First Squadron of JF-17 Thunder inducted in PAF

[Salman Haider]

First Squadron of JF-17 Thunder inducted in PAF

ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP): Another major milestone was achieved when the first Squadron of JF-17 Thunder formally joined fighter aircraft fleet of Pakistan Air Force on Thursday.

A ceremony for the formal induction of JF-17 Thunder aircraft was held at one of the PAF’s operational bases. Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was chief guest on the occasion.

The Chief of the Air Staff addressing the Airmen congratulated the nation and the PAF personnel on the momentous occasion.

“The formal induction of JF-17 aircraft in the PAF is in line with our resolve to face all challenges with poise and self-confidence. The PAF has invested in the force multipliers like the Air-to-Air refuellers, UAVs and AEW&C aircraft to enhance our capacity and capability to undertake complex operations,” he said.

“ These new state-of-the-art inductions make it imperative that we train hard and prepare well to induct and integrate the new systems professionally and safely. The achievements of PAF leave no doubt in my mind that we are immensely capable and, as a team, can set and achieve still higher standards”.

“We are a peaceful nation with no aggressive designs and want to maintain peace with honour in our region. We are inducting new systems to keep pace with technology and maintain credible conventional balance of force, without which peace cannot be ensured in South Asia,” he said.

He said that the JF-17 would be put through its paces in the forthcoming Exercise Hi-Mark 2010.

The ‘JF-17 Thunder’ has the capability to undertake entire spectrum of offensive as well as defensive missions. By joining the elite ranks of PAF, the JF-17 would not only enhance the combat readiness of PAF but also form its back-bone in future.

The ceremony culminated when an A-5-III fighter led three JF-17 Thunder aircraft in a flypast following which a single JF-17 performed aerobatics over the venue.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

[Salman Haider]

Picture courtesy: Associated Press of Pakistan

[Abbas Ali]

Apparently PAF No. 26 Squadron 'Black Spiders' is the first one to be equipped with JF-17 Thunder. The aircraft flown by No. 26 Squadron from past to present include F-86 Sabre, F-6 and A-5 Fantan.

The emblem of PAF No. 26 Squadron 'Black Spiders' can be seen in following photo.


Abbas

[Salman Haider]

[Salman Haider]

[Adnan Anwar]

Awesome!

I would like PAF to install airbrakes into JF-17 instead of relying on brake parachute after landing. Second, Mach 1.8 is ok but for a mainstream fighter, it should be atleast Mach 2.0.

Otherwise PAF and Pakistan good job in getting Pakistan Aviation Industry to achieve such a huge milestone.

[Che]

Fighter planes very rarely have to pull mach 2...mach 1.8 is quite adequate for the role JF-17 will be performing...

BTW, F-18's (a "mainstream" fighter) top speed is also mach 1.8.

[TAILWIND]

Awesome!
I would like PAF to install airbrakes into JF-17 instead of relying on brake parachute after landing.

First of all airbrakes and brake parachute (called drag chute) are different things doing different but important functions. Yes the option is between a drag chute or a wheel brake to decelerate the aircraft durig landing role. In fighters mostly to save on the weight and complexity, drag chutes are preferred, only exception being the F-16 where we have no drag chute and wheel brakes do the job except for F-16 of scandanavian countries which have drag chute as the operate from snow covered runways mostly.

Second, Mach 1.8 is ok but for a mainstream fighter, it should be atleast Mach 2.0.

The airstaff branch of an airforce prepares air staff requirements of any weapon system which precisely define each and every tecnical, tactical and design parameter depending upon the intended role and task and mind you its a compromise between the desirable and achievable. So let PAF choose what the need, perhaps they know it better.

[Adnan Anwar]

Awesome!
I would like PAF to install airbrakes into JF-17 instead of relying on brake parachute after landing.

First of all airbrakes and brake parachute (called drag chute) are different things doing different but important functions. Yes the option is between a drag chute or a wheel brake to decelerate the aircraft durig landing role. In fighters mostly to save on the weight and complexity, drag chutes are preferred, only exception being the F-16 where we have no drag chute and wheel brakes do the job except for F-16 of scandanavian countries which have drag chute as the operate from snow covered runways mostly.

