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.
**