JF-17 Thunder's worldwide hype

The Indian Air Force has demanded from its government that the country's scientists should conduct research on building a fighter jet. The Indian government agreed and entrusted the government agency, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, with the task of initiating research into the development of a home-made fighter jet.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited designed the fighter jet six years later. However, the work of putting it into practice continued with the trick of a tortoise. As a result, the first experimental (prototype) aircraft based on the design was completed 26 years later. This Indian-made aircraft was named HAL Tejas.

In 1967, Hall Tejas made its first experimental flight. It took fourteen years for more test flights of the Indian warplane to take place. Finally, God willing, on January 2, two halls became part of the Indian Air Force. It was as if they could now be blown up on the battlefield.

A total of  1billion was spent on the Hall Tejas project. India Aeronautics Limited will build 50 aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force. It is clear from the above facts that it took Indian scientists and craftsmen about forty-five years to build a home-made warplane. This is definitely a long time.

Since 2003, Russia and India have launched a joint project to build another fighter jet, the Sukhoi Hall FGFA. But even after 12 years, the project is still in its infancy. Some time ago, it was reported that India has pulled out of the project. However, the Russian government denies this. However, at least one billion rupees have been spent on this project, but in practice it is limited to paperwork only.

Pakistan's efforts

In 1989, the Pakistan Air Force also realized that the warplanes in its fleet were getting old. It was then decided to build a low-cost "multi-role" fighter jet in Pakistan with the help of foreign companies. The "multi-role" is a fighter aircraft that can perform both basic attack and defense responsibilities. So the Pakistan Air Force, in collaboration with the American armaments company Grumman and the Chinese Air Force launched "Project Saber 11". The plan was to build a multi-role fighter jet called the FA Saber.

The plan was to start a riot in China in the year 2000. Later, the United States imposed economic sanctions on China under the guise of these riots. So the American company dropped out of the Grumman project. The United States soon imposed economic sanctions on Pakistan as it continued its nuclear program. In this unfortunate situation, Project Saber was terminated.

Pakistan and China, however, have been negotiating to build a low-cost state-of-the-art multi-role aircraft. Finally, a Memorandum of Understanding was reached between the two brotherly countries to build the aircraft. The aircraft was flown to China by FC. * Xiaoling's name was found. FC stands for "Fighter China". In Chinese, Xiaoling means "fighting a dragon."

The proposed multi-role fighter jet became known in Pakistan as the JF-1 Thunder. JF stands for "Joint Fighter". The aircraft was to be jointly developed by scientists, engineers, and craftsmen from Pakistan's state-owned aircraft manufacturer, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China's state-owned aircraft manufacturer, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.

The Pakistan Air Force wanted the new multi-role aircraft to be used to be fitted with equipment made by European companies. In fact, there was an impression at the time that Chinese equipment was not very innovative or durable. The Chinese Chengdu Company accepted the demand for clean air.

The design of the JF-2 continued to develop over the next few years. The design committee was headed by Chinese scientist Yang Wei. (Yang Wei was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan in 2006 for his significant role in the development of JF-2.)

When the design of the aircraft was completed, the construction of its airframe or infrastructure began. The "5%" part of the JF-3 airframe was developed by Pakistani experts. Chinese scientists and engineers did the rest of the 5%. It is as if Pakistani artisans can proudly say that they played the most important role in making JF-1 Thunder.

In 1998, Pakistan detonated a nuclear bomb in response to India's atomic bombings, but the United States and other Western countries did not like the audacity of an Islamic and developing country. As a result, the United States, which has thousands of atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs, imposed new economic sanctions on Pakistan. Due to them, the installation of equipment of European arms companies on JF-1 was hampered.

When the rumor of nuclear explosions ended, Pakistan again approached European companies. Eventually, some companies promised to provide equipment. Therefore, work began again on the preparation of the first experimental (prototype) model of JF-2. Radar, guns, engines, missiles began to be installed in it. Cockpit created. Flying auxiliaries were installed. The test aircraft was fitted with a Russian-made engine, the Klimov RD-3. China manufactures this engine with the permission of a Russian company.

Finally, on May 6, the first test model of the JF-1 Thunder was ready. It was named "PT-3". So in just eight short years, Pakistani and Chinese experts have jointly developed a low-cost multi-role aircraft. The project cost a total of  500million.

