF-17/FC-1 is described as a multi-role attack fighter with delta wings, a conventional tail and a fly-by-wire flight control system.
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This article is one reason I doubt the PAF will get the Su-30. The other is that India is Russia'a single biggest customer, and Russia will not want to upset India. Cheers.
