By Jean-Michel Guhl
BACKGROUND
Designed especially for Pakistan by the Chinese CATIC aviation concern, the JF-17 ‘Thunder’ was showcased for the first time ever in France during the recent Paris Air Show. Two aircraft and a spare were part of the venue, while one was used daily for the dynamic aerial display. Let’s recall that the aircraft which was made public in Pakistan at Karachi’s IDEAS 2008 show, made its first international appearance five years ago at the Farnborough Air Show in 2010. A year later it participated to the 2011 Turkish Air Force centenary celebrations in İzmir before attending the Dubai Air Show 2011 a while after, and subsequently the 2012 and 2014 editions of the Zhuhai Air Show in China. Marketed jointly by CATIC and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) the JF-17 is set for export and nothing loath to attract prospective buyers worldwide.
China is today Pakistan’s largest arms supplier and third largest trading partner. At first a strong US ally during the Cold War, Pakistan relationship with China became very close after the China-India war of 1962. Left in the lurch after repeated US sanctions, taut regional geopolitics then forced Pakistan to befriend and seek military help from Beijing. China started supplying Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with Shenyang J-6 fighters (or F-6 a Chinese copy of the MiG-19) in 1965. Then in 1973, China helped establish the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra, north of Islamabad.
Over the years, the Pakistani Air Force received 55 Nanchang A-5Cs (or Q-6, a Chinese MiG-19 ground attack variant) and 186 Chengdu F-7s (or J-7, a Chinese MiG-21), also designated F-7M Airguard on the export market. Although it excelled at producing copycat versions of Soviet aircraft for many decades, the Chinese aerospace industry then stepped into the 21st Century with original models, like the more capable Chengdu J-10 and FC-1 fighters, both created using CAD (computer-assisted design) processes. Prototype production of the FC-1 — then referred as the Super 7 — began in September 2002, a full-size mock-up of the FC-1 being displayed at Airshow China in November of that same year.
In 2007, as a part of a joint-venture project between Beijing and Islamabad, China rolled-out the FC-1 Xiāo Lóng (or Fierce Dragon), best known as the Joint Fighter 17 ‘Thunder’ or JF-17 Mach 2 capable multi-role fighter. Specifically built for the Pakistan Air Force with a view to replace within this decade the ageing A-5 (now retired), the legacy Mirage III/5 fighter-bombers and by the end of this decade the F-7PMs, the JF-17 is one of the most affordable combat aircraft on the market today with a price tag around US$30-million only. The JF-17 is powered by a single Russian-made Klimov RD-93 engine, a variant of the RD-33 powering the famous MiG-29, and has a KLJ-7 multi–function X-band pulse-Doppler fire control radar. Joint production and further development of the JF-17 is still on with the Block II deliveries now engaged and the Block III looming in the distance. Currently the Pakistan Air Force has some sixty aircraft on strength, and the total is likely to increase to 300 eventually to replace most of the PAF’s fighter fleet.
Work-share ratio for the FC-1/JF-17 is 58.42 % for Pakistan and 41.58% for China respectively. According to a Chengdu Aircraft Corporation official, the JF-17’s low cost is due to many of the on-board systems having been adapted from those of the Chengdu J-10 (also known as « Vigorous Dragon ») now in large scale production for the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF). A wide transfer of technology—transposing the aircraft systems from the J-10 to the JF-17— is also what makes the JF-17 so cost-effective, it is said. While the Chinese Air Force has so far no intention to select the FC-1 for its own use (preferring the heavier J-10/FC-20), it is open for export.
It is quite obvious that most of the air arms operating today the Chengdu J-7 could become sooner or later customers for the J-10/FC-1, namely Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Egypt, Iran, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. But CATIC and PAC are also eyeing now at the Latin American market with serious chances to secure some valued sales on a very crowded market.
INTERVIEW
Air Commodore Khalid Mahmood is the Pakistan Air Force officer who nowadays leads international sales and marketing efforts for the JF-17 Thunder. The editor of Latinaero had the opportunity to chat with him during the recent Paris Air Show at Le Bourget.
