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.
Get Timely Pakistani Defence News
Unmatched depth on the JF-17, Project Azm, Hangor submarine, Babur, Fatah, and more. Be the first to know about Pakistan's next-gen UAVs, USVs, and emerging platforms.