Honor of Pakistani experts

Thus, Pakistani and Chinese scientists not only built the JF-1 Thunder in a much shorter time than the Hall Tejas but also halved the cost. It is true that Hall Tejas is a relatively modern aircraft from JF-1 for some reason, but the real difference on the battlefield is the pilot's experience, skill, and enthusiasm. If an experienced and enthusiastic pilot is flying even a light aircraft, he can use his skills to chew on a powerful enemy.

We do not know the names of the Pakistani scientists, engineers, and craftsmen who took part in the development of JF-3 Thunder, but they are the real heroes of the Pakistani nation. They worked day and night to build multi-role fighter jets to strengthen national defense. Their hard work paid off and today JF-1 Thunder is playing an important role in the defense of the country. We salute our heroes.

Interestingly, until then, this joint venture between Pakistan and China was known among Pakistani experts as the "Super-3", but in 1989, the new multi-role fighter was formally renamed the JF-3 Thunder. went. PT-3 flew experimental flights over the next several months. In April, two Pakistani pilots, Rashid Habib and Muhammad Ehsanul Haq flew PT-1 for the first time.

When the test aircraft was found to be complete in every way, the government of Pakistan ordered its regular preparation. However, from time to time the aircraft was modified to make it a more efficient fighter. In the coming months, two JF-3 Thunders were launched in China.

The two planes landed on Pakistani soil on March 2. On the auspicious occasion of Pakistan Day on March 8, these planes flew in front of the Pakistani people for the first time and captivated the hearts of all Pakistanis with their splendor and awe.

The JF-3 Thunder is now being developed at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The company is capable of producing 25 such aircraft each year. At present, more than 100 JF-3s have been added to the Pakistan Air Force. Meanwhile, three versions of the multi-role aircraft have also emerged.

The first version of JF-1 Thunder is called "Block One". Preparations for "Block Two" began in 2006. This second version has more advanced equipment and weapons than the first. Work on the third version or Block III of the aircraft has been going on since 2006. This is the latest version of JF-1 Thunder.

Preparation of Block III

On March 5, Yang Wei revealed at a press conference in China that preparations for the JF-3 Block III was in the final stages. It is as if this modern aircraft will be delivered to the Pakistan Air Force this year or next year. This will help strengthen the air defense.

In this Block III version, experts will install state-of-the-art radar, "Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA). Other modern and important devices include a helmet-mounted display and site, a single pencil multi-functional display, and an infrared search track system.

Experts say that with the installation of state-of-the-art equipment, the JF-1 Thunder will be on par with the US F-16 in Block III performance. But even then, it will cost half as much as the F-16, or  32million.

That is why developing countries that are keen to buy low-cost modern aircraft are interested in buying the JF-1 Thunder. So far, the Burmese and Nigerian air forces have ordered JF-3. The Burmese Air Force needs 12 while the Nigerian Air Force needs three JF-1 Thunder.

In addition, Malaysia is also interested in buying a masterpiece of Pak-China technology. In this regard, Indian aircraft, Tejas and South Korean made F-8 are also under consideration of the Malaysian government. Malaysia will initially buy six aircraft. Later 4 more fighter jets will be purchased.

The JF-1 Thunder has the advantage over the Hall Tejas and the F-8 over the fact that the Pakistan Air Force has used the aircraft on the battlefield. The terrorists were first bombed by JF-2 in the northern areas. Later, it also competed with Indian aircraft. JF-2 Thunder dropped two Indian planes in the skies of Kashmir and made its mark all over the world.

Characteristics of the aircraft

The The following is an overview of the features of the JF-1 Thunder. These are the features of the Block Two multi-role aircraft.

٭ Pilot… One

Length 14.93 meters (49 ft)

The wingspan is 9.48 meters

Height 4.72 m (15.5 ft)

 Weight without weapons etc. 6586 kg

 Weapons and fuel weigh 4325 kg

 Maximum weight while flying is 12383 kg

 Fuel storage capacity 2329 kg

٭ Engine… Klimov RD. * After Burning Tryphena

٭ Maximum speed Mach 1.2 (1966 km per hour). (Block 3 speed will be 2 Mach)

٭ High Flying Range… 61961 meters (55,500 feet)

Number of weapons

٭ A 23 mm double-barrel cannon

* Seven hardpoints on which weapons, etc. are installed.

* JF-3 Thunder can be used for surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles. It has SD. *10 A missile also seems to be a Beyond visual range weapon. In other words, it is possible to hit a plane flying several miles away by radar.

 Various types of unguided and guided bombs are attached to the aircraft.