JF-17 production to start in 2007
Tuesday 10-05-2005
http://dailytimes.com.pk/images/10_5_2005_JF-17-map.jpg
KAMRA: Pakistan said on Monday it hoped to start the joint production of multi-role fighter jets with China from March 2007.
The first four JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft were expected to be introduced into the air force in 2006, said Air Vice Marshal Shahid Latif, the project director for JF-17 planes.
The medium-technology aircraft matches the Mirage in performance but has better avionics and weapons, Latif told reporters at the Kamra Aeronautical complex. He said the aircraft would replace the aging fleet of Mirage 3 and 5, A-5 and F-7 aircraft.
… The air vice marshal said the performance of JF-17 prototypes had exceeded expectations and China wanted 250 aircraft to be added to its fleet while Pakistan was looking to acquire 150. Pakistan was also equipping the manufacturing facility to cater for exports. “We already have some export orders,” Latif said, but did not give further details.
http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_10-5-2005_pg7_24
America is planning to phase out the F-16s in a decade as an obsolete aircraft for the American air force while Pakistan is planning to match these obsolete aircrafts in the air?