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JF-17 Block-3 Production Crosses 20 Units
Bilal Khan
Founder of Quwa, Bilal has been researching Pakistani defence industry and security issues for over 15 years. His work has been cited by Pakistan's National Defence University (NDU), the Council of Foreign Relations, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Centre of Airpower Studies and many others. He has a Hons. B.A in Political Science and Masters of Interntional Public Policy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
On 11 July, footage emerged of a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17C Block-III with the serial number “323” – i.e., the 23rd Block-III unit. This indicates that production of the Block-III has crossed 20 units and is now nearing the current 30-unit order placed by the PAF.
The JF-17C/Block-III is the latest and current variant of the Thunder. The first Block-III prototype flew in 2019 and entered serial production in 2022. Its main improvements over the JF-17 Block-II include the KLJ-7A active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, helmet mounted display and sight (HMD/S) system, and integrated electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite.
The JF-17C can deploy the newly acquired PL-15E long-range air-to-air missile (LRAAM), which offers a stated range of 145 km. It can also launch the PL-10E high off-boresight air-to-air missile (HOBS AAM), which the HMD/S can cue for within-visual-range (WVR) engagements. It also seems that the JF-17C is capable of deploying the Taimur air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), which can be used against fixed and moving targets (including surface warships) at a range of up to 280 km.
The JF-17C may also have some commonality with the J-10CE, the PAF’s other AESA radar-equipped fighter aircraft. For example, it appears that both fighters use the same HMD/S model, which is custom fabricated for the pilot’s head measurements. This creates an interesting dynamic where a pilot who is initially qualified on the JF-17C could be reassigned to the J-10CE later into their career; they can take their HMD/S with them between fighter platforms (which may include J-31 in future as well). Moreover, both the J-10CE and JF-17 can deploy the same AAMs, such as the PL-15E and PL-10E…
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