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Nigerian Air Force Chief confirms expected JF-17 deliveries
01 December 2016
By Bilal Khan
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Chief of Air Staff (COAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar confirmed that the NAF is expecting the delivery of three JF-17 multi-role fighters from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) (defenceWeb). These will accompany six Mi-35N assault helicopters and three EMB-314 Super Tucano close air support (CAS) aircraft from Russia and Brazil, respectively.
Notes & Comments:
In September, during the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) air show, the Government of Nigeria and PAC signed a memorandum-of-understanding (MoU) for the purchase of an undisclosed number of JF-17 lightweight multi-role fighters.
It had seemed that the MoU would be a prelude to a final contract, but during the 2016 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), which took place in Karachi from 22 to 25 November, the term “MoU” was used to refer to inked contracts. With the NAF COAS essentially placing three JF-17s within the NAF’s procurement pipeline, it appears that the contract was signed at AAD.
PAC will be supplying the JF-17s along with 10 Super Mushshak basic trainers, which the NAF ordered in June. In August, the NAF Chief also called upon Pakistan to provide training and capacity building support in various domains, such as the NAF’s special operations forces and flight training. In fact, PAF pilots will be joining the NAF’s 310 Flying School to help train future NAF pilots.
54 Comments
by Andrei Romanov
JF-17 proved to be far better than Americo-Israeli Tejas in terms of popularity with so much Countries showed interest and now deliveries Great.
So much countries impressed with combination of JF-17 And Mushkak trainer.
Good Keep Going.
by Nicky
The JF-17 is proven to be the 21st Century’s MIG-21. The JF-17 is perfect for countries who can’t afford Fighters from America, Europe and Russia. It’s prefect for places such as Central America, South America, Africa, Middle East and Asia. It’s also perfect for Air forces who are on a TIGHT budget.
by Jack More
American israeli tejas.Really?Can you prove?I bet never ever.
by Matthys Jacobs
It could very well become the Mig-21.
A low cost fighter with a large technological upgrade package that suits the prospective user and it’s regional threat.
by Matthys Jacobs
I think he is referring to the Elbit radar and other systems used in the Tejas.
There’s also just under a dozen israeli firms who are contractors on the project.
Also it uses the US made General Electric F404. In future upgrades it will use the F-414.
I’m not sure what the issue is with the Tejas if if does use these providers though.
The only disadvantage I can think of is the inability to export to countries who currently do not purchase israeli or US products.
by Sami Shahid
I guess JF-17 is an advanced substitute of Mirage 2000 and MIG-21.
by Nicky
The JF-17 is perfect for countries who are on a tight budget
by Manju
I basic fact you tend to ignore isTejas is still at initial phases of induction where there can be no comparison.India is still considering its export options because the prime aim is not export but fulfillment.Coming back to JF-17 it doesn’t have any Pakistani components and can be termed as a Chinese plane(which China itself doesn’t use) meant for export to low cost markets.
by Manju
Well said,That is the reason why India is working on Kaveri Engine with the expertise of Snecma(French firm that makes engines for Rafael under the offset clause of Rafale deal).A lot R&D work is still pending on replacing Israeli avionics with Indigenous stuff.Will take about 5-6 years to get a complete Indigenous version of Texas(that might be saperately produced with exports in mind).
by Headstrong
And yet, the JF17 was kept away in Bahrain in Jan 2016? Maybe to avoid unflattering comparisons with the same Tejas?
by Nicky
You forgot Central America and South America countries such as Cuba, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, and Uruguay as well. Even Asian Countries like Laos, Cambodia and Burma as well. It makes me wonder why Pakistan isn’t doing a JF-17 Demo team and doing a Road show to promote the JF-17 as a low cost alternative to the Mirage 2000, F-16, F/A-18, Gripen, Rafale and Typhoon.
by EBR
it’s good Asian nations are having own grown defense systems.
by Aamir
The development path to both aircraft is different, in that the Tejas was developed over 30 year timeframe and was unveiled as a completed platform. The JF17 on the other hand was conceptualised and test flown in less than 10 years, the fighter will then be developed/upgraded in various blocks.
by Andrei Romanov
10 years vs 30 years
so you should understand what JF-17 will become in 30 Years.
by Andrei Romanov
Thanks for reminding me of South and central american nation.
by Aga Majid
Thank you Mr.Romanov:JF-17 has blood,sweat, and tears of Sino-Pak engineers and technicians. Pakistan to Stick With superior Russian Engine for JF-17 Fighter Jet: http://quwa.org/2016/04/22/pakistan-might-consider-klimov-rd-33mk-jf-17/
by Aga Majid
You are an Indian so any opinion you express in not unbiased but mean-spirited Manju Maharaj
by Aga Majid
Way to go Jack!You are so right,
by Aga Majid
India will NEVER be able to build reliable fighter jets,Here are reasons given by an Indian Engineer
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-India-not-capable-of-building-its-own-fighter-aircraft-like-the-Eurofighter-Typhoon-and-Dassault-Rafale
by Dodo
JF-17 is affordable.
by Prado
When will india master art of making a toaster?
by Syed Bushra
Looking forward to seeing JF-17 Thunder flying in Nigerian skies.
by TheDarkKnight
So any plane who didn’t fly in Bahrain Airshow Jan 2016 (BAS16) must be inferior to LCA? http://www.bahraininternationalairshow.com/trade/Content/Aircraft/5_7/
As you can see JAS39, F15, F18, Mig29, Rafale … none of them flew (all these a/c static or completely absent) in BAS16, so they must be inferior to LCA and their OEMs were trying to avoid comparisons with the center of the military aviation in this world: LCA Tejas from India !!!
