Karachi: The JF-17 Thunder aircraft, the most advanced, light-weight, all-weather and multi-role fighter aircraft, is the centre of attention at the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2022, which is ongoing at the Expo Centre in Karachi.
Wednesday is the second day of the defence exhibition which will continue till November 18. Organized by the Defence Export Promotion Organisation, the show brings together defence industries from around the world to showcase their latest technological innovations.
More than 500 participants from 57 countries and 285 delegations from 64 countries are taking part in the defence exhibition.
Defence manufacturers from Turkey, China, the US, the UK, EU countries, Middle East and Central Asian countries are exhibiting their products at the 11th edition of the expo.
The expo also showcases Pakistan’s advanced military hardware, including Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Air Defence Systems, Missile Systems, Tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs).
However, the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is the focus of the exhibition. The tail of India’s Mig-2 Bison fighter jet, shot down on February 27, 2019 during Operation Swift Retort, is also under the spotlight at the exhibition. The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet had hit the Indian aircraft.
Since Pakistan destroyed Indian jet in “Operation Swift Retort”, the demand for the JF-17 has grown exponentially.
At airshows in France and Bahrain, Pakistani pilots showcased the magical performance of JF-17 Thunder to the world, which immensely impressed air combat experts.
A few days ago, JF-17 jets roared at the Bahrain International Airshow 2022 and Israel was awestruck by it.
JF-17 jets gained international fame when it shot down Indian pilot Abhi Nandan’s plane in the famous ‘Operation Swift Retort’. Since then, the JF-17 Thunder has captured the world’s attention.
The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is also vital for Pakistan because of high demand for the domestically produced fighter plane. In the field of war technology, the Pakistani army has always shown its fantastic ability and over time, Pakistan has improved its defence capabilities. It has minimized dependence on other countries for defence-related equipment, which is being produced locally.
Pakistan’s journey towards defence independence began in 1995 when Pakistan and China signed a memorandum of understanding on the joint venture of producing the JF-17 Thunder.
Pakistani engineers began work on the aircraft and within a short time, it’s first test model was developed in 2003. The Pakistan Air Force formally added it to its air fleet in 2010. In 1998, for the first time, China signed an agreement to sell JF-17 Thunder to Pakistan during Nawaz Sharif’s regime. Nawaz Sharif was also the chief guest at the ceremony of preparing the 50th aircraft and its handover to the PAF in Kamra. The historic agreement for the sale of JF-17 aircraft to Sri Lanka was also signed in January 2016. Subsequently, in May 2021, Pakistan handed over three JF-17 Thunder aircraft to Nigeria.
Other countries have also expressed interest in buying it, including Algeria, Egypt, Bangladesh, Morocco, Nigeria, Myanmar and Zimbabwe.
Pakistan Air Force has installed Chinese-made radar in the aircraft as this radar is compatible with Chinese weapons. It has two missile warning units at the front and one at the rear. It can detect any incoming missile up to 60 km away and is also equipped with a 23 mm machine gun. It can carry SD-10 and PL-9 anti-aircraft missiles.
The JF-17 can also use Exocut, C-801 or Harpoon missiles against ships. It can also carry GPS-guided bombs such as FT, LT and LS bombs. If it is to carry laser-guided bombs, it will also have to carry a Chinese-made targeting pod. The theme of the IDEAS is “Weapons for Peace, Pakistan’s Desire for Peace and Security”.
