Islamic world’s 1st fighter jet
Islamic world’s 1st fighter jet
Faruk Ashrafeen
link http://pakobserver.net/200512/14/Articles02.asp
Pakistan has started indigenous production of JF-17 Thunder “billed as the Islamic world’s first fighter jet†which will be inducted into Pakistan Air Force by December, 2006. “We are ready to export the aircraft to friendly countries, especially the Arab States,†disclosed Air Marshal Aurangzeb Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Board, in an interview with Khaleej Times, at the conclusion of the Dubai 2005 Air Show. The manufacturing of all weather JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role and light weight fighter aircraft, marks a significant milestone towards technological advancement by the PAC.
Pakistan launched some years back the mega production project of JF-17 Thunder aircraft that can also be considered a little replacement of America’s multi-role F-16 warplane. The project is a joint Pakistani-China venture, which is another token of “deeper than oceans and higher than mountains friendship†between the two countries. President Pervez Musharraf described the project as a giant leap towards indigenization and self-reliance, saying, Pakistan will maintain minimum level of defensive deterrence in both conventional and unconventional fields, as it wants peace with dignity and honour. “Pakistan has come a long way and stands at the threshold of a major leap forward by acquiring indigenous capability of manufacturing the JF-17 aircraft, which will form the backbone of Pakistan Air Force,†he had said at the launch of JF-17 project. The requirement of a new medium-tech combat aircraft for the PAF was dictated by the need to replace its ageing medium-tech fleet of F-6s, F-7s, A-5s and Mirages. There has also been a growing feeling as to what would happen if Pakistan is unable to get the promised US multi-role F-16s. Thank God the US government has formally announced the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan, no matter Pakistan has announcement deferment of the purchase, for the time being, under the crucial situation after the October 8 earthquake. However, in anticipation of this reality, Pakistan Air Force had been looking for a suitable replacement fighter that could be afforded in large numbers and could match the performance of the aircraft on the adversary’s inventory. “Pakistan stands for peace but jealously guards its sovereignty. We want peace but we want it with honour and dignity,†said the President, adding,
Pakistan has evaluated requirements of its Armed Forces for the next 15 years. This identification of certain targets for Pakistan Air Force was based on the pretext that in the wake of US betrayal to its commitment on F-16s, the indigenous acquisition of high-tech JF-17 Thunder aircraft was a must for Pakistan Air Force.
The Sino-Pak JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft (previously known as Super-7) joint venture was started in February 1992, when the China Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) invited PAF to invest in the Super-7 programme in return for full participation in design and development phase, with exclusive co-production rights of up to 59 per cent of the Super-7 airframe. The PAF evaluated this offer and got the government’s approval in October 1994.
JF-17 is a lightweight, multi-role day-night, all weather fighter with maximum TO weight 12,700kg, maximum speed 1.7M, ceiling 16,500m, maximum weapon load 3,900kg, range 3,000km. It is equipped with a Russian engine (probably RD-33, that powers MiG-29). PAF’s version would carry a European avionics suite that includes a multi-mode Pulse Doppler radar, INS (Inertial Navigation System), multi-function displays etc and is expected to fulfil 70 per cent of PAF operation requirements. The warplane is designed to be fitted with vast array of weaponry. Weapon load includes short and medium range AAMs (Anti-Air Missiles) like AIM-9P/PL-9/Magic 2 and PL-11/Aspide/AIM-7E etc. In addition to that it includes new FBW system and a true BVR attack capability, which will allow Pakistan Air Force to have a major strategic upper hand over Indian Air Force.
The first flight of the aircraft took place on September 04, 2003 in China. A considerable number of PAF engineers and pilots participated in the development phase. This multi-role aircraft can fly at a top speed of Mach 1.6 and has a high thrust-to-weight ratio. It is capable of carrying high and low-drag bombs, laser-guided bombs, runway penetration bombs and cluster bombs. The technology used in this aircraft is matched only by the F-16 aircraft. Like F-16, it is able to engage targets at all speeds and altitudes with the conventional envelope. The project cost is $450 million, compared to $1.5billion for the Indian Lightweight Combat Aircraft (LCA).
The JF-17 project completed in 11 years from the time China offered to co-produce the aircraft, while the Indian LCA project was still not complete even after 20 years.
The production cost of the aircraft was a an estimated $15 million per plane, and it would be able to fly for 30 years with a regular upgrade of its systems every five years.
In line with Government’s policy of diversification, Pakistan is looking for other options of the state-of-the-art fighter planes. With the induction of the state-of-the-art fighter planes Pakistan Air Force will become a force to reckon with. The indigenisation of JF-17 will lead to several benefits including acquisition of advanced technology and expertise, self-reliance capability, enhancement of growth in the private sector, creation of job opportunities, poverty reduction and socio-economic development of the area. JF-17 aircraft is bracketed higher among the medium technology fighter planes and would form the backbone for Pakistan Air Force. The JF-17 aircraft contributes very much to the conventional balance and is a manifestation of Pakistan’s strategy of defensive deterrence. It would replace old generation of fighter planes and will be a mainstay of the air force. 50 per cent of the airframe and all the avionics would be manufactured in Pakistan.
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At the PAC in Kamra, Pakistan, we are doing 58 per cent of the airframe and majority of the avionics in addition to stuffing, final assembling and flight testing,†Khaleej Times quoted Air Marshal Aurangzeb Khan as saying. He said “at this time we are producing the fighter jet in small batches.
Four aircraft would handed over to the Pakistan Air Force in March 2007, which will induct a total of 150 fighter jets. The serial production would start in 2008.â€
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex has also signed a contract with the Boeing Company of the US for manufacturing of parts for Boeing 747, 676 and 777 aircraft. This achievement is attributed to the ability of PAC to aquire International Aerospace Standard AS 9100 Rev B, ISO – 9001:2000 and Boeign Quality Management System (BQMS). PAC is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of Mushshak 17-1 aircraft, Super Mushshak aircraft and JF-17 aircraft. The Mushshak 17-1 aircraft has been issued Type Acceptance by South African Civil Aviation Authority. The aircraft shall be used to impart primary flying training to ab-initio student pilots in South Africa.
At the Dubai 2005 Air Show, Pakistan’s trainer aircraft Super Mushshak, used for primary flying training and civil/safari flying, and Karakuram-8, jet trainer for basic and advanced flying training with multi-role mission capability, took part in static display and aerobatics.
