The Pakistani Air Force on Thursday inducted the first squadron of JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft it jointly developed with China as part of its efforts to maintain a “balance” of conventional forces in the region.
The induction of the jets was held at one of the PAF's operational bases, said an official statement.
PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman was the chief guest at the event.
“We are a peaceful nation with no aggressive designs and want to maintain peace with honour in our region.
We are inducting new systems to keep pace with technology and maintain a credible conventional balance of force, without which peace cannot be ensured in South Asia,” said Air Chief Marshal Suleman in his address.
The PAF has invested in force multipliers like air-to-air refuelling aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and airborne early warning and control aircraft to enhance its “capacity and capability to undertake complex operations”, he said.
Air Chief Marshal Suleman said the JF-17 jets would be put through their paces in the forthcoming Hi-Mark 2010 exercise.
Officials said JF-17 Thunder had the ability to “undertake the entire spectrum of offensive and defensive missions”. The jets would form the PAF's backbone, they said.
The JF-17, which has a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and is designed to carry short and long-range air-to-air missiles, will replace the PAF's ageing A-5, F-7P and Mirage jets.
The PAF currently has about 10 JF-17 jets that were built in China.
Another 40 jets will be built at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex under an agreement signed with China last year.
