Latest news with #PakistanAeronauticalComplex
India.com
6 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Pakistan's much hyped JF-17 fighter jet with Chinese frame and Russian engine costs..., much cheaper than India's...
New Delhi: Tensions between India and Pakistan are at an all-time high following the ceasefire. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attacked several Indian border towns with drones and missiles. India also retaliated strongly and destroyed many Pakistani targets. In the meantime, there is a lot of discussion about India's Rafale fighter jet and Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. India has purchased Rafale from France, while the JF-17 Thunder has been jointly developed by China and Pakistan. There is a significant price difference between the two. Rafale is considered the second most expensive fighter in the world after the F-22, while the price of JF-17 Thunder is comparatively much lower. The JF-17 Thunder is considered the backbone of Pakistan's Air Force alongside the F-16 fighter. It was built by the Chinese company Avic Chengdu Aircraft Co Ltd. Shares of this company rose by 53 percent in five days during the conflict. The JF-17 Thunder is a fourth-generation lightweight, single-engine multirole fighter. It has been jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). The JF-17 can be used for multiple roles, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship, and aerial reconnaissance. The JF-17 can deploy diverse ordnance, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship missiles, guided and unguided bombs, and a 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel autocannon. Powered by a Guizhou WS-13 or Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan, it has a top speed of Mach 1.6. The JF-17 was inducted in the PAF in February 2010. Although a lot of makeshift technology has been used in this fighter, it features a Chinese airframe, a Western avionics system, and a Russian engine. Its biggest advantage is that it is very cheap. This is why countries that cannot afford expensive fighters like Rafale, F-16, and Eurofighter Typhoon opt for JF-17 Thunder. These include Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Nigeria. According to media reports, the price of one unit is 25 million dollars, which is about 2.13 billion rupees, while the price of Rafale is around 135 million dollars or 11 billion rupees.
India.com
30-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Turkey and Pakistan's friend places order for 24 Chinese JF-17 fighter jets against India's friend armed with Indian weapons, the countries are...
New Delhi: Azerbaijan, which has been entangled in a long-standing conflict with Armenia, has taken a major step to enhance the strength of its air force by opting to purchase Chinese JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets. Azerbaijan has currently signed a deal for 24 new jets. The entire deal is for the purchase of a total of 40 jets at $4.2 billion. If Azerbaijan uses these aircraft against its adversary Armenia, it may have to contend with India's Akash air defense system, as India has sold its Akash system to Armenia. To counter the weapons received by Azerbaijan from Pakistan, Turkey, and China, Armenia has weapons from India. A report from the Bulgarian military post states that Azerbaijan signed a deal for 16 JF-17 Thunder Block III jet airplanes in February 2024. This deal was worth 1.6 billion dollars. Now, a deal for 24 more aircraft has been made between the two countries. The JF-17 jet has been jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China's Chengdu Industry Group. It is cheaper than Western aircraft such as the F-16 or Eurofighter Typhoon and is easier to maintain. Therefore, Azerbaijan has purchased it. How powerful is the JF-17? The JF-17 fighter jet is a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft. Its length is 14.93 meters. It is equipped with the Russian RD-93MA turbofan engine, which allows it to reach a speed of 1.6 Mach and an altitude of 50,000 feet. This jet features the KLJ-7A active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which helps it track targets over long distances. The JF-17 Thunder Block-III has avionics and a helmet-mounted display system. It can operate with a variety of weapons, such as guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and PL-15E air-to-air missiles. This jet has eight hardpoints, allowing it to carry up to 4,000 kilograms of weight. In this way, this aircraft will significantly enhance Azerbaijan's military capabilities. Armenia-Azerbaijan Tension There is tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan is receiving continuous arms supplies from Turkey and Pakistan. On the other hand, Armenia has friendship with India. For India, Armenia has been not only a defense partner but also a political partner in the region. It has supported India's position on Jammu and Kashmir. India has provided Armenia with the Akash defense system for air security. This system is particularly crucial for Armenia. Additionally, Armenia has received ammunition, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, and anti-tank weapons from India. Armenia has also received the advanced towed artillery gun system howitzer from India.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
74 years of China-Pakistan relations: A historical overview
