National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Production on Saturday appreciated overall performance and professionalism of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra, where the manufacturing of fighter aircraft JF-17 is being undertaken with the help of China.
The Committee under the Chairmanship of Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, MNA, visited PAC Kamra where it was briefed in detail about various functions of PAC and was subsequently shown the facilities associated with various projects in hand at Kamra. The Committee was informed that PAC Kamra comprises four factories and is spread over an area of 10 square kilometers and has become a center of excellence in aviation engineering based on more than 30 years of experience in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of fighter aircraft, components and engines.
It was stated that the technological advancement from manufacturing of Mushshak and Super Mushshak primary flight trainer aircraft to JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft endorses the strength of PAC to meet future defence challenges.
The JF-17 Thunder is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather, day-night air superiority fighter aircraft with a mix of conventional and fly-by-wire controls that make it highly agile and maneuverable. It can fly at the speed of Mach 1.6, has high thrust to weight ratio and can engage targets at all speeds and altitudes within the conventional flying envelope. The aircraft has state-of-
The-art avionics package on board for high degree of survivability through automated system of threat detection, analysis and counter threat measures and to enable effective management of weapons and firepower. It was informed that in 1972, PAC started with the MRO of aircraft of Chinese origin and subsequently progressed towards MRO of Mirage III and V aircraft and ATAR 09C engine, F100-220E engine of F-16 aircraft, T-56 engine of C-130 aircraft and avionics upgrade of fighter aircraft.
The committee was told that PAC manufactures Mushshak and Super Mushshak aircraft for primary flight training, sub-assemblies of K-8 advanced jet trainer aircraft as well as Baaz and Ababeel aerial target drones. The Mushshak aircraft is Type Certified by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and has been issued Type Acceptance Certificate by South Africa Civil Aviation Authority.
The Super Mushshak is a two-seat, fully aerobatic (3 Gs) aircraft best suited for primary flying training of ab-initio pilots. The aircraft has logged more than 600,000 flying hours and its flight safety record places it amongst the safest and most reliable primary flight trainers. More than 300 aircraft are engaged in various training roles at the academies of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army.
The Committee was briefed that the scope of MRO service was enhanced when PAC successfully carried out overhaul of T-56 engines as well as propellers of C-130 aircraft of Pakistan Air Force. Moreover, the PAC has been certified by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), M/S Hamilton Sundstrand to carry out the overhaul of C-130 aircraft propeller on commercial basis.
At present, the PAC holds the International Aerospace Standard AS 9100 Rev B, Boeing Quality Management System and ISO 9001: 2000 as well as ISO 17025 certifications. PAC offers highly skilled manpower, established processes and technologically advance manufacturing and MRO capability at low man-hour cost that provides the requisite edge to PAC over its competitors in the respective market segment.
Sh. Aftab Ahmad, Chairman, Standing Committee appreciated the overall performance of the PAC and acknowledged the technical expertise of the PAC Engineers and other supporting staff by achieving the milestone of manufacturing JF-17 Thunder Aircraft.
The Chairman assured full support in solving the problems like financial constraints being faced by the Management of PAC. The Committee also visited four factories of PAC. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board was formed in the year 2000 to undertake commercial ventures and has been continuously contributing towards defence exports.
These include sale of 05 Super Mushshak aircraft and 03 Mushshak retrofitted to Super Mushshak aircraft to Royal Air Force of Oman, overhaul of 06 fighter aircraft of Chinese origin of Sri Lankan Air Force, sale of 20 Super Mushshak aircraft to Royal Saudi Air Force, avionics upgrade of fighter aircraft of Sri Lanka Air Force, manufacturing of parts for Boeing 747, 767 and 777 aircraft and the first sale of Mushshak 17-1 aircraft to the civil market segment in South Africa. The PAC provides quality, safety and reliability and works closely with the customers to facilitate cost-effective solutions, product support, technical assistance and after-sales service.
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