ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) Aeronautical Complex/ChengduAerospace Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 “Thunder” multirole fighter jet isreportedly slated to be upgraded with a Chinese-made active electronicallyscanned array (AESA) radar system improving the aircraft’s combatcapability, according to Chinese media reports.
Hu Mingchun, head of the Nanjing Research Institute of ElectronicsTechnology (NRIET), was quoted by the state-owned *China Daily* as sayingthat the KLJ-7A AESA radar system will substantially boost the JF-17scombat power.
“Our product will tremendously extend the fighter jet’s detection range,giving it a much longer sight that will help it detect the enemy’s aircraftbefore they do, and this is very important because in real combat if yousee first, you fire first,” Hu said. “The radar is capable of trackingdozens of targets and engaging several of them simultaneously. It also hasa good jamming-resistant capacity that keeps the plane away from enemy’selectronic interference.”
“A selected number of Block II and the future Block III variants alsofeature an in-flight refueling (IFR) probe, which suggests that theaircraft could be deployed for longer-range maritime strike missions,” Ireported last month. “The PAF and Navy have recently conducted a live-fireexercise, which included the launch of an anti-ship missile from aJF-17.”JF-17 production has been split into three production blocks: BlockI, Block II, and Block III. Block I and II aircraft fly with the NRIET’solder KLJ-7 X-band fire control radar. JF-17 Block III aircraft will notonly feature the new AESA radar system but also be fitted with a newelectronic warfare system and an improved avionics suite overall.
PAC has so far rolled out 50 Block I aircraft and 50 Block II JF-17s. Anadditional 12 Block II aircraft are expected to be handed over to the PAFby the end of 2018. PAC has an annual domestic production capability of 25JF-17 aircraft.
Following the completion of Block II production, PAC will switch to BlockIII production. A two-seat trainer variant of the JF-17, designated JF-17B,will purportedly serve as the the basis for the JF-17 Block III version ofthe aircraft.
All JF-17 variants are powered by a Chinese license-built Klimov RD-93 (anRD-33 derivative) turbofan engine. The jet fighter is a multirole combataircraft and can alternatively be armed with air-to-air, air-to-surface,and anti-ship missiles. The aircraft was specifically designed to replacePAF Mirage III/5 fighter jets. Overall, the PAF is looking to replace 190aircraft, including all of its Chengdu F-7 and Dassault Mirage III/5fighter jets by the end of the decade.