Second, Mach 1.8 is ok but for a mainstream fighter, it should be atleast Mach 2.0.

The airstaff branch of an airforce prepares air staff requirements of any weapon system which precisely define each and every tecnical, tactical and design parameter depending upon the intended role and task and mind you its a compromise between the desirable and achievable. So let PAF choose what the need, perhaps they know it better.

I also know the difference between drag chutes and air brakes. That was not point, I was making.

Since we do not get snow all year round like Scandanavian countries like Norway, PAF is only using them for cost saving purpose, Airbrakes are only used to slow down the aircraft during flight and also F-16 is not the only US fighter jet with air brakes, F-15 as you know has its signature air brake right behind the cockpit in form of a rectangular shaped hydraulic panel that comes out of the fuselage. Same is the case with MiG-29 and Su-30.

But PAF can make the JF-17 more attractive to potential buyers by getting rid of the drag chute and have the air brakes do the slowing down of the aircraft.

I think PAF is limited to, in terms of engine choices, they has been a lot of talk that JF-17 is very underpowered for the role it is required to take. I know it has the maneuverability and agility that is expected of it but payload capacity is not high enough that PAF wants it to carry due to engine power concerns. Thats just a thought.

[Guru]

The so called air brakes (The correct air force terminology is speed brakes) are meant for rapid deceleration during flight. They are of very little/no use for reducing speed after landing. The drag chute is an efficient deceleration device and it is used on various high landing speed aircraft. In the PAF, it has been an integral part of most of the Chinese origin aircraft because of their out dated aerodynamic designs necessitating high approach and landing speeds.
Modern day fighters like the F-16 normally do not require use of drag chute since their improved aerodynamics permits landing at relatively lower speeds.

[Abbas Ali]

April 11 - APP photos showing PAF No. 26 Squadron "Black Spiders" re-equipment with JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft ceremony attended by PAF Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman on April 11, 2011. Previously No. 26 Squadron was operating A-5 Fantan aircraft, according to news reports.

Proabably the ceremony marked the completion of JF-17 induction process in No. 26 squadron.


Note F-86 Sabre in the background.


JF-17 Thunder (10-113) with No. 26 Squadron "Black Spiders" markings on tail. Nose section and cockpit canopy of an A-5 parked between the two JF-17s is also visible.

The same JF-17 Thunder (10-113) of No. 26 Squadron "Black Spiders" attended Farnborough International Airshow 2010 in United Kingdom in July 2010 as seen in following photo.


Click here to see large photo.

Abbas

[Salman Haider]

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force presenting the squadron color to squadron commander during Re-Equipment ceremony of No. 26 Squadron of Pakistan Air Force.

[Salman Haider]

JF-17 fighter jets inducted in PAF's No. 26 Squadron
April 11, 2011

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force spokesperson said on Monday that JF – 17 Thunder Jet fighters have been inducted into the PAF’s 26th Squadron.

Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Jet fighters have been designed in collaboration with China but have been manufactured indigenously.

The spokesperson said that the induction took place during a special ceremony at a PAF operational base.

Pakistan Air Force chief Rao Qamar Suleman made an address during the ceremony and thanked the Chinese government for its cooperation in preparing the jets.

He said Pakistan is in a state of war and the air force will do everything in its power to defend the nation.

He added the 26th Squadron previously had A5 Jet fighters only and that the JF-17 Jets will also be soon inducted in the 16th Squadron as well.

Source: Express Tribune

[Abbas Ali]

April 11, 2011, Pakistan Television (PTV) news report about Pakistan Air Force (PAF) No. 26 Squadron "Black Spiders" re-equipment with JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft ceremony attended by PAF Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman on April 11, 2011.



Abbas

[Uzair Ansari]

it's been around one and a half week JF 17's first landed at OPPS and were flying daily .And I also saw a topic here regarding the fighters A5 that they were grounded,but i still see them flying almost daily here.The airfield was closed today for commercial training due to cermoney held today for JF17's.