Has JF-17 Found Its Second Buyer at Dubai Air Show 2015?

Did PAC has win export contract from second buyer at Dubai Air Show 2015 as is being reported in the media after securing the first deal at International Paris Air Show earlier this year? 

Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) and PAC signed the deal with an unidentified buyer at Dubai Air Show according to Chinese Daily but the identity of the buyer remains disclosed. Interestingly, the identity of the first buyer at International Paris Show was also not disclosed. This secrecy by both PAC and AVIC is making it impossible to confirm if this is a confirm second order or the previous deal is being discussed again by both Chinese and Pakistani experts. 

Liu Yu, deputy head of AVIC’s military aircraft trade wing highlighted the prospects of Thunder's export,  “Several potential buyers have expressed to us their strong intention of introducing the aircraft, and they have performed comprehensive assessments of the plane,” 

Pakistan Air Force officer dealing in sales and marketing, Air Marshal Khalid Mahmood said, “A contract has been signed with an Asian country.” However the name of the country was not disclosed and deliveries are likely to begin in 2017.

The JF-17 aircraft has previously participated in various air shows around the world, including Farnborough Air Show (in the UK), Zhuhai Air Show (China), Turkish Air Show (Turkey) and the Dubai Air Show (UAE).

25% Increase in JF-17 Thunder Production in 2016

In order to meet the local and export order requirements, PAF is going to boost the production of JF-17 Thunder, PAF's median fighter jet, in 2016, top PAF officials told the media.

Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed, chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), was quoted saying, "We are in active negotiations with serious buyers from Asia, Africa and the Middle East for JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak and are quite optimistic of signing agreements soon," Air Marshal Ahmed told Khaleej Times at the Dubai Airshow.

Pakistan has already secured the first export order from an undisclosed Asian buyer for its JF-17 Thunder jet fighters at Paris Air Show in June earlier this year. 

Air Marshal also made Pakistan's requirements clear at the occasion."We are looking for orders of about 250 aircraft in addition to international sales in the next few years. I'm very hopeful that we would be able to sign another customer for JF-17 Thunder very soon," Air Marshal Ahmed said. 

This statement by chairman PAC hints a solid progress as far as export effort of JF-17 are concerned. Military aviation industry experts are on the agreement that JF-17 has created serious interest among many developing nations around the world and now PAC is pushing for converting this interest into solid export orders. Major selling point of the JF-17 is its cost, which is likely to be in the rage of $16-$20 depending upon the requirement of client. This price is almost one fourth of US-made F-16 Falcon aircraft.

Telling about new capacity enhancement of JF-17 manufacturing factory at PAC Air Marshal Javail Ahamd told, "Hopefully, we will be producing 20 aircraft at the aeronautical complex," he added.Currently, PAC is producing 16 aircraft annually.

"It takes 10-12 months to garner all resources for production and that is enough time to meet the export commitment. We have been working very closely with our Chinese partners to further increase the production capacity," he told.

Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research, said the JF-17 Thunder sales prospects in the GCC states look very robust given the ongoing security concerns in the region. However, pricing remains an issue to give the jet a chance to effectively compete against other single-seat fighters.

"Given the strong relationship Pakistan enjoys with the likes of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, it's possible export orders would come from these nations first," Ahmad told Khaleej Times.

JF-17 Thunder, which was first inducted in 2010, is co-developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China. It is deployed for aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception with an operational ceiling of 55,000 feet. "Pakistan Aeronautical Complex has the capacity to enhance JF-17 Thunder production rates. We initially started at a slow phase and are manufacturing 16 aircraft this year," the chairman said, adding that 12 aircraft have already been produced in 2015 so far and four more will be ready by year-end.

Super Mushak Export:

To a question about Super Mushak, he said Pakistan has already signed a contract for trainer aircraft with Iraq and two more deals are likely to mature in coming months.

"We are actively in negotiations with two other countries in the GCC and Mena region. Some African countries are also keen to buy Super Mushshak, which is a very good military trainer aircraft," he said.

Pakistan signed two deals with Iraq in May 2014 to supply 20 Super Mushshak MFI-17 aircraft and give training to Iraqi Air Force. Denmark, Norway, Iran, Oman, Syria and Saudi Arabia are among other customer of Super Mushshak, which is on static and aerial display at the Dubai Airshow.

Analysis - New Missile Systems for JF-17 Thunder

By Shahzad Masood Roomi

The evolution of Pak-China joint venture in military aviation, JF-17 Thunder, continues as two new missile systems made their debut at Paris Air Show where PAF also secured very first export order for Thunder. It seems that latest additions to the arsenal of JF-17 Thunder are focused on enhancing the strike capabilities of this fighter jet. Both these missiles system made their first appearances at Paris Air Show 2015 where JF-17 Thunder made its very first appearance.  

First weapon system is the C-705KD missile which is an IIR/TV-guided air launched ground-attack version of C-705 that was revealed at the 2012 Zhuhai airshow. C-705 is a planer wing derivative of the C-701/704 Family which are similar in general outlook and performance to French Exocet family, available with a range of active radar seekers and electro-optical terminal seekers.C-705 has a range of A Pakistani source said up to four C-705KDs could be carried by the JF-17. Before Pakistan, the Indonesian Navy has equipped its newly developed Sampari-class KCR-60M-class missile attack craft with C-705 anti-ship missiles as well. 

The second new weapon displayed with the JF-17 for the first time is the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) CM-102 anti-radiation missile. It was first revealed at the 2014 Zhuhai show, it has an advertised range of 100 km. A Pakistani source noted that other versions could have 50% to 70% further range. Prbably, this version would be the one which Pakistan will get as PAF already has a anti-radiation weapon with 100 KM range i.e. Brazilian MAR-1 which reportedly has been integrated with the PAF's Thunders aircraft already.

According to well placed sources, a new AESA radar is under development in China right now for planned Block-III configuration of Thunder fighter jet. Once completed, a new wave of Chinese missile integration with Thunder would be seen. This would possibly include new generation WVR and BVR weapons.

ANALYSIS:

The growing strike capabilities of JF-17 Thunder clearly shows the prevailing strategic thinking of PAF and inclusion of Thunder in Pakistan Navy's aviation wing. PAF considers growing Indian maritime capabilities a serious threat and JF-17 in Pakistan Navy is considering deployment of air power as a counter strategy in which, along with other aerial platforms, JF-17 Thunder would play a critical role. This assertion is further endorsed by the fact that earlier, C-803 anti-ship cruise missile have also been integrated onto Thunders. It looks like, PAF/PN would deploy JF-17 Thunder in air sea battle in split roles. PAF escorting PN fighters carrying anti-ship payloads.