Listen to article This year, China and Pakistan are celebrating their 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which were established on May 21, 1951. Since then, Pakistan and China have had historical ties deeply rooted in mutual trust, shared strategic interests, and support at the regional and global level. The 1965 Indo-Pakistan war proved to be a real catalyst in cementing these ties, as China fully supported Pakistan. China's image improved exponentially after the war and positively impacted the Pakistani psyche. For instance, China always supported Pakistan's stance on Kashmir while Pakistan endorses the 'One China Principle' and firmly supports China's stance on Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both countries have also enhanced their economic, defense, and cultural ties. This is a unique and historic time for Pakistan and China as Pakistan won the battle from India and destroyed the enemy's six jet fighters, including three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, and one SU-30, by using Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets. Earlier in 2019, Pakistan shot down an Indian MiG-21 by a JF-17 fighter jet jointly co-developed and manufactured by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chinese Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Likewise, China's made PL-15E air-to-air missile was also used in the recent airstrikes by Pakistan's Air Force (PAF) on India, as per media reports. The recent military combat between the PAF and the Indian Air Force (IAF) has drawn the attention of the whole world towards the effectiveness and accuracy of Chinese weaponry, including fighter aircraft and air defense missiles. The military experts on international media are discussing the war arms credibility of China and the capability of the use of these weapons by Pakistan's forces in a short-term military encounter between the two neighbors and traditional rivals. Resultantly, the market of the Chinese Aircraft manufacturers goes up, and according to Bloomberg, Chengdu Aircraft Corporation's market value rose by more than 55 billion yuan, over a quarter increase, underscoring investor confidence in the jet's perceived battlefield effectiveness. The year 2025 should be celebrated as a year of strong defense ties between China and Pakistan. The 74th anniversary is significant for two aspects for both brotherly countries. For Pakistan, it has won the battle against India by using Chinese fighter jets and missiles, and for China, the military weaponry emerged as the most credible fighting arms compared with the western-made. This is the second time when Chinese military weapons were used by Pakistan against Indian aggression, and it has successfully passed the test, and now it is also a pride for China that the world is discussing the significance of the Chinese-made defense arms. As a result of the recent conflict, both the Chinese and the Pakistani nations came closer, and it is being felt that both are holding each other's hands and protecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, strategic interest, and moving towards further strengthening a strong bilateral relationship. This expression can be witnessed on social media platforms, including Facebook, X, TikTok in Pakistan, while on Weibo and WeChat in China. The conflict between India and Pakistan is over now, and this is high time for Pakistan to look into the internal security affairs, particularly in Balochistan, and launch an operation against the terrorist outfit Balochistan Liberation Army. The elimination of the BLA from Balochistan would provide an opportunity for the smooth functioning of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and ensure further Chinese investments in Pakistan. The Chinese investors are ready to bring their investments to Pakistan, but the issue of security is the main obstacle and which must be sorted out as a top priority. The CPEC has become a rare window of opportunity for Pakistan's economic development, and the total investment volume is estimated now at around $62 billion and of out if it $25 billion has already been spent on multiple energy and infrastructure projects. Thus, Pakistan should provide foolproof security to Chinese workers and a safe environment for timely investments and completion of the projects under the CPEC. In addition to this, China should also enhance cooperation with Pakistan by providing advanced technology and security equipment for surveillance to implement Pakistan's 'neighborhood watch strategy' to prevent insurgents from disrupting CPEC projects. As China has always supported Pakistan in combating terrorism and maintaining regional stability. In my view, an economically strong Pakistan is a guarantee for regional peace and stability; any opposition to the CPEC thus evokes negative vibes in Pakistan. Over time, the China-Pakistan relationship has deepened further, and both countries have enhanced defense and economic cooperation. With the implementation of the CPEC projects, deepening cultural and educational links and unprecedented military collaboration, the friendship would be further strengthened in the upcoming years. The writer is a senior journalist, former fellow of ICFJ, and PhD from Tsinghua University.
News18
09-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Where Did Pakistan Get Its JF17s And F16s From? How Much Do They Cost?
