China is working on making the Block III version of its JF-17 fighter jet to match the latest version of the United States F-16 V aircraft which has become a huge sales success in a relatively short span of time.
The JF-17 is made in Pakistan with technology supplied by Chengdu Aircraft Co., of China. The Block III version, which has been in development for over 2 years now is characterized by an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, helmet-mounted targeting system, an advanced targeting pod, data links and beyond visual range weapons.
“The JF-17 is expected to be fitted with an AESA radar, helmet-mounted display and sight system,” Global Times quoted Wei Dongxu, a Chinese military expert as saying Monday.
The development of the aircraft and production are already underway.
With less than half the price of the latest generation F-16 V fighter jet and features similar to that of the venerable US aircraft, China expects the JF-17 Block III to attract countries with tight defence budgets. Already, the JF-17 has been sold to Nigeria and Myanmar.
"A lot of countries have come to buy. You sign a contract for the JF-17, you benefit," Yang Wei, a Chinese legislator and chief designer of the fighter jet said.
Malaysia has shortlisted the Chinese-Pakistani jet among the roster for its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) procurement programme. It is in competition against the Indian-made Tejas and the South Korean F-50. With an initial purchase of 12 units, Malaysia is also looking to have an option for additional 24 units in the future.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) may have used Chinese origin JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and not US-made F-16s in its dogfight with Indian MiG-21 Bison aircraft which led to one of the latter being downed and its pilot captured this morning. While an Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson in an official statement stated that Indian fighter jets chased and brought down a Pakistani aircraft which was noticed going down
Iranian and Malaysian defence officials visiting the IDEAS 2018 aerospace exhibition in Karachi have expressed interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet made in Pakistan with Chinese technology. Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Qasem Soleimani visited the fighter aircraft at the exhibition, according to local media reports Thursday
The government of Pakistan has provided a sovereign guarantee for the sale of three JF-17 aircraft to Nigerian Air Force against a sum of $184.3 million
Eyeing a possible sale of fighter jets to Poland, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) performed an aerial display with its JF-17 Thunder aircraft during the opening day of Radom International Airshow at Radom-Sakdu Airport, Poland on Sunday. Painted in the colour scheme of Pakistans national flag, the JF-17 roared in the skies of Poland
Pakistan Air Force (PAF)s JF-17 Block 3s first flight has been planned for the end of 2019, BulgarianMilitary.com reported from Islamabad
Fresh from international sales success in Myanmar and Nigeria, the Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 fighter jet is seeking new customers at Paris Air Show 2019 (PAS) and will fly on all days of the show beginning Monday. Immediate sales prospects for the JF-17 are Egypt and Malaysia both of which are interested in the upcoming Block III version
A Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet which completed its first deep overhaul in China was returned to Islamabad in March this year. The overhaul was carried out by the Changsha 5712 Aircraft Industry Company which functions under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
The Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet, in contention of Malaysias Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project along with Indias Tejas, will not be participating in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) to be held in Malaysia next week. According to the official list of participating aircraft released by the organizers, the JF-17 will not be present in the static and flying displays
Pakistan is eyeing to purchase Chinese long-range Rainbow CH-4 and CH5 drones. It is the first time that the country is acquiring a long-range drone
China has developed a prototype of a multiple terahertz radiation system that is capable of detecting stealth aircraft, Chinese experts have said. The prototype of the air-to-ground reconnaissance tool was developed by a China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) team led by scientist Li Yuanji, and a second-generation prototype is already in development, China Central Television (CCTV) reported Sunday, citing a statement released by CETC
Russia To Soon Test MC-21 Jet Powered By PD-14 Engine
Denmark to Integrate Kongsberg's Protector RWS On Piranha Military Vehicles
California to get three S-70i FIREHAWKS
Russian "Spy" Ship Receives Panama Canal Permit Following Brief Blockade
Germany To Finalise Order for 38 Eurofighter Jets, 110 E-Scan Radars
Turkish Navy to get First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier in 2020
Bechtel Bags US Navy's $1.4Bn Naval Nuclear Propulsion Components Contract
Indian Air Force to Buy 83 Tejas Jets by March 2020
Several joint production and direct procurement programs could be halted if the US and Europe carry through with their threat...
Sanctions-hit Iran has found ingenious ways to develop military hardware
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly permeating the defence industry to aid and improve human decision-making
Upgrade of Russias Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters to equip them with armaments, radar, sensors and engines from the more powerful Su-35...
US companies sanctioned by China for supplying weapons to Taiwan may be denied rare earth elements (REEs), which have critical...
While the US F-35 stealth aircraft has become one the fastest selling fighter jets in the world aircraft market, thanks...