Pakistan invigorates its fighter fleet
If public announcements ring true, Pakistan will be the first country outside China to operate the J-10 fighter. (Gordon Arthur)
JF-17 Block III and J-10C fighters are joining the PAF this year.
Changes are afoot for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), with the first JF-17 Block III single-seat fighters set to be handed over and the J-10C fighter to be obtained from China.
Images of the first batch of JF-17 Block IIIs at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) were circulating on the internet, apparently taken during an unofficial ceremony on 31 December 2021. This date marked the beginning of production of the upgraded JF-17 at PAC Kamra a year earlier.
The pictured fighters powered by Russian RD-93 engines are still in their yellow-coloured primer but construction numbers witnessed up to ‘3P11’ indicate
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Germany signs contract for 20 Tranche 5 Eurofighters]()
Germany signs contract for 20 Tranche 5 Eurofighters
The aircraft will be delivered between 2031 and 2034 and will be upgraded with the latest electronic warfare capabilities to the EK configuration.
-
![Saab receives order to continue future fighter concept studies out to 2027]()
Saab receives order to continue future fighter concept studies out to 2027
The order from the FMV is an extension of the original contract signed in March 2024 and covers exploration of both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
-
![AUSA 2025: GA-ASI and Hanwha to produce Gray Eagle STOL in South Korea]()
AUSA 2025: GA-ASI and Hanwha to produce Gray Eagle STOL in South Korea
The Gray Eagle STOL will be made available to several international militaries, with initial customer delivery planned for 2028.
-
![AUSA 2025: AeroVironment showcases new variant of Switchblade loitering munition family]()
AUSA 2025: AeroVironment showcases new variant of Switchblade loitering munition family
The new Switchblade 400 was on display alongside new variants of existing drones: the Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20.
-
![AUSA 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partner to pursue US Army rotary training contract]()
AUSA 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partner to pursue US Army rotary training contract
Leonardo’s AW119T helicopter will be offered as a solution for the Flight School Next contract, an initiative which aims to overhaul the US Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.
-
![Denmark bolsters Arctic security with $4.2 billion spend, procures 16 additional F-35s]()
Denmark bolsters Arctic security with $4.2 billion spend, procures 16 additional F-35s
While the F-35s will help strengthen Denmark’s NATO contribution, other equipment such as a maritime patrol aircraft and additional drones were listed to further boost its Arctic defence capabilities.
