KAMRA, Pakistan, 10 May 2005 — Pakistan, which has been seeking high technology aircraft for the last two decades, said yesterday it hoped to start joint production with China from 2007 of multirole fighter jets.
The first four JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft are expected to be introduced into the air force some time in 2006, said Air Vice Marshal Shahid Latif, project director for JF-17 planes.
The medium-technology aircraft matches the Mirage in performance but has better avionics and weapons, Latif told a news conference at the Kamra Aeronautical complex, 80 km west of Islamabad.
It would replace the aging fleet of Mirage 3 and 5, A-5 and F-7 aircraft, he said.
Latif said the JF-17 could achieve a speed of 1.6 Mach, altitude of 55,000 feet and carry weapons of modern warfare.
“The project is not only of strategic importance to the air force but it has far-reaching implications both for the national defense and economic prosperity of Pakistan,” he said. Latif said the performance of prototypes of the JF-17 had far exceeded expectations and China wanted 250 aircraft to be added to its fleet while Pakistan was looking to acquire 150.
According to the agreement between China and Pakistan, once full production starts half the plane would be produced in China and half in Pakistan, the officials added.
Chengu Aircraft Design Institute designed the aircraft and the prototypes were manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Company — both based in China’s Sichuan province, officials said.
Pakistan was also equipping the manufacturing facility to cater for exports. “We already have some export orders,” Latif said, but did not give details.
Pakistan is also planning to introduce more state-of-the art F-16 fighter jets after the United States agreed to sell them to Islamabad in March after two decades of refusal. Pakistan bought 40 F-16s in the early 1980s when the country was serving as a base for the US-backed resistance against the former Soviet Union’s occupation of Afghanistan.
Aziz Vows to Boost Ties With Thailand
Pakistan and Thailand are considering a free trade agreement and hope to build a stronger, economically vibrant Asia, Pakistan’s prime minister said in Bangkok yesterday.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said after talks with his Thai counterpart, Thaksin Shinawatra that their countries also hope to boost cooperation in food processing, construction, tourism, and gems and jewelry.