PS: JF-17 has flown in much bigger and prestigious international airshows than BAS 16 such as Paris, Dubai and Zhuhai … why didn’t LCA fly in any of those airshows ever? Was Tejas even invited to fly in these airshows ?
by Headstrong
1. The aircraft you mention did not register to participate and then disappear from the venue. The JF-17 did – without explanation
2. Tejas was not invited to earlier air shows because it wasn’t ready. When it was ready, and offered to display and fly in Bahrain, it was.
by Andrei Romanov
It’s look like you are fighting some one.
by Headstrong
I’m sorry you feel that way. It was just an effort to set the record straight
by Andrei Romanov
It’s okay you understood me,
Glad to know you are Sensible & Mindful.
by Aamir
JF 17 started off as a basic model and will mature with each block. Tejas started off as a fully developed aircraft and there is not much you can do with it. Also 30 years from now you will have been working on The Tejas for 60 years…. that is persistence.
by Headstrong
If Tejas is a fully developed aircraft, pray what is Tejas Mk 1A and Mk2? Not too different from the concept of JF-17 Blocks 2 and 3, are they?
And, as yet, my basic question goes unanswered. Why did the JF-17 get pulled out of the Bahrain air show, the only instance of it being pulled out? Just a coincidence that Tejas was showcased there for the first time?
Who knows what will be the scenario 30 years from now? By then AMCA and the PMF could well be reality. Persistence does pay. Tejas is India’s first attempt – who knows where it would lead? Maybe JF-17 Block ___ would be the premier fighter for second tier nations, the most viable for those who cannot afford the big guns. A lot can happen in 30 years…
by Faheem Akhtar
You just refer to a video on youtube which shows Tejas performing
by Headstrong
Are you saying Texas did not fly at BAS?
by Steve
Mr Headstrong I don’t understand that for a big country why do Indians themselves hypenate themselves with Pakistan and start arguing and fighting for no reason. There seems to be a severe inferiority complex and historical grievances. The discussion was on Nigerian JF17’s not on Tejas. Please stay on topic.
by Kashif
Exactly
by Matthys Jacobs
The Kaveri engine has been in development since the early 90’s, some Israeli and French ex-colleagues of mine visited India on big contracts during the 90’s to work on the programme.
Israel and France dominate the aftermarket avionics industry though. What India has in its favour is its massive economies of scale.
by Matthys Jacobs
I would not say it’s perfect without further understanding it’s running cost i.e. flight cost per hour, maintenance cost etc.
What we see with countries with a tight budget is that they cannot afford maintenance and needed flight hours to maintain competence.
by Headstrong
You do realise that I’m only responding. Maybe your comment would be better addressed to those who initiate these comparisons, which I’m sure you know in most cases who they are. As a hint, take a cursory look at the newspapers of both countries
by Smoking a Tejas
Actually, the Argentinian’s did try for the JF 1 7 but the deal fell through because of British pressure and financial issues.
by Smoking a Tejas
Considering the design parameters and the use of a proven powerplant, definitely lower than comparative 4th generation platforms. But it’s not so low tech that it won’t need a competent support framework in place. Relative low cost is not the same as the old Soviet fly and discard policy.
by Matthys Jacobs
I don’t doubt the cost would be lower to manufacture than other 4th Generation Platforms.
However, the Klimov RD-93 variant of the RD-33 has a shorter service life albeit the use of one engine reduces the maintenance time, the issue with the core of the RD-series is the 13 stages thus the cost of maintenance compared to say the F404 or F414 is significantly higher.
Although the JF-17 is around 40% less than the cost of the next comparable Western made 4th Generation Aircraft, it’s average flight cost per hour is still around $14,000 if wet costs are included.
I think where the JF-17 could really become a competitor where the Mig-29 for instance failed is the maintenance aspect and support. Using the Swedish SAAB Gripen as an example, it has the lowest cost of maintenance and operation of any comparable Western Aircraft because it was designed to operate within a specified budget. pakistan spends a considerable amount on it’s military. Potential clients in Sub Saharan Africa have shown a historical inability to maintain their platforms.
I think only three companies outside of Russia can do a complete overhaul of the RD-33 series but if Pakistan were to become a component manufacturer as well as provide support services to client countries instead of the engines having to be sent abroad for maintenance then it could be a major player in the industry.
Arming it with a wider range of munitions and technological packages would also see a greater product.
