JF-17 - Updates, News & Discussion

[Aziqbal]

the last set of Block II and Block III were delivered years ago

twin seaters have also been inducted years ago

what has Kamra been doing since that time ?

there has been a time lag and nothing has been done in that time

by now 50 x Block 3 should already have been built

 

[hussain0216]

There is a line in China. Pakistan doesn't have 100% manufacturing capacity.

I could be wrong, but I think China now only manufacturers parts for the JF17 and the only line is in Pakistan

Keeping a line open costs money, so unless it's actively being used it's futile to keep it open

 

[Ali_Baba]

Everything currently is going towards fulfilling export orders

Now if Azerbaijan has expanded its order to 40 jets, then I don't know if any follow on order will be slowed down to meet domestic demand

But their are always rumours of export orders for JF17s and their are a number of interested parties

So I don't know how they will prioritize things

The production capacity of PAC is 24 units/year. The capacity can be split between PAF and Azerbijan at 12 each after the initial order is done for Azerbijan. Azerbijan needs time to absorb and train new crew and move its infrastructure over for the new planes, so i dont see them wanting to absorb 24/year. PAF can absorb larger numbers as it is a larger airforce but not Azerbijan.

 

[Rational Philosopher]

The production capacity of PAC is 24 units/year. The capacity can be split between PAF and Azerbijan at 12 each after the initial order is done for Azerbijan. Azerbijan needs time to absorb and train new crew and move its infrastructure over for the new planes, so i dont see them wanting to absorb 24/year. PAF can absorb larger numbers as it is a larger airforce but not Azerbijan.

Why would you build an entire production line in Azerbaijan for like 20-40 jets maximum and in the process spend crazy amounts on that infrastructure? It's not even a proposal worth considering, obviously will not happen.

Production capacity if it is so urgently needed can probably be ramped up within Pakistan itself. There's just not an urgent need.

 

[Toxic]

The production capacity of PAC is 24 units/year. The capacity can be split between PAF and Azerbijan at 12 each after the initial order is done for Azerbijan. Azerbijan needs time to absorb and train new crew and move its infrastructure over for the new planes, so i dont see them wanting to absorb 24/year. PAF can absorb larger numbers as it is a larger airforce but not Azerbijan.

I believe they have already built the infrastructure so they are probably expecting them soon (likely by September)

 

[Ali_Baba]

Why would you build an entire production line in Azerbaijan for like 20-40 jets maximum and in the process spend crazy amounts on that infrastructure? It's not even a proposal worth considering, obviously will not happen.

Production capacity if it is so urgently needed can probably be ramped up within Pakistan itself. There's just not an urgent need.

I DID NOT suggest that we build an entire production line in Azerbaijan. Please re-read my post again..

 

[Ali_Baba]

I believe they have already built the infrastructure so they are probably expecting them soon (likely by September)

It depends on which airbases the jets will be deployed at and if local infrastructure at those bases need to be converted over, and people retrained? I cant imagine they would have all 40 jets at one base ?

 

[TAC]

China has two different engines that can power the JF17 ( WS-13/WS-21 and potentially the WS-19 when it matures ).

List of Chinese aircraft engines - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I would not be suprised if the entire JF17 fleet gets re-engined(when the RD-33 runs out of service life) with a Chinese engine where the JF17/J-35 fleets both share the same engine like the WS-19(or WS-21 depending on timelines). It will bring maintenance cost savings and operational flexibility and increase in capabilities due to better electrical power generation capabilities.

This is pointless theatrics and drama by India.

Agreed. India tried its best to block the engine when the project was in its infancy and at time when they were a lot closer to Russia than they are now. It didn’t work then because of China’s influence so why is it going to work now? India is just thrashing around like a big fat wounded elephant after the beat g it got, because it can’t really do anything else.

 

[Toxic]

It depends on which airbases the jets will be deployed at and if local infrastructure at those bases need to be converted over, and people retrained? I cant imagine they would have all 40 jets at one base ?

Is there actually any credible source saying Azerbaijan has expended it's order?

 

[hoopoe]

I'm guessing PK has to prioritise JF export orders to help fund its own j-10 order

 

[hussain0216]

I'm guessing PK has to prioritise JF export orders to help fund its own j-10 order

More so to fund PFX

 

[m52k85]

Not seen any new pictures of the JF-17 Thunder Block 3 since serisl number 23-323. That was 2 years ago.

According to retired Air Commodore Khalid Chishti who has exclusive access to PAF, in a recent interview (with Siasat.pk I think?), said that Pakistan Air Force is currently operating over 200 JF-17 Thunders.

Publically known JF-17 Thunder inventory so far:
(50+59+26+23 -(4)) = 154

So, has Pakistan quietly acquired at least 46 additional JF-17 Thunder Block-3 aircrafts in the last 2-3 years without making any announcements?

By the way, Air Commodore's YouTube Channel if you're interested.

Khalid Chishti

Air Commodore Khalid Chishti (R) joined PAF as a fighter pilot and commanded a Fighter Squadron and flew over 3000 hours. He also remained Faculty Member at NDU, Islamabad, PAF Air War College, Naval War College. He worked as Assistant to PAF Chief on Training and Education and also a remained...

youtube.com

I think he is just speaking ballpark (afterall 154 rounds to 200 in hundreds). PAF has confirmed through Alan Warnes, the last Jf-17 squadron to convert was no.8 and future ones are delayed due to "foreign orders".

 

[m52k85]

The numbers add up without any surprises for those keeping tabs on yearly production, induction.

Production is 14 to 16 per year. 2021 production was inducted in 2022. 2022 production inducted in 2023 and appears with PAF serials 23-3xx (probably upto 23-330 even though 323 is highest scene). 2023 production was the one that was initially diverted to Azb, hence Alan's tweet of 2024.

Now we could be in the process of the converting the 3rd blk 3 squadron based on 2024 production unless they have also been diverted to fulfil the allegedly larger Azeri order.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[frontline360news]

Are there any images of JF-17 aircraft produced in 2024 and 2025 ?