Pakistan Inches Closer to Inducting the JF-17 Block 3 Plus

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) sent three of its JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter aircraft to the 2019 Paris Air Show, which took place from 17 to 23 June. Though the JF-17 flew at the event, much attention had gone into outlining the JF-17 Block 3, i.e., the JF-17’s first major iterative update.

Currently, the PAF has slated the JF-17 Block 3’s maiden flight for the end of 2019. It then expects to fly the fighter operationally in 2020. In an interview, the PAF Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Mujahid Anwar Khan, said that the PAF will also procure 26 twin-seat JF-17Bs alongside the 50 Block 3s.[1]