Indian Government news, Continuing to strengthen the existing defence ties between the two countries, China and Pakistan held the maiden operational test flight of a prototype of 'JF-17 Thunder' multi-role combat aircraft, paving way for serial production for their own use as well as for exports.
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According to the news agency, the fourth prototype aircraft JF-17 Thunder took off from a People's Liberation Army Air Force airbase in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province.
Chief of the Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed along with a high-level Sino-Pakistani military delegation witnessed the test flight, the agency said.
Notifying the importance of the maiden test flight, the defence sources said, the “success” at the first operational test flight would enable China and Pakistan to formally start its production for their own use as well as for exports to developing countries.
Formal production of the new aircraft would start marking a major leap forward in bilateral cooperation of the two countries in the defence sector, the sources said. Further the PAF is expecting the delivery of first JF-17 aircraft in early 2007.
Moreover it plans to induct more than 100 JF-17 Thunder aircraft to replace a fleet of ageing Mirage fighters F-7 and A-5.
At first, the aircraft equipped with advanced electronics and weapon systems will be manufactured at Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC). Later, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra will start production of the aircraft in June 2007.
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Previously China has test-flown prototypes PT-1, PT-2 and PT-3 focussing on operational flight capabilities.
The PT-4 prototype test-flown today was to assess the aircraft's avionics and weapons integration, sources said.
According to the Pakistani media, incorporating advanced design and state-of-the-art technology, the aircraft will envisage comprehensive combat capability of a third generation fighter.
In view of the experts, with advanced design and manufacturing technology, the export-oriented fighter plane is small, low-cost and suitable for modern warfare and the demands of military fighters, one report said.
Besides, the JF-17 fighter jet project, which China and Pakistan jointly funded, started in 1999 when CATIC signed a co-operative agreement with the Pakistan Air Force.
Since then, CATIC, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Company, Chengdu Aircraft Designing Institute and the Pakistan Air Force have been developing aircraft.
