China delivers first overhauled JF-17 fighter jet to Pakistan

In a major boost for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), China hasdelivered the first overhauled multi-role JF-17 fighter jet to Islamabad aspart of a project undertaken by the two countries over a decade ago for thedevelopment and manufacture of the aircraft.

China and Pakistan had begun joint development andmanufacture of the single-engine light JF-17 jets over a decade ago. Beijingdelivered the first batch in 2007 and a number of them were later commissionedby the PAF, state-run Global Times reported on Wednesday.

   

After a decade of use, it was time for the first JF-17s toundergo overhauls, the report quoted military analysts as saying, adding thatthe first overhaul started in November 2017 after a contract was signed betweenthe two sides in 2016.

Changsha 5712 Aircraft Industry Co Ltd under the state-ownedAviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) reassembled the jet and deliveredit to its Pakistani client in March, the daily quoted a report by ChinaAviation News.

This is also the first time AVIC has overhauled amade-for-export third generation fighter, or fourth generation according toanother widely used standard, the report said.

“The first [JF-17] overhaul marks an importantmilestone [in the JF-17 project],” Fu Qianshao, a Chinese air defenceexpert, said.

It represents the trial-and-error phase of the project andprovided experience in establishing standards for other JF-17 overhauls infuture, Qianshao said.

The overhaul of the fighter jet includes major maintenance,featuring repairs and replacement of old components, including the airframe andengine.

Also, a Block 3 variant of the JF-17 is under development.It is expected to be much more powerful than the previous two blocks due to newChina-developed active electronically scanned array radar, the report said.

Though China has made significant strides in avionics anddeveloped new range of war planes including stealth fighters, it is yet todevelop engines for its planes, including JF-17 and mostly rely on Russiansupplies.

Qianshao said that while standard, regular maintenance couldbe done by the military, an overhaul usually needs to be conducted by adesignated and more capable supplier due to higher complexity.

Such an overhaul can ensure flight safety after years ofuse. It might also equip the aircraft with newer technologies that enhance itscapability, or prolong the aircraft’s lifespan, he said.

Pakistan sent dozens of trainees to China, who had closecommunication and built deep friendships with Chinese engineers during theoverhaul process.

Qianshao said since procedures and standards for theoverhaul have been established, future overhauls on other JF-17s could be doneby Pakistani personnel.

“Under the framework of China-Pakistan cooperation,Pakistan’s aviation industry will continue to develop,” he noted.

JF-17 has become a mainstay of the PAF in recent years afterUS restricted sales of F-16 war planes after the 1990 arms embargo imposed onPakistan under the Pressler amendment. It is reported to have over 100 JF-17planes with more in the pipeline.

JF17 is part of close defence cooperation between the twocountries under which China has become a major supplier of arms to Pakistan.China is currently building four new modern naval warships for Pakistan.

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