Pakistan Receives First Overhauled JF-17 Fighter Jet From China
This is the first time AVIC has overhauled a made-for-export third-generation fighter, or fourth-generation according to another standard, the report said.
Recently under a project, the first overhauled JF-17 Thunder fighter jet has been delivered to Pakistan that, according to experts, would benefit Pakistan’s aviation industry.
While quoting China Aviation News here on Wednesday, Global Time reported that in March Changsha 5712 Aircraft Industry Co Ltd under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) reassembled the overhauled JF-17 and delivered it to its Pakistani client.
This is the first time AVIC has overhauled a made-for-export third-generation fighter, or fourth-generation according to another standard, the report said.
Fu Qianshao, a Chinese air defense expert told, “The first overhaul marks an important milestone in the JF-17 project”
According to Fu, the first overhaul represents the trial-and-error phase of the project and provides experience in establishing standards for other JF-17 overhauls in the future.
The single-engine multi-role light fighter jet JF-17 developed and manufactured by China and Pakistan together made its first flight in 2003.
The Pakistani Air Force commissioned JF-17s from the initial ones delivered to the Pakistani clients in 2007. They underwent overhaul after a decade of use.
A contract for the first overhaul was signed in 2016 and it made its first test flight in October 2018.
Fu said an overhaul ensures flight safety after years of use. It equips the aircraft with newer technologies that enhance its capability, or prolong the aircraft’s lifespan. He said, regular maintenance could be done by the military but an overhaul needs to be carried out by a designated and capable supplier as it includes major maintenance featuring repairs and replacement of old components including the airframe and engine.
To keep the maintenance cycle short and costs low, the experienced overhaul team at AVIC used a reliability-oriented maintenance model.
During the overhaul process, Pakistani trainees were sent to China, who communicated and built deep friendships with Chinese engineers.
According to Fu, future overhauls on other JF-17s could be done by Pakistani personnel, since procedures and standards for the overhaul have been established.
“Under the framework of China-Pakistan cooperation, Pakistan’s aviation industry will continue to develop” – Fu stated.
A Block 3 variant of the JF-17, which is expected to be much more powerful than the previous two blocks is under development, thanks to a new China-developed active electronically scanned array radar, reports said.
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keep it up Pak China!!! for Paki’s please do make your own manufactured engines.
پیوستہ رہ شجر سے امید بہار رکھ
HAMALA K CHASHMAIN UBALNAY LAGAY
this is a much need of time. Pakistan need more state of the art arsenals either for airforce, navy or conventional forces. since other countries are buying cutting edge technology aircraft from European countries, in the mean while pakistan’s economy is in its stabilising phase, so it better to develop our own by joins ventures rather to buy as it will enhance the confidence of the nation and state also in near future it will help to boost economy by exporting it to other countries.