JF-17 Thunder production begins in Pakistan – Part 1/2
Another Milestone achieved by Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Chief of the air staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman inaugurated the construction in a ceremony at Kamra. Top military and civilian officials of Pakistan and China attended the ceremony. This success will enhance Pakistans air power in the region and at international scale, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said. Zindabad Pakistan He lauded the efforts of the engineers and technicians in the making of the aircraft. He also commended the Chinese cooperation and said that the joint Sino-Pak project is a living example of the cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan and China had signed an agreement for the production of 42 JF-17 fighters, which are expected to form the backbone of Pakistani aerial combat fleet in coming years. The Pakistan Air Force has so far received eight JF-17 jets from China that are being used for testing and evaluation. The PAF plans to raise its first squadron of JF-17 jets by the end of this year. Meanwhile Turkish defence company Tusas said it would modernise 42 of Pakistan F-16 jet fleet in a deal it said would be worth around $75 million. The project will begin in Oct 2010 in Tusas facilities and will take 46 months, the company said in a written statement. Tusas has modernized Jordans F-16 fighters in a deal signed in 2006
