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Is Pakistan’s ‘PFX’ Fighter Vaporware?

Pakistan's past history of handing an original fighter program does not bode well for the PFX.

Hero image for a blog post on Pakistan's JF-17 PFX program. The picture shows a graphic concept or illustration of a fighter aircraft.


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In early 2024, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) revealed a new fighter program called the “JF-17 PFX.” No other details were provided about the program, but a more recent video began referring to it as simply the “PFX” (i.e., without ‘JF-17’ in the name).

It is still unclear what the “PFX” is – or, for that matter, what it stands for (analysts speculate that it could refer to “Pakistan Fighter Experimental”). However, during notable events (such as the 2024 Pakistan Day Parade) and through the local media, the PAF indicated that the PFX would be a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft and a piece of its vision to build a “next generation air force.”

Nonetheless, the details are still scarce and, in turn, the program’s status or overall health is opaque. Moreover, the PAF’s past history with handling platform development through Project AZM and Air Headquarters’ (AHQ) push to import fighters are clear warning signs of PFX being in jeopardy.

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Bilal Khan

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.

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