Pakistan’s first ever multi-role state-of-the-art fighter jet, JF-17 Thunder, rolled out of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, and has been inducted in the Pakistan Air Force Fleet. With the marking of this milestone in the Sino-Pak joint venture in air defense system, Pakistan formally joins the ranks of the international community of fighter aircraft manufacturers.
The sophisticated JF-17 fighter, which will replace the ageing fleet of A-5s, F-7s and Mirages, will be armed with an array of conventional and precision-guided bombs, short-and beyond-visual-range air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, enabling the air force to carry out day and night operations.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani who was the Chief Guest at the handing over ceremony, informed that the JF-17 programme had provided employment to about 5000 people.
