ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured first order for its JF-17 Thunder fighter jet at the Paris Air Show.
Air Commodore Khalid Mahmood, the Pakistan air force officer who leads sales and marketing efforts for the type, said that the contract has been signed with an Asian country, declining the customer’s identity and the number of aircraft. Deliveries will start in 2017, he added.
The aircraft is making its flying debut at this year’s air show. Pakistan’s air force has brought three examples this year. One will appear on the static display, one will appear in the flying display, and the third will serve as a backup.
The JF-17 contingent at Paris this year is 80 strong, representing a significant marketing push. Khalid says the show is a good venue for meeting prospective customers from French speaking countries. Pakistan produces 58% of the airframe and China 42%. The JF-17 is powered by a single Klimov RD-93 engine.