All in all, it’s a great aircraft and fit for purpose. Pakistan has done well to align itself with China on this Aircraft.
by Nicky
Actually it fell because the Argentinian’s wanted a JF-17 with Western Avionic’s and European or israeli weapons.
by Steve
I don’t know what you are talking about. This is a pattern repeated across the internet. Don’t you get tired of singing praises of an average fighter produced by a third world country. I mean let’s get real here, ok?
by Headstrong
Ok, let’s get real – please point out where I’ve been ‘singing praises’. I suggest you take your frustration out on those who brought in Tejas into the discussion in the first place.
And you really want to talk about an ‘average fighter’ produced by a ‘third world country’ on this forum? Wouldn’t that be really ironic?
by Nicky
Their is an article by War is boring on the JF-17 called “This Is the Ultimate MiG-21” https://warisboring.com/this-is-the-ultimate-mig-21-715bb9297261#.m4lmj3nqh
by Steve
Are you saying Tejas is not an average fighter and India is not a third world country. No comparisons please. You guys are the only people in the world who believe your own propaganda. ‘Nuff said..
by Headstrong
I am saying that for you to chide me for ‘singing praises’ of an ‘average fighter’ produced by a ‘third world country’ is ironic, when a cursory look at the conversation above tells you otherwise.
Even more irony when you claim that ‘you guys are the only people who believe your own propaganda’.
The biggest irony? All this on an article on the JF-17.
‘Nuff said indeed!
by Jack More
Ok then explain.
by Keyser
Actually the JF17 was never supposed to be there. It was a misprint by the organisers in the brochure. Of course some Indian nationalists have jumped all over this as definite proof that their aircraft is superior. The Jf17 was in Qatar flying a display which resulted in sales.
by Headstrong
If you insist…
The JF-17 was supposed to be there. Hanger space had been booked, and the organisers had been paid. Brochures are printed after written confirmation of participation.
As for claims of which aircraft is superior, please note the very first comment by Mr Andrei Romanov. Thereafter, note comments made subsequently. You may then decide who is claiming what.
by Omar
yea more than 30 years and still in “initial phase” says a lot about the project. That basic fact only solidifies @disqus_LZGHwJfXPi:disqus comment, btw there is a good amount of discussion out there about how local tejas is and by no means someone touting teja’s as a worthy fighter jet can whine about JF17. Keep in mind the headline of this report that you are commenting on.
by Omar
Its kind of childish to assume if they’re not at the same show some kind of special “comparison” is being missed or avoided. Maybe they wanted to avoid comparing the overwhelming flight and operation record of Tejas.
by TheDarkKnight
1. Why any explanation is needed and to whom? And especially to our Indian friends?
It could be a miscommunication on PAC or BAS part … either party could have taken a tentative decision as a final one? Or PAC may have just genuinely changed their decision due to cost, budget, planning (participate this airshow instead of that where the potential for exports are more etc.).
Anyway as far as I can remember PAC simply said that they don’t want to participate as they have participated in enough airshows in that year, and will participate in other airshows judicially based on budget (its not cheap!) and export/marketing potential for each airshow. Its simple as that! Why make it a point of avoiding LCA? Was there going to be a live combat between them in an arena … galdiator style. Both aircrafts werent going to fly together? Comparisons can be so easily made by experts, journalists and pilots who have observed both aircrafts flying. Infact detailed comparisons based on specs on paper, and flight videos and live witness accounts are there in the media … so what was there to avoid? Nothing!
Here is one comparison video on takeoffs of both a/c; notice jf17 is pithcing up with landing gears down … where as tejas gained speed in air, retracted gears and then pitch up.
https://youtu.be/PnA_OF73HQU
Anyway this is just one perofrmance … still wont declare any one inferior or superior based on this alone.
2. Agree. And this absense in an airshow must not be used to as areason to state that LCA is inferior to anyother aircraft … or HAL was scared etc.
by TheDarkKnight
Lol any proof of organizers paid and brochure printed? All I remember is that the BAS website showed tentative participation, but then later removed after PAC clarified or decided against participation. To say that PAC cancelled and wasted money just because Tejas decided to fly in a foreign airshow for the first time is laughable. Anyway for sake of argument even if PAC cancelled participation, how does that prove anything about Tejas vs JF17? Was there going to be a live excersise with Tejas vs JF17? And what kind of additional comparisons could have been made, if both had flown in the same airshow? They have both flown publicly and experts, journalists, pilots etc have witnessed both a/c in different airshows and comparisons between the two can be easily made … infact both planes have been evaluated and compared using their specs on paper, live flight performance accounts, flight performance from airshow videos, weapon package, avionics etc. already in extensive detail. What more could have been revealed about JF17 vs Tejas in that airshow, that hasnt already been discussed or analyzed yet?
Here is a comparison video regarding takeoffs of both a/c. Notice jf17 aggressive near vertical takeoff; it pitches up right after in air with landing gears down, where as tejas gets in air first, gains more speed in air, retracts landing gear and then finally pitches up.
https://youtu.be/PnA_OF73HQU
Regards
by Manju
So you mean to say Tejas is Americo-Israeli but JF-17 is 100% Pakistani not Chinese and Russian.Heights of hypocrisy,By the way neither JF-17 nor Super Mushak are 100% Pakistani planes.They are just assembled in Pakistan and rest all brag and compare without thoughts.
by Andrei Romanov
Ah again ….