JF-17 Thunder aircraft reaches at stage to be assembled in Pakistan – June 30, 2009
Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force formally inaugurated the Final Assembly work of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft in a simple but impressive ceremony held at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra. Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Air Staff highlighted the significance of the occasion as a major step towards the long-term goal of self reliance in military aviation industry. Highlighting the significance of the occasion, he said JF-17 is a light combat aircraft, developed to meet the PAFs specific requirements. It would be replacing PAF aging fleet of A-5s, F-7s and Mirages. The aircraft is capable of carrying variety of conventional and precision guided bombs, Air-to-Air, Air-to-Sea missiles of both short and beyond visual ranges. The weapon carrying capabilities of the aircraft would enable its employment in day and night multi-role tasks on land, sea and air. The aircraft would add to PAFs operational capability manifold and help retain the much needed balance in air power in sub continent. He further said, The JF-17 Programme had two main objectives: strengthening of our national security through indigenous production of fighter aircraft and building up of Pakistans Aviation Industries. As we stand today, most of our technical infrastructure is complete and all machines and equipment have either been ordered or received in country and are in the process of commissioning. Similarly, a lot of hard work has gone into <b>…</b>
