Pakistan Air Force's first-ever squadron of multi-role JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, built in collaboration with China, will be raised and based in Peshawar by end of this year, it was announced today.
"The first ever Fighter Squadron of JF-17 Thunder aircraft will be raised and stationed at Pakistan Air Force Base, Peshawar," Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of PAF said during a visit to the air base.
"By the end of year 2009, full strength of JF-17 Thunder aircraft squadron, which will also be the first ever squadron in the world, will be operational at PAF Base, Peshawar," the newly-appointed PAF chief was quoted as saying by APP.
Suleman was named as PAF chief last month.
The JF-17 Thunder, also known in China as the Chengdu FC-1 Fierce Dragon, is a light-weight multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex of Pakistan.
China delivered the first two aircraft to PAF in March 2007. The JF-17 is designed to be a cost-effective fighter which can meet the tactical and strategic needs of air forces of developing countries.
In January 2008, Pakistan started limited serial production of JF-17 at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. Full-fledged production of JF-17 is expected to start this year, reports said.
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