ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force on Wednesday inducted 14 dual-seat multirole JF-17 fighter jets into its fleet and announced that it was beginning production of state-of-the-art JF-17 Thunder Block 3 fighter jets, an advanced variant of the aircraft, to boost the country’s defense capabilities, the air chief announced.
The 14 multi-combat aircrafts, produced in collaboration with China, were rolled out at a ceremony at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra. The inauguration was attended by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong and several Nigerian officials.
“These aircrafts will help boost our operational capabilities and serve as a strong deterrent to maintain peace,” the air chief told reporters after the induction ceremony.
Pakistan’s nuclear-armed neighbor and arch-rival India recently acquired high-tech Rafale fighter jets from France, giving it an advantage over Pakistan Air Force.
“The new variant of the JF-17 will be equipped with latest radars and other gadgets, and it will match the capability of Rafale,” the air chief said. “We have conveyed an effective message to India in February [2019] that don’t mess with us,” the air chief added, referring to Pakistan shooting down an Indian fighter jet and capturing its pilot in an aerial dogfight last year.
“Red alert or no alert, Pakistan Air Force is alert all the time to defend the motherland,” he said, while responding to a question about the threat spectrum on the country’s eastern border with India.
Pakistan already inducted its first batch of eight dual-seat JF-17 aircrafts into the PAF fleet in December last year.
“We have ensured timely roll out of the remaining 14 aircrafts despite disruption in our production unit due to the coronavirus pandemic,” the air chief said, thanking China for helping achieve the milestone.
Talking about the export of fighter jets, the air chief said numerous countries were taking interest in buying the JF-17, but it would be premature to name them.
Speaking during the induction ceremony, the Chinese ambassador congratulated Pakistan for the Block-II dual-seat joining its air defense fleet.
“Pakistan Air Force Block-3 is a very important project,” Nong said, adding that Pakistan-China “cooperation in the defense production is an example of our friendship.”
Pakistan inducts 14 dual-seat JF-17 fighter jets into air force fleet
https://arab.news/99beg
Pakistan inducts 14 dual-seat JF-17 fighter jets into air force fleet
- Announces production of state-of-the-art JF-17 Thunder Block 3 fighter jets, an advanced variant of the aircraft
- Air chief says numerous countries were taking interest in buying JF-17 aircraft from Pakistan, premature to name interested parties
Rain delays Pakistan-New Zealand Super Eights clash in Colombo
- Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat before showers halted play
- Fakhar Zaman returns as both teams seek early advantage in Group 2
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Super Eights clash against New Zealand at the Twenty20 World Cup was delayed by rain in Colombo on Saturday after captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first.
The Group 2 encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium marks the start of the tournament’s second phase for both sides, with Sri Lanka and England also in the group. The match was scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Pakistan time, but persistent showers prevented the start of play.
“Rain delays the start of the match,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a post on X.
Pakistan made one change from their final group-stage fixture, recalling Fakhar Zaman in place of Khawaja Nafay. New Zealand brought back regular captain Mitchell Santner along with Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson.
Earlier in the week, Pakistan sealed their place in the Super Eights with a 102-run win over Namibia after posting 199-3, while New Zealand also advanced after finishing second in their group.
The second phase of the tournament began without former champions Australia, who failed to qualify, while Zimbabwe topped Group B with an unbeaten campaign.
With rain continuing in Colombo, officials were monitoring conditions to determine whether a shortened contest would be possible.
A washout would see both teams share points, potentially affecting semifinal calculations in the tightly contested group.
With input from AP
