23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

Haris · March 21, 2007, 6:35pm

Pakistani JF-17 in PAF Colours.

As the PAF had promised, the govt had hoped and all Pakistanis had prayed and waited impatiently, the fighter plane built by Pakistan & China, the JF-17, has finally arrived in Pakistan during the first week of March and will make its maiden appearance for the Pakistani public on the 23 March Parade this Friday (hopefully if all goes according to schedule and no law & order situation develops).

JF-17 in PAF roundel in flight.*

The JF-17 (aka FC-1) Thunder Aircraft is an advanced multi-role Light Combat Aircraft.

Two JF-17 aircraft finally arrived at Kamra on 12 March and a formal induction ceremony was held at the PAC and was attended by Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed as the chief guest.

The JF-17 anticipation had begun in 2003 when the first prototype flew. The sixth flew in September 2006 as the people of Pakistan and China waited impatiently for induction.

According to some informal reports the first Squadron with JF-17s will be raised at PAF Base Peshawar.

This is the official JF-17 website;
http://www.jf-17.com/

The JF-17 at PAC Kamra.

ACM Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed getting the feel of the JF-17 cockpit.

A comparison with the F-16

General Musharraf with ex PAF Chief ACM Kaleem Saadat.

President General Musharraf at Chengdu.

Official JF-17 specs card by Catic

The arrival of the JF-17 is a milestone for Pakistan, its people, the military esp the Glorious PAF, its pilots and engineers, Pakistan and China friendship, Pakistani technology, the fields of engineering, Pakistan’s defence and capability. 23 March 2007 is a marvelous date for formal public appearance that shall become a historical event to be remembered inshAllah!

We must thank Allah for this achievement and honour. Pakistan is proud of its warriors and dedicated professionals. God willing our nation shall see many more similar and greater successes in the future.

Pakistan, PAF, PA & PN Zindabad!

Note: This thread is to celebrate 23 March and an important day for Pakistan’s military, PAF and an important achievement.

Mr_Fraudia · March 21, 2007, 6:44pm

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

I am always sad when i see thse pictures, nostalgic, sometimes I kick myself for walking away from PAF and making that decision..

the jet looks pretty amazing.

any pics of my old bases? faisal and masroor?

Haris · March 21, 2007, 7:04pm

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

^Aah! Join the club Pir Ji! Or perhaps your club maybe older than mine so I’ll join yours…

I’ll look for Masroor and Faisal pics. both among my fav places.
have you googleearthed them sometime?

Mr_Fraudia · March 21, 2007, 7:07pm

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

no hafta download that to the pc, one od my work pc other is begum's laptop, forbidden to download on both :(

homer_j_simpson · March 21, 2007, 9:12pm

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

It has arrived finally :k: Excellent news thanks for sharing haris bhai

Haris · March 22, 2007, 12:23pm

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

General Musharraf attended a ceremony at PAC Kamra to welcome the arrival of the JF-17 yesterday.

http://dawn.com/2007/03/22/top14.htm

Ceremony in Kamra to greet JF-17 aircraft
By Yaqoob Malik

KAMRA (Attock), March 21: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said that Pakistan had no offensive designs against any country and its armaments were for peace and self-defence.

He was addressing a ceremony at the Aeronautical Complex in Kamra to mark the arrival of two JF-17 Thunder aircraft from China. The aircraft have been jointly manufactured by Pakistan and China and would be later inducted into the Pakistan Air Force.

** “We do not foster aggressive designs against any neighbouring country but we will defend our integrity and solidarity at any cost with strong defence. Therefore, defence forces of the country are being equipped with modern defence equipment and aircraft.”The president said that the air force would be equipped with advanced aircraft and equipment to defend the motherland.**

** Referring to the JF-17 project, he said it had demonstrated the long-standing and time-tested relationship between Pakistan and China.
**
The president said that this indigenous and diversified production by the two countries would strengthen bilateral relations.

Referring to the newly-inaugurated Gwadar Port as an example of China’s cooperation, President Musharraf said that the manufacturing of JF-17 was yet another great example of China’s assistance for the prosperity of Pakistan.

** He said the JF-17 project would lead the country towards increased technological self-reliance and indegenisation which were key to an assured defence capability.**

** The president referred to the manufacturing of Super Mushak aircraft, K-8 advanced jet trainer aircraft, Ougusta submarine, Al-Khalid, Al-Zarar tanks, armed personnel carriers and a series of long- and medium-range missiles, and said these were the milestones of indegenisation.**

Later, he inspected the JF-17 aircraft.

** Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said:
*“We thank Almighty Allah for giving us the strength, wisdom and foresight to conceive the idea of the JF-17 aircraft".

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=47838

**The ceremony was attended by a delegation from China, governors of NWFP and Balochistan and ministers, besides Chairman Chiefs of Joint Staff Committee and the Naval Chief. **

…
**He said Pakistan was extremely proud to have six more JF-17 Thunder aircraft [by year end] and said the manufacture of these highly modern aircraft would be started at Aeronautical Complex Kamra by the year’s end. **

**He said arrival of JF-17 Thunder to Pakistan, which will participate in the Pakistan Day parade on March 23, was a landmark step in the history of the country and Pakistan Air Force. He said the PAF would be further equipped with latest and modern facilities and aircraft. **

He said BVR (beyond visual range) missile capability, AWACS, latest version of F-16 and FC-20 fighter planes, besides the facility of air-to-air refuelling system, would be introduced to the PAF. He acknowledged the cooperation and assistance from China in the production of the most modern, lightweight and low-cost aircraft.

On the occasion, Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mahmud Ahmed thanked for the support, cooperation and assistance provided by President Musharraf in the completion of the project of JF-17.

The president also inaugurated the construction of hanger facility for the JF-17 at the Kamra, which was being constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation.

**Cao Ye, Chief Representative of the corporation, briefed the president about the work, being done on the construction of hangers and engineering section for the manufacture of JF-17 at Kamra.

**

Encrypted · March 23, 2007, 7:49am

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

JF-17’s fly past at the JS parade, 23rd March: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ogx-3SbGNs (credits to Abdullah from pakdef).

Congrats everyone.. the bird looks awesome, mashAllah.

For some reason the pics are not uploading here, so i’m posting direct links to them:

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1597/jf17twoship23marchprepwv3.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3838/jf17specialpaintjob2ndwmd8.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/20/jf17jangfrontpagenn5.gif

Haris · March 24, 2007, 10:15am

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

Wow! The flypast at the parade was amazing. The Chief lead in his F-16, saluted with a steep upward climb and performed three curls. Other aircraft followed and in the end the two new JF-17 arrived, looking very beautiful with the belly painted as the Pak flag. Watching them fly live on TV in Pakistani space for first time was a very proud moment. MashaAllah!

Long Live PAF!
And I hope the JF-17 has long and fruitful service in the PAF.

Haris · April 3, 2007, 12:30pm

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

The flag belly JF-17s on 23 March in Islamabad skies;

chacha_Ghalib · April 4, 2007, 1:21am

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

no need to download anything.. check it out

faisal air force base

luk for the other one through the search option

Flame_of_Life · April 4, 2007, 9:06am

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

I am told this jet is inferior to F-16. I was hoping for something that would end our dependence on US for F-16's :(

system · April 9, 2007, 10:47pm

Re: 23 March 2007; a speacial arrival

Alhamdu-lillah. Truely Khoobsoorat.