The arrival ceremony of two JF-17s Thunder fighter aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan was held on Monday at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra, near Islamabad.
Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, senior PAF officers and visiting Chinese delegates attended. Air Chief JF-17 aircraft met pilots, engineers and technicians appreciated their hard work and devotion for translating a dream into reality. The two JF-17s arrived here last week and have first public appearance in Islamabad at fly past on Pakistan Day March 23 joint services parade.
Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhry, Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board, Kamra and Air Vice Marshal Farhat Hussain, Chief Project Director JF-17 received the PAF chief. JF-17 is advanced multirole Light Combat Aircraft jointly invested and developed by China and Pakistan. It is a key collaboration strategic project between the two countries in defence field.
It made great success through tremendous efforts and contribution by both sides. Major milestones, achieved so far, include first flight of Prototype-01 in August 2003, of Prototype-03 in April 2004. On 10 May, 2006, JF-17 Prototype 04 aircraft with fully integrated configuration made its successful maiden flight in Chengdu, China, taking programme to a new height of success. Prototype 06, made its maiden flight in September, 2006.
The flight tests of prototype aircraft in China are moving forward smoothly. In order to speed up development progress and facilitate maturity, two aircraft arrived here for further tests, flight evaluation by PAF which will be of great help in improving performance and making JF-17 more competitive and reliable.