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Can Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Block-3 Variant Outflank Indian Rafale Jets?

Pakistan has announced the production of the Block III variant of the JF-17 Thunder. The Pakistani/ Chinese JF-17 Thunder Block-3 is considered the most advanced version and experts claim it to be as capable as the Rafale jets. 

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The JF-17 is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role fighter that was designed in the wake of the PAF seeking a replacement for their aging combat aircraft such as the A-5C, F-7P/PG, Mirage III, and Mirage V.

A product of the collaboration between the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China, the JF-17 can fulfill multiple roles including interception, ground attack, anti-ship, and aerial reconnaissance.

With a current fleet of more than 100 JF-17 fighters, the Pakistan Air Force believes it has the necessary air power to confront its eastern rival, the Indian Air Force (IAF).




File:JF-17 landing.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter

On Wednesday, the PAF welcomed the double-seater JF-17B aircraft into its fleet during an event at the Kamra Airbase in the Attock district of the country. PAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ahmer Raza, said the new model would mostly be used for training purposes.

“The missiles and radar in the new planes are the same as the old planes, just one seat has been added in the new model so that the other pilot can sit and we can use these planes in training,” said Raza.

According to the PAF, while the aircraft will meet the training needs, it is fully capable of being deployed in combat operations, thereby, enhancing the Air Force’s operational capability.

The PAF also launched the production of the Block III variants of the JF-17 Thunder on the same day. It claims the Block III will be the most advanced variant of the fighter and aid Pakistan in maintaining a balance of resistance in the changing situation in the region.

According to the PAF, new radars will be installed on Block III aside from modern weapons and missiles. Moreover, the focus has been on enhancing the Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities.

“(The Block III aircraft) will be ready in about one and a half years,” said Raza.

According to retired Pakistani Air Marshal Maqsood Akhtar, the Block III JF-17 will be a fourth-generation aircraft possessing an active electronically secondary radar and better missiles.

Block 3’s JF-17 aircraft will be equipped with air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons, he said.

On the other hand, India’s ‘4+ generation’ Rafale is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft equipped with a wide range of weapons.

Received earlier this year by the Indian Air Force, the fighter can perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike, and nuclear deterrence missions.

PAF Spokesman Raza claimed the JF-17 Block III would be even better than India’s Rafale fighters.

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