Latinaero: « The CAC/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 Thunder is making its first appearance in France this year. We first met in Dubai four years ago at which time the Pakistani Air Force only had a short and recent experience with the JF-17. Where are we now, especially considering the fact that the PAF is one of the world’s most capable air forces around? »
Air Commodore Khalid Mahmood: « The aircraft is making its debut at this year’s air show where Pak Air Force has brought three examples of our JF-17 Thunder. One is here behind us on the static display, one participates daily in the flying display, while a third is here with us to serve as a backup. The JF-17 contingent this year is 80-man strong, representing a significant marketing push. Indeed, the show is a good place for meeting prospective customers, especially from French speaking countries. That is why we also share a chalet with our CATIC partners. So far eleven countries are looking at the type [which mirrors previous comments made by Chinese defence export agency CATIC, which also markets the aircraft, Ed.]. »
Latinaero: « I have noticed that your pilots here at the show openly wear squadron patches from No.16 and No.26 Squadrons previously flying the Nanchang A-5C. How many JF-17s have been delivered to the Pakistani Air Force to this date? »
Khalid Mahmood: « So far, fifty-four examples have been delivered to two operational squadrons based in Peshawar. The first were those of No.26 Squadron in 2010. The first fifty JF-17s were originally delivered in a Block I configuration, and these are in the process of being updated to a Block II standard. The Block II configuration features improved avionics and better software. It also adds a fixed air-to-air refueling probe which will allow these models to refuel from our Il-78MP tankers. According to current PAF plans, an additional fort-six aircraft will be delivered in the Block II configuration. A subsequent batch of fifty aircraft, which will push Pakistan’s fleet to 150 examples, will have a Block III configuration with improved features. These will all be delivered normally by the end of 2018. Actually, PAF has three squadrons now using the plane, with a fourth due by the end of the year, moreover it has been inducted into the country’s elite fighter training school proving the JF-17 could be truly employed for any combat. »
Latinaero: « In Paris, it was announced the JF-17 Thunder fighter has secured its first confirmed export deal. Could you tell us more about that? »
Khalid Mahmood: « Yes, I can annouce that during this Paris Air Show, a contract has been signed with an Asian country [thought to be Myanmar, Ed.], but due to our client sensitivities, I cannot specify who is the customer and the number of aircraft it will obtain. Deliveries will start in 2017. In fact, sales for the JF-17, which is targeted for developing nations, have been held up by political turmoil in several Middle Eastern countries. Indeed, the JF-17 is cheaper to buy and operate and comes with a very comprehensive weapons package that small air forces can’t get elsewhere. »
Latinaero: « Combat aircraft of today have a longer operational life, and this lifespan is highly dependent on avionics or engine upgrades. Are you alrady working on ways to improve the JF-17 through Pakistan’s own experience with the aircraft ? »
Khalid Mahmood: « Well, the aircraft’s developers are still working out the specifications of the Block III aircraft. Along the lines of current discussions we have with our Chinese partner, we think upgrades could include an active electronically scanned array (AESA) to replace the current radar set ; or Passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar. The configuration could also include an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor, stations under the forward fuselage for various pods, and expanded precision weapons capabilities. A two-seat variant of the JF-17 is also planned, which will serve mainly as a conversion trainer. »
Latinaero: « Still about export, singularly to Latin America whose air forces have to fare with reduced defense budgets, you are aware that during her recent February visit to China, Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in Beijing completed negotiations to purchase twenty FC-1s from CATIC. Is this good news for the JF-17 ? On top of that, it is also said Uruguay requested information on the aircraft… »
Khalid Mahmood: « Certainly, besides Africa, the Middle-East and Asia, we are placing great hopes on the Latin American market. Countries operating older variants of the Mirage, like Argentina, are the best possible targets. Many South American fighter fleets are now nearing the end of their useful life, and our Thunder fighter could be the best choice at the lower possible cost as the JF-17’s performance can meet the defense needs of the vast majority of countries.
