JF-17 Thunder aircraft arrives in Pakistan     
By Shoaib Jabbar 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The arrival ceremony of the JF-17s Thunder fighter aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan was held at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra on Monday.

Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed was the chief guest at the ceremony which was attended by senior ranking officers of Pakistan Air Force and visiting Chinese delegation.

The chief guest inspected the JF-17 Thunder aircraft and met the pilots, engineers and technicians. He greatly appreciated their hard work and devotion for translating a dream into reality.

The two JF-17s had arrived in Pakistan in the first week of March, 2007.

The chief guest, on his arrival at the ceremony, was received by Air Marshal Khalid Chaudhry, Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board, Kamra and Air Vice Marshal Farhat Hussain, Chief Project Director JF-17.

The JF-17 Thunder aircraft is scheduled to have its first public appearance in Islamabad, on March 23, during fly past of National Day Joint Services Parade.

JF-17 Thunder aircraft is an advanced multirole Light Combat Aircraft jointly invested and developed by China and Pakistan. It is a key collaboration strategic project between two countries in the military field.

The project has made great success through tremendous efforts and contribution by both sides.

Major milestones, achieved so far, include first flight of Prototype-01 in August 2003 and that of Prototype-03 in April 2004. On 10 May, 2006, JF-17 Prototype 04 aircraft with fully integrated configuration made its successful maiden flight in Chengdu, China, taking the programme to a new height of success.

Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force, was the Chief Guest on that historic occasion.

The Prototype 06, made its maiden flight in September, 2006.

The flight tests of prototype aircraft in China are moving forward smoothly.

In order to speed up the development progress and to facilitate maturity of JF-17s, two aircraft have arrived in Pakistan for further tests and flight evaluation by Pakistan Air Force.

The flight evaluation to be conducted by PAF will be a great deal of help in improving the performance of aircraft and making the JF-17 aircraft more competitive and reliable. ●