Pak ready to test new fighter aircraft

The Times of India ^ | August 30 2003 | Associated Press

[knighthawk]

ISLAMABAD: The prototype of a new Pakistani fighter plane developed in cooperation with China is ready for its maiden flight, a senior air force official said on Saturday.

The JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft is scheduled to have its first test flight within three or four days, Air Vice Marshal Shahid Lateef told reporters.

Pakistan's air force has an annual budget of US$500 million. It operates 500 aircraft including several Chinese built models. The two countries have cooperated on a number of projects, and China is Pakistan's main defense supplier.

Lateef, who is also the chief project manager, said that JF-17 Thunder will be capable of delivering short-range and other missiles.

Production of the JF-17 Thunder is scheduled for January 2006, he said.

A long and exhaustive series of tests are needed in the development of a modern fighter aircraft before it enters production.

Pakistan's air force spokesman, Air Commodore Sarfraz Ahmad, said that the country's defense industry plans to build 10 JF-17 test prototypes in 2004.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[ccmay]

The JF-17 as seen by the United States Air Force:

-ccm

[Bobby777]

got an available picture?

[txzman]

This new aircraft woiuld have the same warning signs painted on the side as does that of the Iraqi, Libyan and Syrian Air Forces vs. the US - "You fly, you die".

[demlosers]

I think the JF-17 is a redesignation of FC- 1.

[knighthawk]

http://www.china-military.org/units/acft/fc1.htm

(Note the FC-1 was renamed JF-17)

[Bobby777]

thanks guys ... the F-22, F-35, F-15, F-16, F-18 should all pack its lunch quite nicely ...

[Pearls Before Swine]

thanks guys ... the F-22, F-35, F-15, F-16, F-18 should all pack its lunch quite nicely ...

The real issue is how this stacks up against what India has, not what the US has. Does anyone know?

[knighthawk]

The Indians buy their stuff from Russia. They recently bought a shipment of SU-30's, and modified them with better technology.

Look here were the same question is asked (reply 9):

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/953328/posts

[Bobby777]

India also flies the SU-27, which evolved into the various SU-30 models (among others) ... they have fairly long-range AA missiles ... one Indian fighter pilot was shot down by the Pakistani's during an engagement several years ago in an SU-27 ... I think they got him with ground fire, but I don't recall exactly ...

[IndianChief]

one Indian fighter pilot was shot down by the Pakistani's during an engagement several years ago in an SU-27 ... I think they got him with ground fire,

It was a MiG-23/27, during the Kargil conflict. Indian officials at the time claimed that he bailed out after an engine flame-out, an all too common occurence in Indian MiGs. The Pakistanis claimed they got him with a missile.

The Su-30 MKI was not inducted into the Indian Air Force then.

[Bobby777]

those are swing-wing, like the SU-24 Fencer, no?

[IndianChief]

those are swing-wing, like the SU-24 Fencer,no

Yes , Mig 23's and 27's are swept winged. However neither version has distinguished itself in Indian service.

Google gives interesting links. search for both MIG23 and MIG 23.

[Bobby777]

thanks ... I often use FAS.org and GlobalSecurity.Org ...