Last Updated: The JF-17 gives Pakistan a cost-effective strike option with local production advantages, while the F-16 remains its most sophisticated platform India on Thursday night effectively neutralised Pakistan 's attempt to hit military stations in Jammu and Punjab as well as target Rajasthan and some other locations with missiles and drones in unprecedented escalation of hostilities between the nuclear-armed rivals. While India's missile strikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK a day earlier had raised questions over the failure of Islamabad's China-made defence systems in detecting the Indian action, Thursday night's attempts by Pakistan have generated curiosity over its fighter jets – primarily its fleet of Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder jets and American-made F-16 Fighting Falcons. The JF-17 Thunder The JF-17 Thunder, a lightweight, multi-role fighter jet, is the result of a joint venture between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Developed as an affordable alternative to Western fighter jets, the aircraft is capable of both air-to-air combat and ground-attack missions. The JF-17's development traces back to the early 1990s, when the United States halted the sale of F-16s to Pakistan under the Pressler Amendment, following revelations about Islamabad's nuclear program. Seeking alternatives, Pakistan entered into an agreement with China in 1992 to co-develop what was initially dubbed the 'Super-7" project, later renamed JF-17 Thunder. A formal Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 1995, with both countries agreeing to split the $500 million development cost. The first prototype flew in August 2003, and by 2007, flight tests involving five prototypes were completed. Pakistan officially inducted its first JF-17s into service in 2010, and today operates a fleet of approximately 156 jets across multiple variants, including the latest Block III model. Each JF-17 Block I fighter costs around $15 million (roughly Rs 120 crore), while the advanced Block III variant – with improved avionics and radar – can command prices as high as $30 million. The JF-17 measures 14.3 metres in length with a wingspan of 9.4 metres, and can carry a maximum takeoff weight of 13,500 kg. About 58% of its airframe, including the wings and fuselage, is produced domestically at PAC Kamra in Pakistan, while the remaining components – chiefly engines and avionics – are imported from China. The jet is designed for versatility: it can fire a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and is equipped with modern radar systems and digital flight controls. Its agility and relatively low operational cost make it central to Pakistan's air strategy. The F-16 Fighting Falcon Pakistan's other aerial asset in the current conflict is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a battle-tested, single-engine multirole fighter developed by the American aerospace firm General Dynamics. Pakistan first procured these jets under the Peace Gate program in the 1980s, receiving 40 aircraft between 1983 and 1987. A subsequent deal for 11 more F-16s was halted in 1990 after US sanctions came into force. Deliveries resumed in 2005 after Washington lifted restrictions, and Pakistan eventually acquired 18 new F-16s. In 2014, the fleet was bolstered by the purchase of 13 second-hand jets from Jordan. Today, Pakistan's F-16 arsenal includes approximately 75 to 85 jets in various configurations (A/B/C/D variants). These aircraft serve as the backbone of Pakistan's high-end aerial fleet. Depending on configuration, each F-16 can cost anywhere from $40 million to over $70 million (Rs 300-Rs 500 crore). The JF-17 gives Pakistan a cost-effective strike option with local production advantages, while the F-16 remains its most sophisticated platform, often perceived as a deterrent due to its combat-proven design and advanced systems. First Published: May 09, 2025, 16:28 IST
Arab News
11-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, China agree to boost air force ties with joint drills, tactical training
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have agreed to enhance cooperation between their air forces, focusing on joint exercises and advanced tactical training, during a visit by the Pakistani air chief to Beijing, according to an official statement released on Friday. The two countries maintain close defense, diplomatic and economic relations. Their strategic partnership is exemplified by their collaboration on the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, co-developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft has been inducted into Pakistan's fleet and exported to countries including Myanmar, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan. The Pakistan military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement that Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held a meeting with China's Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun wherein both officials reaffirmed the joint commitment of the two countries to revitalize the existing bilateral military ties strategic cooperation. 'Both sides agreed on enhancing Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation, particularly through complex and aggressive tactical-level scenarios during aerial exercises,' the ISPR said. 'The cooperation is aimed at addressing challenges in multiple domains during joint exercises, equipping air and ground crew of both Air Forces with the skills necessary to counter modern Air and Space Warfare challenges effectively.' During his visit, the Pakistani air chief also met with China's Air Force Commander General Chang Dingqiu and Major General Cao Xiaojian, Director General of the Bureau of Military Equipment and Technical Cooperation. Sidhu's conversation with the Chinese officials focused on technology transfer and collaborative development of advanced military hardware. He also invited Chinese defense companies to participate in its National Aerospace Science & Technology Park, offering incentives for developing projects in unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare and space programs. The air chief's visit underscored the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, which extends beyond defense to include economic initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
