ISLAMABAD – Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan has said that production of Block III variant of JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is expected to begin this year, the Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday.
In an interview with a weekly magazine Jane’s Defense, the air chief said that a new Chinese radar will be used in these aircraft.
The remaining three JF-17 Block II aircraft will be received at the end of June, Mujahid Khan said.
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) has produced 50 Block I aircraft and 62 Block II JF-17s to date including the 12 Block II jets ordered in 2017. The PAF has currently 85 JF-17 Block I and II operationally deployed.
F-17 Block III aircraft will reportedly be fitted with a new electronic warfare system, upgraded avionics including a three-axis fly-by-wire digital flight control system, a helmet-mounted display and sight system, and Pakistan’s first Chinese-made AESA.
